In last season’s hockey preview, then-senior forward Brian Tudrick said he didn’t “think he could take another year like [last year].”

Guess what? He did.

For the second straight season, Northeastern was the only team that failed to qualify for the Hockey East playoffs. So, how about a three-peat?

After setting a school record for a winless streak (0-9-2) to start a season last year, things should only get better.

Should.

Northeastern embarks on its new campaign Friday in Dayton, Ohio against the nation’s top-ranked University of Michigan Wolverines. NU will face the University of Miami (Ohio) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

“[So far] practice has been really tough, really hard,” said senior defenseman Tim Judy. “At the same time they’re also very skilled and we’re learning a lot from each other. We’re ready to play a different team, we’re tired of hitting each other. We’re looking forward to the upcoming games and just want to see where wer’re at compared to other teams.”

Northeastern returns home next Friday to face defending National Champion University of Denver at 7 p.m.

Key returns: Jason Guerriero, center; Mike Morris, forward; Keni Gibson, goalie; Tim Judy, defense; Donny Grover, defense

Key losses: Eric Ortlip, forward; Brian Tudrick, forward; Trevor Reschny, forward

Forwards: Senior captain Jason Guerriero and junior winger Mike Morris are the catalysts for NU’s offense, but need to start faster than they did last year. Indicative of Northeastern’s struggles, Guerriero had no assists and Morris had just one goal in the team’s first 10 games of last year.

Scoring was one of last year’s biggest problems, as the team failed to pot more than two goals in 19 of 34 contests (including nine in a row). That simply will not do in ’04-’05.

Again, if the final two weeks of last year are any indication, putting pucks in the net should not be an issue this season. Over the final five games of last season, NU scored 20 goals.

Replacing Ortlip’s goal-scoring sense and Tudrick’s work ethic won’t be easy, though. Both players were on the ice in key situations and were emotional leaders on a team of hard workers. Best bets to fill those shoes? Sophomores Yale Lewis and Aaron Moore.

Northeastern’s first line, with Guerriero, Morris and likely Ray Ortiz should be one of the best in Hockey East. After that, NU will need to scrap for as many goals as possible. Freshmen and NHL draftees Josh Roberston and Carter Lee should provide punch but counting on freshmen to contribute in Hockey East play is always dicey.

Grade: B-

Defense:

With all eight defensemen back, and a nice mix of skill and power, the Northeastern defense should be dependable. In fact, it needs to be. Judy, along with sophomores Steve Birnstill and Bryan Cirullo, give the Huskies blueliners capable of moving the puck out of their own zone, while Jon Awe and Grover will physically punish opposing forwards.

Grade: B

Goalies:

Gibson set single-season and career shutout records last year with four, and Northeastern will lean on the Stittsville, Ontario native for the fourth straight year. He has the confidence of his coach and teammates, and with reliable defenders helping him out, will even improve upon last year’s successful season.

“We have confidence in Gibby, we think he’s going to stop every shot,” Judy said. “It’s relieving to know we have someone back there that we can trust and that knows how to play the game and is smart.”

Grade: B+

Coaching:

Bruce Crowder’s team without a question improved in 2003-04. That, however, is not nearly enough to keep the chants of “Bruce Must Go,”from Matthews Arena. The most important stat for Crowder in the upcoming campaign? Wins. If he gets them, the fans can (and might) believe in him again. If the Huskies endure another extended losing streak, the chants will grow and paper bags will once again cover the Northeastern faithful.

This is Crowder’s year. The kids he brought to Huntington Avenue three years ago to make a difference in the team — Jason Guerriero, Keni Gibson, Tim Judy — are all seniors and leaders. If they (and the rest of the team) do not perform well, it could cost the two-time HE Coach of the Year his job.

The team has added a strong corps of assistant coaches, including Husky legend Bruce Racine. Racine’s influence on Gibson (both Ottawa natives) should keep the netminder’s head in the game, and when that happens, good things tend to happen for Northeastern.

“We’ve been on the ice officially for four days now, but you can already tell the little things he picks out and can help you with,” Gibson said. “He has so much to offer the whole team. I know a lot about him, being both from the Ottawa area, he’s pretty much a legend. He finds what makes you ready. He doesn’t tell you what you need to do to go out and be ready, he works with you to find what makes you click.”

Grade: C

Season outlook:

Northeastern will have to outwork teams and play stingy defense in order to win games. It’s not impossible, and if last season’s successful finale is any indication, these Huskies are capable of earning home-ice in the first round of the HE playoffs.

Prediction: 15-12-8, sixth in Hockey East