LYNN – The St. Mary?s boys hockey team was the last team left out of the Super 8 a season ago. They eventually wound up reaching the Division 1 North semifinals before Reading eliminated them as the Rockets went on to take home the state title.This season, coach Mark Lee?s Spartans are ready to try to make some more noise among the heavyweights of Division 1.?Last year, we skated right to the end against the Division 1 state champs so we?re not that far away,” Lee said. “We have a great nucleus returning to go with some new faces. I think that we will be a strong team but so are the teams that we?re going to play.”Leading the returnees for St. Mary?s, who ended up 16-7-2 last season, is senior captain Shawn MacBurnie. He finished as the Spartans? leading scorer with 13 goals and 29 points. Sophomore Dante Maribito joined him as part of a tough 1-2 punch and is back to skate on the top line after a 25-point freshman campaign.Also back is senior captain Jon Powers (5-10-15) and junior Connor Foley, who had 13 points despite missing much of last season with an injury. Sophomore Eric Pedro and senior Clay Yianacopolus also will be expected to see plenty of time up front.The Spartans have plenty of experience on defense, led by senior captain Joe Scalli. Also back are sophomore Andrew Kreamer and freshman Max McKay, who was a solid contributor as an eighth grader.The one spot where the Spartans do have to replace a huge cog is in net with the graduation of Bailey MacBurnie, who was one of the state?s top goaltenders. The cupboard isn?t bare between the pipes, though, as seniors Ryan Borders and Connor Jennings are back along with a freshman transfer, Andrew Larusso.?We are really fortunate that we have a couple of goalies in Borders and Jennings that have been in the program for a while and played in some big games,” Lee said.In addition to Larusso, the Spartans have several other talented transfers.Twins Mike and Mark Zampanti come over from Boston College High to play forward and defense, respectively. Junior Steve Tettoni comes over from Gloucester, while Brady McLaughlin comes in from Beverly.The Spartans open with a challenging month of December, beginning with their opener at home on Dec. 13 against Arlington Catholic and BC High on Dec. 15 at Connery RinkSt. Mary?s has scrimmages this week against Woburn, St. John?s Prep and Malden Catholic on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, respectively.?We put our feet in the fire right away,” Lee said of his team?s opening series of games. “We are going to have to be ready quick.”December ends with the Spartans playing in the Christie Serino Christmas Tournament against Super 8 runner-up Austin Prep and then either four-time defending Super 8 champ Malden Catholic or Hingham the following day.The Spartans have non-league games against Braintree, Smithfield, R.I., and North Shore power Newburyport before closing the season on Feb. 18 and 19 at the Springfield Cathedral Tournament.?We have a tough, competitive schedule,” Lee said. “Hopefully, that pays off come tournament time.”