2006-2007 HEADLINES
-Soik's All-American Honors Top Postseason Honors List (3/30/07)
-MCHA to Welcome Lake Forest to League in 2009-10 (3/29/07)
-Finlandia University Lions are the 2007 Harris Cup Champs!! (3/4/07)
-Lawrence Wins MCHA Consolation On Strength of Two Goals in Final 1:25 (3/4/07)
-League Announces Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, All-Conference Awards (3/4/07)
-MSOE Goes for Third-Straight Tournament Title Sunday (3/3/07)
-Harris Cup Champion to be Crowned in MCHA Tournament This Weekend (2/26/07)
-Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association Playoffs Start This Weekend (2/19/07)
-MSOE Earns Third-Straight MCHA Title in Last Game of Season (2/17/07)
-Top Two Seeds to be Determined in Last Week of Regular Season (2/12/07)
-Joe Searl of Lawrence Featured in Local Newspaper Article (2/6/07)
-Conference Action Heats Up as League Starts Last Month of Regular Season (2/5/07)
-Soik Breaks MCHA Career Assist Mark; Paquette Records No. 100 (1/29/07)
-Brian Soik of MSOE Featured in Article on USCHO.com (1/23/07)
-Searl Keeps Vikings Rolling; MSOE's Swallow Nets Career Point No. 100 (1/22/07)
-Finlandia/MSOE, Lawrence/Marian Split; Crookston Takes Three Points (1/15/07)
-Back to League Play After Non-Conference Slate to Start 2007 (1/8/07)
-MCHA Strikes Again: Sabres Surprise No. 4 UW-River Falls (1/4/07)
-Finlandia Knocks Off Nationally Ranked Team, Dropping #4 UW-Superior, 5-3 (12/16/06)
-MCHA Heads Into Holiday Break (12/11/06)
-Finlandia Stays Right Behind MSOE as Both Teams Sweep (12/4/06)
-All Six Teams Set to Square-off in Weekend Conference Series (11/27/06)
-MCHA Heads Into Thanksgiving Break With Light Schedule (11/20/06)
-League Alumni Dunbar and Moren Representing MCHA Professionally (11/14/06)
-Lawrence Gets Szkodzinski First Wins as Vikings and MSOE Earn Sweeps (11/13/06)
-MSOE Takes Early Conference Standings Lead (11/6/06)
-Read the MCHA Season Preview From USCHO.com (10/31/06)
-2007 Harris Cup Championship to be Hosted by Finlandia University (10/31/06)
-MCHA Opens 2006-07 Season Against Top-15 Opponents (10/30/06)
-Soik and Swallow Land Spots on Preseason All-USCHO Teams (10/29/06)
-MCHA Announces More Expansion Plans for 2007-08 (10/26/06)
-Ninth Season of MCHA Play Begins Tonight (10/24/06)
-Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association To Expand Next Season (10/23/06)
-MCHA Represented by MSOE in Preseason Poll (10/17/06)
-Awards Continue to Roll in for MSOE's Brian Soik (6/13/06)
-Lawrence University Tabs Mike Szkodzinski as New Head Coach (6/5/06)
-Lawrence Parts With Head Coach (5/8/06)

2006-2007 MCHA News & Notes

-March 30, 2007
Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association's Players and Coaches Collect Numerous Honors
The Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association recently concluded arguably the most successful season in its nine-year history: Three teams finished better than .500 overall (nearly four with Lawrence just a game under); both Finlandia and MSOE finished with 19 victories and a solid league-wide record against nationally-ranked teams - with the Raiders spending time in the Top 15 and the Lions receiving votes in the final poll.

That led to numerous postseason honors, most notably being Brian Soik of MSOE becoming the first MCHA player to earn All-American honors.

Note: The following story courtesy of MSOE's Sports Information Office.
MSOE’s Soik Named Division III All-American
SUPERIOR, Wis. (March 23, 2007) - The awards keep on piling up for MSOE’s senior forward Brian Soik, as he has joined 23 other NCAA division III hockey players being named as a RBK Hockey Division III Men's All-American selection, announced Friday at the NCAA Division III Men's Championships hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

Soik, the two-time MCHA Player of the Year, was selected to the West Region second team. Earlier that evening, he was also honored as one of eight finalists for the year’s Sid Watson Award, which recognizes the most outstanding player in Division III hockey for the year.

This is the first time an MSOE hockey player received All-American status. Soik becomes for the fifth All American in the school’s history and the first ever for a male MSOE athlete in a team sport.

He ends his Raider hockey career with impressive statistics. In 108 games, Soik scored 45 goals, added 81 assists for a total of 126 points, second on the MSOE career points list. This season in 26 games, Soik collected seven goals with 28 assists for 35 total points.

Coach Ostapina, extremely proud of Soik’s accomplishments, comments on the award. “As a coach, I’ve always felt that Brian Soik was All-American quality. It’s great that he and the league (MCHA) have been recognized as one of the best in the west,” said Ostapina. “Brian would be the first to tell you that this is a team award that he couldn’t accomplish anything without the help from his teammates, their hard work and dedication they put in."

The RBK Hockey All-American Teams are sponsored by RBK Hockey, an international leader in hockey equipment, and chosen by members of the American Hockey Coaches Association.

Player of the Year: G Andrew Gallant, Sr., Manhattanville
East Region, First Team
G Andrew Gallant, Sr., Manhattanville
D Arthur Fritsch, Jr., Colby
D Tom Maldonado, Jr., Middlebury
F Rick Cleaver, Jr., Norwich
F Mitch Stephens, Sr., Geneseo
F Neil Trimm, Jr., Neumann

West Region, First Team
G A.J. Bucchino, So., UW-River Falls
D Jim Henkemeyer, Fr., UW-River Falls
D Derek Paige, Sr., UW-Superior
F Marc Belanger, Jr., St. Norbert
F Aaron Johnson, Sr., Augsburg
F T.J. Dahl, Jr., UW-River Falls

East Region, Second Team
G Ryan Scott, Jr., Oswego
D Mike Gooch, Jr., Neumann
D John Halverson, Sr., Trinity
F Mike Hedden, So., Neumann
F Brendan McLaughlin, So., Oswego
F Greg Osborne, Sr., Colby

West Region, Second Team
G Mike Stone, Jr., UW-Stout
D John Paulson, Jr., St. Olaf
D Ryan Van Bockel, Sr., St. Thomas
F Derek Hansberry, So., UW-River Falls
F Nick Pernula, Jr., St. Thomas
F Brian Soik, Sr., MSOE

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Next up for the league was having four players earn spots on the All-USCHO.com D-III Team. Soik landed on the West Second Team a year after earning honorable mention status as a junior. He earned his second-straight MCHA Player of the Year award this season, finishing with 34 points (7G/27A), establishing a new mark for league assists in a season (24) and career (66) in the process. Finlandia's Josh Paquette, who led the league in scoring (46 points on 21G/25A) and tied the MCHA career points mark (99) as just a junior, landed on the honorable mention squad. MSOE's Blair Hanberg (honorable mention) and Marian College's Nick Cinquegrani (West Rookie Team honorable mention) rounded out the list.

Note: The following two stories courtesy of www.uscho.com.
MINNEAPOLIS — Manhattanville senior goaltender Andrew Gallant has been selected the USCHO.com National Player of the Year. The Summerville, PEI native led his team to the national semifinals this season, and had a goals against average of 1.91 and a save percentage of .928. USCHO.com has also named Oswego coach Ed Gosek National Coach of the year. Gosek led the Lakers to their first ever national title this season. The winners and all-star teams are selected by the USCHO.com staff. A complete list follows:

West First Team
Goal — AJ Bucchino, So., UW-River Falls
Defense — Jim Henkemeyer, Jr., UW-River Falls
Defense — John Paulson, Jr., St. Olaf
Forward — Tyler Dahl, Jr., UW-River Falls
Forward — Aaron Johnson, Sr., Augsburg
Forward — Nick Pernula, Jr., St. Thomas

West Second Team
Goal — Mike Stone, Jr., UW-Stout
Defense -— Andrew Derton, Sr., St. Norbert
Defense — Derek Paige, Sr., UW-Superior
Forward — Marc Belanger, Jr., St. Norbert
Forward — Derek Hansberry, So., UW-River Falls
Forward — Brian Soik, Sr., MSOE
Honorable Mention: Neal Carlson (Bethel), Sean Fish (UW-Stevens Point), Blair Hanberg (MSOE), Kyle Jones (St. Norbert), John Keseley (Gustavus Adolphus), Josh Paquette (Finlandia), Greg Peterson (UW-Eau Claire), Ryan Van Bockel, (St. Thomas), Jack Wolgemuth (UW-Stout)

West Rookie Team
Goal — Aaron Damjanovich, Bethel
Defense — Jordan Baird, St. Scholastica
Defense — Bobby Kuehl, UW-Stout
Forward — Braden Desmet, UW-Superior
Forward — Scott Motz, UW-Stout
Forward — Shane Wheeler, St. Norbert
Honorable Mention: David Adams (St. Olaf), Nick Cinquegrani (Marian), AJ Hau (Augsburg)

East First Team
Goal — Andrew Gallant, Sr., Manhattanville
Defense — Arthur Fritch, Jr., Colby
Defense — John Halverson, Sr., Trinity
Forward — Rick Cleaver, Jr., Norwich
Forward — Mitch Stephens, Sr., Geneseo
Forward — Neil Trimm, Jr., Neumann

East Second Team
Goal — Ryan Scott, Jr., Oswego
Defense — Mike Gooch, Jr., Neumann
Defense — Tom Maldonado, Jr., Middlebury
Forward — Mike Hedden, So., Neumann
Forward — Brendan McLaughlin, So., Oswego
Forward — Greg Osbourne, Sr., Colby
Honorable Mention: Mark Carragher (S. Maine), Jeff Grant (Mass.-Dartmouth), Mickey Gilchrist (Middlebury), Jeff Green (Mass.-Dartmouth), John Huchko (Castleton), Chris Mills (Manhattanville), Mike Polsonetti (Hobart), Steve Sankey (Geneseo), Ryan Woodward (Oswego)

East Rookie Team
Goal — DJ Delbuono, Skidmore
Defense — Mike Corbelle, Bowdoin
Defense — AJ Mikkelsen, Manhattanville
Forward — Pier-Luc Belanger, Plattsburgh
Forward — Ross Enmark, Curry
Forward — Matt Ward, Neumann
Honorable Mention: Steve Culbertson (Castleton), Gerard Heinz (Cortland), David Layne (Wesleyan), Todd Sheridan (Brockport)

D-III Coach of the Year: Ed Gosek, Oswego
Honorable Mention: Terry Watkins (UW-Stout)

D-III Player of the Year: Andrew Gallant, Manhattanville
Honorable Mention: Mitch Stephens (Geneseo)

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Edward Jeremiah Award Finalists Announced

(March 17, 2007) - Twelve coaches who have enjoyed on-ice success in 2006-07 have been named finalists for the Edward Jeremiah Award, given annually to the College Division (NCAA Division III) Men's Ice Hockey Coach of the Year. Named in honor of the former Dartmouth head coach, the Jeremiah Award will be presented at the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) Coach of the Year Banquet on Saturday, April 28, in Naples, Fla.

Heading the list of finalists is four-time Jeremiah Award winner Bill Beaney of Middlebury, as are his NCAA opponents this weekend, Tim Coghlin of St. Norbert College College, Ed Gosek of Oswego State, and Keith Levinthal of Manhattanville.

Other finalists represent winners of conference Coach of the Year honors. They are: Chris Brown, Augsburg (MIAC); Brian Dickinson (SUNYAC); Mark Ostapina, Milwaukee School of Engineering (MCHA); Chris Potter, Wesleyan (NESCAC); John Rolli, UMass-Dartmouth (ECAC Northeast Co-Coach); Neil Sinclair, Skidmore (ECAC East); R.J. Tolan, Wentworth (ECAC Northeast Co-Coach); Terry Watkins, UW-Stout (NCHA).

NCAA semifinalist Keith Levinthal of Manhattanville was also the ECAC West Coach of the Year. Voting will take place after this weekend's NCAA Men's Division III Frozen Four in Superior, Wis.

-March 29, 2007
Lake Forest to Join Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association in 2009
Foresters will leave Northern Collegiate Hockey Association after 17 years
-Courtesy of Lake Forest Sports Information Director Mike Wajerski

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Lake Forest College Athletic Director Jackie Slaats and Head Men’s Hockey Coach Tony Fritz announced Tuesday (March 27) that the program will join the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (MCHA) effective July 1, 2009. The Foresters are currently members of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) and will continue as full-fledged NCHA members for the next two seasons. Lake Forest will officially begin MCHA play in 2009-10.

The MCHA currently consists of Lawrence University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Adrian College, Marian College, Concordia University (Wis.), Finlandia University, Northland College, and the University of Minnesota Crookston. The league was formed in 1998 and Lawrence, MSOE, Marian, and Northland are the four remaining charter members. Crookston joined the conference a year later and Finlandia in 2004. The programs at Adrian and Concordia were recently started and are set to begin play in 2007-08.

“By joining the MCHA we are aligning ourselves with institutions of a similar academic profile and athletic philosophy,” stated Slaats. “Many of the league members are also located closer to Lake Forest than those in the NCHA and we compete against them in various other sports. While we have enjoyed our relationship with the NCHA, we look forward to the new rivalries that will be formed by this move.”

Lake Forest competed as an independent until Fritz took the program to the NCHA in 1992. “I’ve enjoyed competing in the NCHA for the last 15 years,” he began, “but I am extremely excited about this move. Competing against schools more like Lake Forest will have a very positive effect on the future of Forester Hockey. The shorter bus trips will benefit our student-athletes academically and athletically.”

The Lake Forest College women’s hockey team will continue competing in the NCHA. The MCHA does not currently field a women’s division.

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This marks the third new team to join the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association in the past six months. Concordia University (announced Oct. 23, 2006) and Adrian College (announced Oct. 26, 2006) will begin play in the MCHA next season.

"This is a great opportunity to add a school with a great hockey tradition," MCHA Commissioner Terry Brand said. "We are very happy to bring a team into the MCHA that has the experience they do as a program and for them to be able to compete with schools that are more similar to them."

-March 4, 2007
Sullivan's Late Goal Gives Finlandia Harris Cup Crown
-BOX SCORE-

The Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament Championship ended in a great battle between the Milwaukee School of Engineering and Finlandia University on Sunday in Hancock , Mich. After two ties and two lead changes, the Finlandia Lions are the 2007 Harris Cup Champions by a score of 4-3. With just 51 seconds to play, Ryan Sullivan scored his second goal of the game to give the Lions the crown.

“Wow, this is unbelievable … the feeling is just incredible,” Finlandia head coach Joe Burcar said. “I am extremely happy for the players. They have paid their dues and are deserving of this. This is why you play the game.”

The Lions were down 2-0 in the first period and saw MSOE tie the game at 3-3 with about six minutes to play, but emerged victorious in front of a packed house at the Houghton County Arena.

“We just kept battling,” Burcar said. “This was two great teams on the ice. There were lots of ups and downs but we kept pushing until we found a way.”

         

Finlandia held a 3-2 lead when Keith Johnstone scored on a power play 11:06 into the third. MSOE never gave up, getting the equalizer when RG Flath scored his second of the day with 6:01 to play to knot the score at 3-3. Just when everyone was thinking overtime, Sullivan gave his team the lead with a shot from just inside the blue line over the shoulder of the Raider keeper.

The Raiders jumped out to the early lead, getting a breakaway goal from Blair Hanberg  6:03 into the game and Flath’s first tally six minutes later to take the early 2-0 lead.

The Lions battled back, with Sullivan lighting the lamp at the 14:36 mark of the first to make it 2-1 at the end of the period. Josh Paquette tied the game at 2-2 in the middle of the second, burying an unassisted goal after a turnover.

Sullivan’s (pictured at left) heroics earned him MCHA Tournament MVP honors, and he was joined on the All-Tournament Team by teammates Joe Beaudry and Marc Marcotte. MSOE’s Jason Woll and Blair Hanberg and Lawrence ’s Billy Siers and Andrew Isaac rounded out the squad.

March 4, 2007
Lawrence Claims MCHA Consolation Victory, 4-2
-BOX SCORE-

A lot can happen in two minutes and 29 seconds, just ask Lawrence University and Marian College, who proved the old saying, “it ain’t over, ‘till it’s over” in the consolation game of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association on Sunday in Hancock, Mich.

Late in the third, the Vikings were up, 2-1, after scoring two goals in a 43 second span late in the second period. It stayed that way until the final minutes, when Marian’s Brett Fox scored with just 2:29 remaining and appeared to be sending it to overtime to determine a winner.

Just like that, the Vikings answered, as Billy Siers (#17 pictured at left) lit the lamp for his second goal of the game with 1:25 left in the contest. After a Sabre timeout in which they pulled the goalie, LU held off a final rush, capped by Joe Searl’s empty netter that crossed the line with just 0.1 remaining on the clock. The shot nearly went the length of the ice, sneaking in the far post to close out the 4-2 decision and give Lawrence the MCHA Consolation Championship.

“That was pretty much a storybook ending for the seniors … minus an MCHA Championship,” Lawrence head coach Mike Szkodzinski said. “The way they have handled themselves on the ice through some rough early-season times and the way they conduct themselves off the ice has created a new atmosphere for Lawrence hockey.”

          

After a scoreless first period, the Sabres were the first to score when Bill Griffore, Jr., hit the back of the net with 14:54 left in the second. The Vikings took the lead in a hurry later in the frame, as Siers and Nick Jennette scored in less than a minute’s span to make it 2-1. It stayed that way until Fox’s goal.

“It feels like we have been in that position a number of times this season,” Szkodzinski said. “But we didn’t panic, we stuck to the game plan and capitalized on our opportunities.”

Searl’s last-second goal (shown celebrating with teammates after the goal at left) was also a record, as it gave him 18 on the season to tie the LU standard for goals in a year. He finished the game with a team-high three points (1G/2A). The victory was also huge for the Viking program, giving them a 13-14-2 mark – the most victories in school history.

-March 4, 2007
Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association Announces End-of-Season Awards
The Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association announced all if its league awards at a banquet held in conjunction with the MCHA Tournament on Friday in Houghton, Mich. The league's All-Conference, All-Freshman and All-Academic Teams were all named, as well as the Player and Coach of the Year awards.

For the second-straight season, two representatives from MSOE won the two major awards, with Mark Ostapina earning the Coach-of-the-Year honor and Raider Brian Soik adding back-to-back MCHA Player-of-the-Year honors.

MCHA All-Conference (Alphabetical by position)
Forwards:
James Goodfellow, Sophomore, Marian
Josh Paquette, Junior Finlandia
Joe Searl, Senior, Lawrence
Brian Soik, Senior, MSOE
Ryan Sullivan, Sophomore, Finlandia
Lee Swallow, Junior, MSOE

Defensemen:
Brett Fox, Senior, Marian
Marc Marcotte, Sophomore, Finlandia
Josh Peterson, Junior, Lawrence
Jason Woll, Sophomore, MSOE

Goalies:
Matt Burzon, Senior, MSOE
Cullen Caldwell, Freshman, Marian

Player of the Year: Brian Soik, MSOE (pictured below - left)
Coach of the Year: Mark Ostapina, MSOE (pictured below - right)

         

MCHA All-Freshman Team:
Jacob Anderson, MSOE
Cullen Caldwell, Marian
Nick Cinquegrani, Marian
Nick Henkemeyer, Marian
Marc Howe, Lawrence
Bo Storozuk, Northland

-March 3, 2007
It's MSOE versus Finlandia for 2007 MCHA Tournament Championship
Note: Game stories courtesy of Finlandia Sports Information
Finlandia Takes on MSOE - March 3, 2007
In a scoreless first period, the Finlandia Lions awoke in the second period to snag the win in the MCHA semifinal game versus Marian College, 6-3.  The Lions will face MSOE at 3:00 pm at the Houghton County Arena for the MCHA Championship.

Although there were seven penalties in the first period, neither team could capitalize on their power play opportunities.  It took until nearly halfway through the second period to get either team on the board.  Finlandia's Jason Aldrich (Hancock, MI) was the first to score at 9:42.  He was assisted by Keith Johnstone (Marquette, MI) and Mike Parks (Marquette, MI).

Less than two minutes later, 11:21, Finlandia went up 2-0 with a score by Tiger Marcotte (Baraga, MI) .  Ryan Sullivan (Marquette, MI) was credited with the assist.  On a quick play down the ice, the Sabres tried to stay in the game with a goal :23 later, but Sullivan answered with his own goal at 14:37.  Sullivan was +3 on the ice.

With the score 3-1, Marian's Carl Bresser scored at 16:15 to bring the Sabres within one at the second intermission.

Finlandia ran away with the win in the third, though, scoring three straight goals.  Joe Beaudry (Marquette, MI), Joe Welgos (Darien, IL), and Parks each earned another point in the goals statistic

Marian added one more final goal late in the third to bring the score to 6-3.

Finlandia out shot Marian, 30-23.  Lukas Alberer (Austria) earned the win in goal, saving 20 shots.  Marian's Cullen Caldwell recorded the loss.

MSOE in Championship Game - March 3, 2007
The Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) showed why they were MCHA champions and the #1 seed in this weekend's tournament.  The Raiders rolled past the Vikings of Lawrence Saturday afternoon with a score of 4-0.

In a quiet first period by both teams, MSOE's Chad Kenyon finally found the back of the net at 8:43.  He was assisted by Michael Duta and RG Flath.  That was the only action through the first intermission.  Each team did not force a penalty until the second period.

MSOE came out in the second period firing shots but could not find the back of the net.  The Raiders out shot Lawrence in the second period 14 to eight. 

The third period belonged to MSOE's Blair Handberg.  Nine seconds into the third, Hanberg scored his first of three goals.  Lee Swallow and Jason Woll dished the passes.  At 4:57, Hanberg marked his second point as did Woll on the assist.  Jacob Anderson also was credited with an assist. 

The scoring ended on a power play goal by MSOE's Hanberg at 18:51. 

Overall, MSOE out shot Lawrence 36-27.  Joe Dovalina of MSOE recorded the win, while Lawrence's Isaac Andrew's was marked with the loss. 

-February 26, 2007
Final Four Teams Set to Battle for Harris Cup
The first round of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association is over and the top four seeds from the regular season will battle it out for the tournament championship this weekend. No. 2 Finlandia will be the host March 3 & 4, with top-seeded MSOE joining them in Houghton, Mich., as three-time regular season and two-time defending Harris Cup champions.

The third and fourth seeds also made it to the weekend. The Marian Sabres and Lawrence Vikings, respectively, each came away with a series victory this past weekend. The Sabres did it convincingly, defeating Northland by scores of 9-0 and 7-1. James Goodfellow led the way offensively, starting the series with three goals and one assist on Friday. He added two more goals and one assist Saturday to finish with seven points (5G/2A) in the sweep. The Sabres are actually the hottest team in NCAA Division III hockey, riding the best current unbeaten streak of eight games (all victories) in the nation.

In the other series, the Vikings won the opener, 5-3, Friday and then won the race to three points in the series with a 2-2 OT tie on Saturday. Billy Siers was the difference, as his goal with 1:48 remaining helped LU get to overtime and end the season for Minnesota-Crookston, getting first-year coach Mike Szkodzinski into the final four.

Heading into the remainder of the tournament, several MCHA names dot the national statistics. Finlandia’s Josh Paquette is 12^th in points per game, scoring at a 1.72 clip (43 points on 20G/23A). MSOE’s Lee Swallow is also on that list, sitting 29^th at 1.48 ppg (37 on 16G/21A). Both are tied fro 14^th in goals per game. Brian Soik is seventh in assists per game at 1.12 (27 in 24 games) and the Lion’s Marc Marcotte is the second-highest scorer among defensemen in the nation (1.27 ppg on 7G/21A=28 points).

The MCHA Tournament Semifinals and Finals conclude this weekend.
Schedule of events:
Friday, March 2
MCHA End of Season Banquet at Best Western Franklin Square, downtown Houghton.
Social begins at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., program (guest speaker/awards) to follow.

Tournament games:
Note: Any games that involve the host Finlandia Lions will be available on the radio at 98.7 FM or on their website at www.wglifm.com.

Saturday, March 3
#1 MSOE vs. #4 Lawrence at 11 a.m. EST
#2 Finlandia vs. #3 Marian at 3 p.m. EST

Sunday, March 4
MCHA Consolation at 11 a.m. EST
MCHA Championship at 3 p.m. EST

-February 19, 2007
MCHA Regular Season in the Books
It doesn’t get much more exciting than the final week of play was in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association this past weekend. For starters, Finlandia hosted MSOE with the regular season championship on the line. After a big 11-4 win by the home team on Friday set the stage for a possible sharing of the conference title and a winner-take-all for the No. 1 seed in the tournament, MSOE made it three-straight league crowns for head coach Mark Ostapina with a 3-2 victory. The Raiders scored quickly, as freshman Reid Crawford lit the lamp just forty-six seconds into the game. Crawford made it 2-0 in the second, with Lee Swallow putting the Raiders ahead 3-0 with the eventual game-winner midway through the second. The Lions battled back in front of the home crowd, getting a goal from Marc Marcotte in the second and one from Mike Parks midway through the third to make it a one-goal affair. MSOE’s defense did the rest, as Joe Dovalina made six third-period saves to earn the victory.

In the chase for the career MCHA scoring title of 99 points (held by former Marian College player Dan Odegard), MSOE’s Brian Soik finished his career with 97 after the weekend, tallying final totals of 31 goals and a new MCHA record of 66 assists. In addition to the career assist record, his 24 helpers this season also broke the MCHA mark of 23. Finlandia’s Josh Paquette jumped past Soik to end the year, recording four points on the weekend to end the season in a tie with Odegard at 99 on 39 goals and 60 assists. The junior’s first point in league play next season will eclipse the standard.

Topping the leader boards was Paquette in points (39 on 19G/20A). Second was Swallow with 30 (15G/15A). Paquette’s 19 goals was first, with teammate Ryan Sullivan second with 18. Soik was one of three players with 20+ assists, taking first with 24 with Paquette in second with 20, tied with teammate Joe Beaudry.

Other league marks to fall include two entries by Northland’s Bo Storozuk. His 742 saves on the season smashed the former MCHA mark of 559, while his 1053:17 played was way ahead of the former mark of 896:08 as well. MSOE’s RG Flath established a new mark with seven career short-handed goals (record was six), while Marian’s Nick Cinquegrani’s four short-handed goals this year tied the season standard. Other close calls included 12 wins in goal this season by the Raiders Matt Burzon (record is 13) and 17 assists by the Lion’s Marc Marcotte, second-most (mark is 18) by a defensemen in one season.

The chase for the Harris Cup starts this weekend with the first round of the playoffs Feb. 23-24. MSOE and Finlandia have earned byes as the top two seeds, so #3 Marian will host #6 Northland and #4 Lawrence will host #5 Minnesota-Crookston. The opening round is a two-game series with possible mini-game. The winners will advance to the MCHA Tournament, hosted by Finlandia March 3-4.

              

Left to Right: Carl Bresser (Marian) ... Matt Hann (UM-Crookston) ... Cullen Caldwell (Marian) ... Reid Crawford (MSOE)

Players of the Week:
-The two teams that swept league series this past weekend were powered by two players offensively. Marian College Sabres junior forward Carl Bresser (Waupun, Wis.) and Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagles junior forward Matt Hann (Crookston, Minn.) both played vital roles in helping their teams go 2-0 to split MCHA Player of the Week honors. Bresser started the weekend with two goals (one short-handed) and one assist in Marian’s 5-0 win over Lawrence . He followed that up with a goal and an assist in the 4-2 victory Saturday, helping account for five of nine goals on the weekend and finishing +5. Hann, a pre-chiropractic major, recorded 17 shots versus Northland on the weekend, finishing with a league-best seven points on three goals and four assists.
Other Nominees: Nick Jennette (Lawrence), Lee Swallow (MSOE), Josh Paquette (Finlandia)

-Marian College Sabres freshman goalie Cullen Caldwell (Calgary, ALB) is the MCHA Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season. Cullen started the weekend with a shutout, stopping all 21 of Lawrence's shots in a 5-0 blanking. He followed that performance with the win on Saturday stopping 21 of 23 shots.  His save percentage this weekend was .955 and he has recorded four of the victories in Marian’s current six-game winning streak.
Other Nominees: Joe Dovalina (MSOE), Brent Groenke (Crookston), Tiger Marcotte (Finlandia)

-Milwaukee School of Engineering Raiders freshman forward Reid Crawford (Glendale, Wis.) picked a great time to earn his first MCHA Freshman of the Week honors for his work in the title-clincher for the Raiders. The business major scored the first two goals of the game to put MSOE up, including one less than a minute in to propel his team to its third-straight league crown.
Other Nominees: Cullen Caldwell (Marian)

-February 17, 2007
MSOE Hockey Clinches Regular Season Title With 3-2 Win
-Courtesy of MSOE Sports Information Director Brian Gibboney
CONTACT: 414-277-2412 or gibboney@msoe.edu
Hancock, Mich.— Despite a crushing defeat on Friday night, the MSOE Raiders played aggressively and took a 3-2 decision over second place Finlandia, clinching their third consecutive regular season crown.

The Raiders wasted no time in scoring, as freshman Reid Crawford scored off a Lee Swallow pass, just 46 seconds into the game. MSOE scored the next two goals, Crawford with his second on the night, this time from Mike Jantzi and Jason Woll, while Swallow scored off passes from Woll and Michael Duta on a Raider power play.

The Finlandia Lions got on the scoreboard on an unassisted goal by Marc Marcotte with six minutes remaining in the second period. Finlandia added one more goal on a 3-on-5 power play with nine minutes remaining in the game, but could not get any closer.

For the Raiders, Joe Dovalina went the distance in goal, giving up two goals and collecting 24 saves and the win.

The Raiders now clinch the regular season title outright and the first place seed in the MCHA tournament, to be held at Houghton County Arena on March 3 and 4. IN the first of two semifinals, they will play the lowest remaining seed on Saturday, March 3 at 11:00am. The Highest remaining seed plays Finlandia at 3pm. The consolation game will be held Sunday at 11am, with the championship to follow at 3pm.

-February 12, 2007
Majority of Tournament Seeds in Place Heading Into Final Weekend
The Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association had three series on the schedule this past weekend that each produced a sweep. One of the biggest featured a first-place MSOE squad taking on a red-hot Lawrence team. The Raiders prevailed, winning 2-1 on Friday and 7-1 on Saturday to keep a solid hold on their first place position. Finlandia kept pace by sweeping past Minnesota-Crookston, winning 6-2 and 5-2 to give it a chance at the title next weekend. Marian College took a pair from Northland, winning 6-0 and 7-1 to guarantee itself third place in the league standings.

That stated, the third through sixth seeds for the MCHA Tournament are solidified, as the Lumberjacks will be the No. 6 seed. Crookston follows at No. 5. Regardless of what happens in the Marian/Lawrence series this upcoming weekend, the Vikings are the No. 4 seed followed by the Sabres at No. 3. The last thing to be decided is the top two spots: Finlandia (14-4-0/28 points) hosts MSOE (15-1-2/32 points) this upcoming weekend. A win or tie guarantees the Raiders their third-straight MCHA regular season crown. Mark Ostapina’s squad is nearly back in the Top 15 once again, as they are the top team in the “others receiving votes” this week.

The weekend added another 100-point scorer and a couple of new additions to the league record book, as well what could be an interesting ending to the season as far as the league record for career points is concerned. MSOE’s Blair Hanberg joined the 100-point club, as he ended the weekend with 102 (50G/52A) points in his time in a Raider jersey. Finlandia accounted for two records, as its four shorthanded goals in Saturday’s win set a new mark, as did Ryan Sullivan’s 18th goal of the conference season. That broke the record for goals by a sophomore, which was 17 set last season by Hanberg.

Lastly, former Marian College player Dan Odegard’s record 99 career points will be up for overtaking, as MSOE’s Brian Soik has upped his career total to 96 points and Finlandia’s Josh Paquette stands in at 95, each with two games remaining on the regular season schedule.

         

Left  to Right: Ryan Sullivan (Finlandia) ... Matt Burzon (MSOE) ... Nick Cinquegrani (Marian)

Players of the Week:
-Finlandia University Lions sophomore forward Ryan Sullivan (Marquette, MI) is the MCHA Player of the Week. He started the weekend with two shorthanded goals in Saturdays 6-2 victory and was a +3 on the ice. Then, on Sunday, he was +3 again and recorded a goal and an assist to help keep his team within striking distance of first place. As stated earlier, his 18 goals in league play this season set a new MCHA standard for sophomores.
Other Nomiees: Lee Swallow (MSOE), James Goodfellow (Marian)

-Milwaukee School of Engineering Raiders senior goalie Matt Burzon (Danby, VT) is the MCHA Defensive Player of the Week, pushing his career weekly league honors to seven. The construction management major played a vital role in the Raiders’ sweep of Lawrence , coming up with 57 saves on 59 shots over the weekend for a .966 save percentage. He held the red-hot Lawrence squad to just one goal each night and limited LU to a 2-for-16 showing on the power play.
Other Nominees: Nick Henkemeyer (Marian), Tiger Marcotte (Finlandia)

-Marian College Sabres freshman forward Nick Cinquegrani (Rolling Meadows, IL) earns MCHA Freshman of the Week accolades for the second time this season. His two goals pushed the lead from 1-0 to 3-0 in Friday’s 6-0 win and then he added the first goal of the game on Saturday. He was +5 on the weekend, won 70% of his face-offs and leads all MCHA freshman in league scoring with 18 points (10G/8A).
Other Nominees: Chad Kenyon (MSOE), Ross Rouleau (Finlandia)

-February 6, 2007
Lawrence's Joe Searl Featured in Story in Appleton Post-Crescent
Lawrence senior Joe Searl was featured this week in a profile in the Appleton Post-Crescent. The article below is reprinted from www.postcrescent.com.

The news hit Joe Searl like a high stick to the mouth.

Before this season started, new Lawrence University hockey coach Mike Szkodzin-ski told Searl that he would no longer be the captain of the Vikings.

The demotion hit the senior from Fond du Lac hard, and seeing junior Josh Peterson take over as captain was difficult.

But Searl has fought back the best way he knew how — by playing the most inspired hockey of his life.

"I responded the best I could and put it out of my mind," Searl said. "In my eyes and the guys' eyes, I think I'm still a leader on this team. And they've told me that. That's really what's gotten me through it.

Rather than sulk in his own private penalty box, Searl has led the surprising Vikings to an 11-9-1 record.

He has scored 17 goals, has 11 assists and is one of the leading candidates for Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association player of the year.

His play this season, and the way he has responded to no longer wearing the captain's "C" on his sweater, has impressed Szkodzinski.

"Joe simply went about his business and decided that he was going to be the leader if he wore the letter or didn't wear the letter," Szkodzinski said. "The way he carries himself away from the rink now is definitely what future Vikings and current Vikings should look up to."

Neither Searl nor Szkodzinski would provide a lot of details about why he was stripped of his captain's role. Searl admits he was late to some early workouts.

"With a new coach, a leader can't be defiant. You can't have a rogue leader," Searl said.

Szkodzinski, who praised Searl for his play on the ice and his leadership in the weight room, would only say that Searl needed to make some better decisions away from the hockey rink.

Szkodzinski, who came to Lawrence after being an assistant coach at St. Norbert College the past two seasons, says Searl has stepped up in almost every way imaginable.

"He's completely engulfed himself into Lawrence hockey this year and it shows every day on the ice, in the weight room and in the classroom," Szkodzinski said. "Sometimes players get very comfortable in a situation that they're in and sometimes they need to be pushed to a different level and get out of their comfort zone.

"Luckily, Joe has responded in a positive manner to that. Whether he's wearing the captain's C or not, I think every player in that locker room looks to Joe for leadership."

The Vikings had their six-game winning streak stopped by Finlandia on Saturday, but Lawrence still has won nine of its last 11 games. The winning has taken away most of the sting Searl felt from not being captain.

"Coach's decision was, I believe, the correct one," he says now.

Searl, a psychology major, isn't an imposing figure on the ice at 5-foot-8, 185 pounds. But that hasn't stopped the forward from being a threat to score every time he gets his stick on the puck.

"I never say die," he said. "I'm not the biggest guy in the world or the fastest guy or the most talented. I use the tools I have at the highest speed I can and work as hard as I can."

Szkodzinski says Searl is "relentless."

"Joe is willing to sacrifice his body to make plays for the well-being of the team," Szkodzinski said. "Joe's also been very disciplined in the system and that's led to more scoring opportunities for him."

Searl is one of five seniors on the team. There were 12 players in his freshman class, so he and the other remaining seniors take a great deal of pride in having stuck it out.

And now that the program is on the upswing, his outlook for the end of his senior season is definitely brighter than when the season started.

"Everyone is catching the buzz about hockey," Searl said. "People I don't know are saying good luck to me. It's a good feeling to be recognized for the work that we've put in."

-February 5, 2007
MSOE Keeps Rolling; Standings Race Heating Up for Tournament Seeds
With the first weekend of February in the books, the MSOE Raiders remain at the top of the league standings after sweeping by Northland, winning 12-1 and 5-2 to improve to 13-1-2 with 28 standings points. Brian Soik continues to etch his name in the MCHA record book, as his season total of 21 assists in conference action ties the mark for most assists by a senior and is just two off the all-time mark of 23 helpers in a season - and he still has four games left to play. Marian College also recorded a sweep, defeating Minnesota-Crookston by scores of 8-1 and 7-2 to move to 8-6-2 with 18 points, jumping back over Lawrence to third. Speaking of the Vikings, they did extend their school-record win streak to six on Friday (giving them wins in nine of their last 10 games) with a 4-3 OT defeat of Finlandia. That puts LU at 8-7-1 with 17 points. The Lions roared back Saturday, winning 7-1 to remain in second at 12-4-0 with 24 points, still within striking distance of the Raiders. With four teams over .500 in the league standings, none of the top four seeds for the league tournament have been determined. Just two weekends of hockey remain in the regular season.

         

Left to Right: Blair Hanberg (MSOE) ... Joe Junttila (Finlandia) ... Tyler Fletcher (Marian)

-Milwaukee School of Engineering Raiders junior forward Blair Hanberg (Edmonds, WA) earns his second MCHA Player of the Week award of the season. The business and marketing major had a five-point weekend, scoring twice and recording three assists. His second goal on Friday night was his 50^th of his career and is now first in the league overall with 20 goals and tied for first in league play with 15. He was +5 for the weekend and had the game-winner on Friday, his fourth of the season.
Other Nominees: Andrew Corvo (Marian), Joe Junttila (Finlandia)

-Finlandia University Lions senior goalie Joe Junttila (Calumet, MI) is the MCHA Defensive Player of the Week, as he came through with a great performance in his only action of the weekend. After dropping an overtime game Friday, Junttila helped the Lions to the 7-1 win Saturday with stellar work between the pipes. He stopped 26 shots defensively and had an assist on a 3 v. 5 shorthanded goal. He also limited Lawrence to a 1-for-12 effort on the power play.
Other Nominees: Jason Woll (MSOE), Brett Fox (Marian)

-Marian College Sabres freshman forward Tyler Fletcher (Calgary, ALB) rounds out the week with MCHA Freshman of the Week honors. He had two goals, three assists (all in one game) and was +3 in the Sabres' sweep of Crookston.
Other Nominees: Brandon VanAcker (Finlandia), Jacob Anderson (MSOE)

-January 29, 2007
Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association Heads into Final Month of Regular Season
It was a weekend of milestones for the MCHA, with MSOE’s Brian Soik breaking the league career assist mark and Finlandia’s Josh Paquette netting career point No. 100. In addition, the play on the ice kept the standings heated up as the calendar turns to February. Lawrence, the hottest team in the league, extended its winning streak to a school-record five-straight with an overtime defeat of Lake Forest and a sweep of Crookston on the weekend to give it eight wins in its last nine outings. In other league action, Finlandia swept past Northland by scores of 10-0 and 4-1 to remain in second place, hot on the heels of league-leading MSOE. The Raiders and Marian played to a 2-2 tie on Friday before MSOE came back with a 7-3 victory on Saturday to move to 11-1-2 (24 points), ahead of the Lions at 11-3-0 (22 points). The Vikings also jumped into third place at 7-6-1 (15 points), just ahead of the Sabres at 6-6-2 (14 points).

With an assist on Lee Swallow’s goal at the 3:07 mark of the second period on Saturday, Brian Soik (pictured above left) pushed his career assist total to 59, breaking the former mark of 58 held by Marian College ’s Jon Daigle (2001-05). For Finlandia, Josh Paquette's (pictured above right) second goal of the game on Friday gave him career point No. 100. The junior forward is also right behind Soik in the career assist category, as his weekend total of three helpers gives him 56 in his career. Both players are also chasing down the MCHA career point record of 99 (currently held by former Sabre Dan Odegard), as Paquette has 88 points (32G/56A) and Soik 87 (28G/59A).

Left to Right: Kalle Larsson (Lawrence) ... Blake Miller (Finlandia) ... Mark Howe (Lawrence)

Players of the Week:
-Lawrence University senior forward Kalle Larsson (Gothenburg, Sweden) is this week’s MCHA Player of the Week. Despite a deep list of nominees, Larsson’s exploits were one of the big reasons Lawrence has won eight of its past nine games. The government major had a hat trick and an assist in LU’s 5-4 overtime win over Lake Forest, netting the game-winner at the 3:05 mark of OT. He then had the game-winning goal on Friday as well, before adding two assists on Saturday for an eight point (4G/4A) week.
Other Nominees: Josh Paquette (Finlandia), Nick Bilpush (MSOE), Joe Beaudry (Finlandia), Joe Searl (Lawrence)

-Finlandia University sophomore defenseman Blake Miller (Hancock, MI) tops the list of nominees for MCHA Defensive Player of the Week honors. Defensively, he helped limit Northland to just six shots in the game on Friday – and 16 for the weekend, while holding the ‘Jacks power play to a 1-for-12 showing. He also contributed on offense, scoring two power play goals and adding an assist on Friday before chipping in with another assist Saturday.
Other Nominees: Matt Burzon (MSOE), Mike Ackley (Lawrence)

-Lawrence University Vikings freshman forward Mark Howe (Cedarburg, WI) earns MCHA Freshman of the Week honors for the second time this season on the strength of eight points (4G/4A) during the week. He started off with a bang, scoring once and adding three assists – including one on the game-winner – as Lawrence knocked off Lake Forest in overtime. Then, on the weekend, he recorded a goal and an assist on Friday before lighting the lamp twice in the Vikings’ 4-1 win Saturday.
Other Nominees: Jake Anderson (MSOE), Brandon VanAcker (Finlandia)

-January 23, 2007
Brian Soik of MSOE Featured in Article on USCHO.com
The Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association had one of its players featured in an article on the national hockey website, www.uscho.com, last week. In  website correspondent Matthew Webb's weekly column - "This Week in the NCHA and MCHA", Brian Soik was featured in the Jan. 19 edition.

Note: The following is reprinted from uscho.com, by Matthew Webb
For complete release, click HERE.

MSOE's Soik Does It All
By now most people are familiar with MSOE forward Brian Soik's exploits on the ice. The senior captain and Stevens Point, Wis., native has scored 91 points in his three plus seasons for the Raiders. Centering MSOE's top line, he burst onto the scene last season by posting 45 points in 27 games. He has helped lead the Raiders to back-to-back Harris Cup Championships and has garnered his share of individual recognition in terms of all-conference and various all-tournament accolades — including picking up MCHA Player of the Year honors last season.

Those things most people are familiar with.

What they may not be familiar with, however, is that with a 3.9 GPA, the Mechanical Engineering major is a permanent fixture on MSOE's Dean's List. Not only that, but Soik also volunteers his time for numerous causes within the community. As a result of his selfless efforts, Soik was recently named one of thirteen nominees for the 2007 Hockey Humanitarian Award.

It's the extent of Soik's volunteer work that may be most impressive. For the past three season's he has helped organize an annual broomball tournament aimed at raising money for Toys for Tots, a program designed to provide Christmas toys to needy children. After raising another $10,000 this year, the tournament has generated over $30,000 since its inception.

It doesn't stop there, as last September Soik and teammate Ross Chawansky organized a team to participate in Dylan's Run for Autism, a 2 mile-run walk along the Milwaukee lakefront aimed at raising funds and awareness for autism. Soik also played a part in organizing a Boy Scout outing at a recent home game, including a post-game skate with the team.

Acording to MSOE head coach Mark Ostapina, Soik's efforts are clearly superlative.

"He's our captain, a great leader," he said. "For him to lead and do things in the community — it takes a rare individual to do that. He wasn't a finalist for the Humanitarian Award but he keeps on doing stuff. He's been doing stuff so recently the award couldn't even take it into account. He's a special individual."

Another factor that makes Soik's efforts impressive is the way the MSOE schedule is structured. On a quarterly system, players must deal with final exams twice during the course of a season. Between the rigors of successful hockey and academic careers, Ostapina often wonders where Soik finds enough time to do as much as he does.

"He tutors guys on the team also, he's a math whiz," he said.

Ostapina then added half-jokingly, "He spends so much time helping other people I sometimes have to make sure he is still worrying about Brian Soik."

Though Soik was not named one of the five finalists for the Hockey Humanitarian Award, it doesn't really matter. What does matter is that there are players out there like Brian Soik who remind us hockey is merely a part of what they do, and that after all, it is only a game.

-January 22, 2007
Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association Enters Stretch Run of Regular Season
Two series sweeps and a split on the weekend leave the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association standings a bit less tight and in a different order. MSOE remains in first place after a sweep of Minnesota-Crookston, winning by scores of 5-2 and 5-0 to move to 10-1-1 with 21 points. After winning 7-4 on Friday, Finlandia looked to keep pace with the Raiders, but Marian recorded a 4-3 OT victory on Saturday to move the Lions to 9-3-0 in league with 18 points and a solid hold on second. The Sabres remain in third at 6-5-1 with 13 points, while Lawrence leap-frogs Crookston for fourth after sweeping Northland by scores of 4-0 and 12-2. The Vikings now have 11 standings points and a 5-6-1 record, with the Golden Eagles fifth (3-7-2, 8 points) and Lumberjacks sixth (0-11-1, 1).

A couple of noteworthy statistics: The 12 goals that Lawrence scored was the highest league output in over three years, when Finlandia netted 13 in a win Nov. 1, 2003. MSOE’s Lee Swallow hit a milestone, recording point No. 100 over the weekend. He now has 102 points (37/65) in his career. MSOE teammate Brian Soik inches closer to the all-time MCHA assist record, as his weekend total pushes him 57 in his career, just one behind Jon Daigle’s ( Marian College , 2001-2005) record of 58. Raider RG Flath tied a league career record as well, when he netted his sixth career shorthanded goal on Friday. A couple of other league players also showed off some offensive fireworks, as Finlandia’s Ryan Sullivan and Lawrence ’s Mark Howe each had a hat trick.

Left to Right: Joe Searl (Lawrence) ... James Goodfellow (Marian) ... Jason Woll (MSOE) ... Mark Howe (Lawrence)

Players of the Week:
For the second time in three weeks, the MCHA will have co-players of the week. And for the second time in three weeks, Lawrence University Vikings senior forward Joe Searl ( Fond du Lac , WI ) gets a share of the accolades. This week, he splits the top honor with Marian College Sabres sophomore forward James Goodfellow ( Naperville , IL ). Searl scored twice in Friday’s 4-0 win, tallying a power play goal and the game-winner. The psychology major then added two more goals and an assist on Saturday to power the Vikings to the sweep. Goodfellow played a key role in the Sabres series with second-place Finlandia. Despite Marian giving up 10 goals on the weekend, Goodfellow was a +5 on the ice. He had three assists in Friday’s loss and then played hero on Saturday. In the 4-3 OT win, he had two assists in regulation and then topped that with the winner in overtime. He finished with a league-high six points (1G/5A) on the weekend.
Other Nominees: Ryan Sullivan (Finlandia), Lee Swallow (MSOE)

-Milwaukee School of Engineering Raiders sophomore defenseman Jason Woll ( Portland , OR ) earns the MCHA Defensive Player of the Week honors for his work in the sweep over Crookston. The business major had a goal and two assists in Friday’s win before adding an assist on Saturday for a four-point weekend offensively. On the other end, he logged a lot of penalty kill time as MSOE limited its opponents to a 2-for-19 showing with the man advantage, including a couple of 3 v. 5 chances. He currently leads all league defensemen in scoring (9 points on 3G/6A).
Other Nominees: Josh Peterson ( Lawrence ), Kyle Joes (Marian)

-Lawrence University Vikings freshman forward Mark Howe (Cedarburg, WI) earns the first MCHA honor of his career, taking home Freshman of the Week honors. The undecided major started the weekend with an assist on Friday before lighting the lamp with his first career hat trick (including the game-winner) on Saturday. He is currently second in goals and third in scoring among league freshman.
Other Nominees: Ross Rouleau (Finlandia), Nick Cinquegrani (Marian)

-January 15, 2007
Five of Six Weekend MCHA Games Decided by One Goal or Less
The Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association was back to conference play this past week. Going into the weekend, Finlandia trailed first-place MSOE by just one point, while Marian was six points behind. After a weekend that included numerous thrilling one-goal games, not much has changed. The Lions and Raiders split the big No. 1 vs. No. 2 match-up, with MSOE winning 2-1 on Friday before FU rattled off a 6-1 win on Saturday. Marian and Lawrence split a home-and-home series, with each team claiming a one-goal victory on its home ice. Lastly, Minnesota-Crookston moved into fourth place by themselves by earning a league-best three standings points, defeating Northland, 6-5, in overtime on Friday and tying, 1-1, again in OT on Saturday. It’s three more league series on the schedule for this weekend, with MSOE at Crookston, Finlandia at Marian and Lawrence at Northland.

         

Left to Right: Mike Parks (Finlandia) ... Lukas Alberer (Finlandia) ... Bo Storozuk (Northland)

Players of the Week:
-Finlandia University Lions junior forward Mike Parks (Marquette, MI) earns the MCHA Player of the Week nod for his work against MSOE. He had an assist on the Lion’s lone goal in the 2-1 loss Friday, and then paved the way in Saturday’s win by scoring the first two goals of the game – including the game-winner – in the 6-1 victory. He was also a +5 on the weekend.
Other Nominees: Teal Plaine (UM-Crookston), Bo Storozuk (Northland)

-Finlandia University Lions junior goalie Lukas Alberer (Poertschach, Austria) also tops the list of nominees to give FU two award-winners for the week. He made 16 saves in Friday's 2-1 loss, and then topped that with 25 saves in the 6-1 victory on Saturday. For the weekend, he had a .935 save percentage, a 1.50 GAA and held the Raiders power play to a 1-for-17 showing in the series.
Other Nominees: Jason Jadczak (Marian), Matt Tanneberg (Northland), Kyle Knudsen (UM-Crookston)

- Northland College Lumberjacks freshman goalie Bo Storozuk (Swan Valley, MTB) adds MCHA Freshman of the Week honors to the defensive award he won Nov. 6. He started the week on Wednesday with 59 saves against St. Olaf, then, had 89 more on the weekend to give him a .937 save percentage for the week. He also set an MCHA record for goalies by recording two assists in a game on Friday
Other Nominees: Jason Ford (Marian), Mark Howe ( Lawrence ), Brian Fergusson (UM-Crookston), Lindsay Boulter (Northland)

-January 8, 2007
MCHA Back in Action to Start 2007
It has been an interesting return to the ice for the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association over the holiday break. Things got started right before Christmas, when Finlandia knocked off then-#4 UW-Superior, 5-3. As the calendar changed to '07, MSOE re-entered the national poll at No. 15, and the upsets kept coming. Marian started the New Year off right with a 4-4 tie of then-#4 UW-River Falls, nearly winning before the Falcons added a late goal.

The non-conference action continued this past weekend, with Lawrence sweeping St. Olaf (MN) and UM-Crookston taking a pair from Southern New Hampshire. All in all, the league went 6-4-1 against non-conference foes. After Northland plays host to St. Scholastica on Wednesday, it is back to league play, with all six teams playing on the weekend, including the big No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown when MSOE hosts Finlandia.

              

Left to Right: Joe Searl (Lawrence) ... Ryan Leadens (Crookston) ... Andrew Isaac (Lawrence) ... Nick Cinquegrani (Marian)

Players of the Week:
-Two players played key roles in helping their teams to sweeps of non-conference opponents this weekend, so they will share the MCHA Player of the Week honors. Lawrence University Vikings senior forward Joe Searl (Fond du Lac, WI) earns his second player of the week honors this season (and third of his career). On Friday, the psychology major put the Vikings on his back and carried them to a big victory, scoring the game-tying goal with :36 seconds remaining and then topping that by adding the game-winner on a breakway :09 seconds into overtime to beat St. Olaf, 2-1. He also recorded an assist on the game-tying goal on Saturday. Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagles senior forward Ryan Leadens ( South St. Paul , Minn ) splits the award, as the business marketing major had a career-high five-point night - including a hat trick - to lead Crookston to a 6-5 victory on Saturday. Of his two assists, one came on the game winning overtime goal. On the previous night, he recorded one assist to up his weekend point total to a league-best six.
Other Nominees: Mike Parks (Finlandia)

-Lawrence University Vikings senior goalie Andrew Issac (Mississauga, ON) gives the Vikings two honors, as he is the MCHA Defensive Player of the Week. The economics major came up huge all weekend in helping LU to the sweep, He stopped 34 of 35 on Friday night in a 2-1 OT win and came back with 29 saves on 32 shots in Saturday's 4-3 win. For the weekend, he made 63 saves and had a perfect 2-0 mark and .940 save percentage.
Other Nominees: Marc Marcotte (Finlandia), Kyle Knudsen (UM-Crookston)

-Marian College Sabres freshman forward Nick Cinquegrani (Rolling Meadows, IL) gives the Sabres their second-different MCHA freshman of the week this season. He almost single-handedly helped Marian defeat #4 River Falls, scoring twice and assisting on a third goal as Marian earned the 4-4 tie.
Other Nominees: John Lombardi (UM-Crookston), Mark Howe (Lawrence), Kasey Kreuter (Finlandia)

-January 4, 2007
MCHA Team Strikes Top 10 Foe Once Again
The Marian Sabres started the new year out on the right foot for the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association, as the Sabres earned a 4-4 tie with #4 UW-River Falls on Thursday night. This marks the second-straight game for the MCHA where one of its teams has beaten or tied an opponent ranked in the national poll.

The Sabres had leads of 3-1 and 4-3 on the strength of three points (2G/1A) by Nick Cinquegrani, but the Falcons tied the game at the 16:55 mark of the third period. Despite outshooting UWRF 40-37 in the game and 6-to-4 in the extra session, the Sabres were unable to grab the win but will take the tie against the No. 4 team in the country. This marks the second-straight game for an MCHA team to upset a Top 5 team (see release below on Finlandia's 5-3 victory over then-#4 UW-Superior).

BOX SCORE: Marian 4; UW-River Falls 4

Game story courtesy of Marian College Sports Information Department:

(Fond du Lac, WI) - The Sabres were just 3:05 away from defeating the #4-ranked UW-River Falls Falcons on Thursday evening. The Falcon's Jim Jensen scored a power play goal 16:55 into the final period to even the score at 4-4, and that is where things ended up after overtime. The tie moves the Sabres to 4-6-2, while the Falcons are now 11-2-1.

The Falcons jumped on top 1-0, 6:52 into the first period, as Jared Sailer scored off an assist from Devin Underwood. Marian evened things less than nine minutes later as James Goodfellow (Naperville, IL) scored off assists from Nick Cinquegrani (Rolling Meadows, IL) and Greg Copeland (Lloydminister, AB).

Travis Van Dyn Hoven (River Falls, WI) then gave Marian the lead at the 10:54 mark on a put-back off an assist from Jack Aide (Bismarck, ND). Van Dyn Hoven was playing in his first contest as a Sabre. Then at the 15:07 mark, Cinquegrani added a power play goal off assists from Andrew Corvo (Oak Park, IL) and Goodfellow to give the Sabres a 3-1 lead. The Falcons were able to convert on a power play goal of their own with less than two minutes remaining in the second period to cut the deficit to 3-2 heading into the final stanza.

In the third, Dustin Norman scored a breakaway short-handed goal 6:21 into the period to even things up. Cinquegrani got back into the action at the 12:58 mark as he scored a power play goal off an assist from Corvo.

Marian looked to be in the driver's seat until a pair of late penalties cost them in the third. Marian was called for two penalties at the 16:10 mark and it didn't take long for the Falcon's Jim Jensen to cash in. His power play goal tied things up at 4-4 with just 3:05 left in the third period. Neither team was able to score and the game headed into overtime.

In the extra period, Marian had some good looks and outshot the Falcons, 6-4, but had to settle for the tie.

Marian outshot the Falcons 40-37 in the contest and both teams were 2-for-7 on the power play.

Cullen Caldwell (Calgary, AB) stopped 33 shots in the contest, while AJ Bucchino stopped 36 shots for the Falcons.

-December 18, 2006
Finlandia Upsets #4 UW-Superior
Finlandia University headed into the holiday break with arguably the biggest victory in the history of the program: a 5-3 come-from-behind win over #4 UW-Superior on Saturday. The decision not only extends the Lions current winning streak to five games, but improves the team to 8-3-0 heading into the break.

The win is the Lions second-ever over a ranked team and marks the sixth time in league history that an MCHA team has beaten or tied an opponent ranked in the national poll. Finlandia was actually the last to do it as well, beating then #12 MSOE, 6-5, in February of last season. Marian held the distinction of the highest-ever defeat (#5 River Falls in 2004) and tie (#3 St. Norbert in 2004 as well) of a ranked opponent before the win this weekend.

Previous occurrences:
Finlandia beat #12 MSOE, 6-5, 2/18/06
MSOE beat #11 Babson, 3-2, 11/26/05
Marian tied #3 St. Norbert, 3-3, 11/26/04
Marian beat #5 UW-River Falls, 4-2, 1/9/04
Crookston tied #9 St. John’s, 3-3, 12/13/03

Saturday: FU 5, UW-Superior 3

The following game story is courtesy of www.mininggazette.com

By KEITH WARVIE, DMG Sports Writer

HANCOCK — Talk about your big wins.

This one was one for the history books.

Finlandia scored three times in the third period to post a 5-3 come-from-behind win over Wisconsin-Superior in hockey action Saturday night at the Houghton Co. Arena.

“What an outstanding period,” Finlandia coach Joe Burcar said of the final 20 minutes. “We’ve always tried to make the third period the best period of the hockey game, but the guys even down two going in (to the third) had that belief in the locker room that we could do something good.”

The victory by Finlandia, however, does raise a question. If the Yellow Jackets were ranked fifth in the country coming into the game, then shouldn’t the Lions be in the Top 5 as well?

“This is by far the biggest win in the history of our program,” Burcar said. “This win was a total team effort.

“It’s an outstanding day for our program.”

Matt Lindgren started the comeback with a goal at the 13:08 mark to level the score at 3-3. A power-play goal by Joe Welgos with just under seven minutes left gave Finlandia its first lead at 4-3.

Joe Beaudry sealed the deal with an empty-net goal with just two ticks remaining on the clock. The goal was Beaudry’s second of the game.

His first goal in the opening period tied the game at 1-1. Beaudry’s tally came just moments after Findlandia had killed off back-to-back penalties.

Josh Paquette had the other goal for the Lions. His tally late in the second period kept the Lions within one at 3-2 heading into the third.

“Our team has shown great resilience all year,” Burcar said. “We’ve been down in a few games and always found a way to battle back.

“Our experience showed today. When we were down 3-1 in the second we didn’t push the panic button. We just continued to play our system, to play our way.”

Goaltender Joe Juntilla made 25 saves and was picked as the No. 1 star. Welgos and Paquette were the second and third stars for the Lions.

Keith Warvie can be reached at kwarvie@mininggazette.com

-December 11, 2006
Weekend Sweeps Lead to Top Three Spots in Standings
In the final complete week of action before the holiday break in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association, the MSOE Raiders, Finlandia Lions and Marian Sabres all swept their weekend series to sit in the top three spots in the league standings.

MSOE topped Lawrence , winning 3-0 and 5-1 to improve to 7-0-1 in league play this season. The Raiders have now posted a record of 23-1-1 in their past 25 regular season MCHA contests. The Lions hit the road to take two from Minnesota-Crookston, outscoring the Golden Eagles 14-4 on the weekend, including a 10-2 rout on Friday. After a loss to Marian to open the league slate this year, the team has reeled off seven-straight victories to sit at 7-1-0 and firmly in second place. The team has averaged over five goals a game, outscoring the opposition 41-19 in league play so far in 2006-07. Lastly, the Sabres upped their record to 4-3-1, sweeping past Northland by scores of 4-1 and 5-2.

Most of the league teams have now hit the semester break, as the MCHA will see just three games on the schedule between today and January 4. Crookston will host Concordia (MN) and Finlandia will welcome No. 4 UW-Superior Dec. 16. The last game of the calendar year will see that same #4 Superior team host Northland Dec. 29.

In other league news, MSOE’s Matt Burzon was recently selected as one of five goalie finalists (and the only D-III member) for the 2007 NCAA Frozen Four Skills Challenge. The Skills Challenge competition will once again be held in an East vs. West format. The competitions will include puck-control relay, fastest skater, hardest shot, rapid-fire shooting, accuracy shooting and penalty shot. The second annual Skills Challenge will be held April 6 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis and will be shown live on ESPNU.

Left to Right: Lee Swallow (MSOE) … Matt Burzon (MSOE) … Cullen Caldwell (Marian)

Players of the Week:
-Milwaukee School of Engineering Raiders junior forward Lee Swallow ( Stanwood , MI ) earns the third MCHA Player of the Week honor of his career for his playmaking efforts in his teams’ sweep of Lawrence . The business major had a five-point weekend by recording five assists on MSOE’s eight goals in the series. He assisted the game-winner both nights, ending with two assists in the 3-0 shutout and three helpers in the 5-1 victory Saturday. He now leads in assists and is second in points in league play, and is tops in season points (19 on 4G/15A) overall.
Other nominees: Mike Parks (Finlandia), Cullen Caldwell (Marian), Keith Johnstone (Finlandia)

-Milwaukee School of Engineering Raiders senior goalie Matt Burzon (Danby, VT) also adds to his career honors (he now has six), winning the MCHA Defensive Player of the Week award for his undefeated weekend between the pipes. The construction management major posted a 3-0 shutout on Friday, making 12 saves and blanking the Vikings on eight power-play opportunities. Then, on Saturday, he made 23 more saves – allowing just one goal on a 5-on-3 power play – to improve to 7-0-1 on the season.
Other nominees: Lukas Alberer (Finlandia), Cullen Caldwell (Marian), Joe Juntilla (Finlandia)

-After earning league defensive player of the week honors last week, Marian College Sabres freshman goalie Cullen Caldwell ( Calgary , ALB) is back at it again, this time earning MCHA Freshman of the Week accolades. He stopped 52 of 55 shots in two wins over Northland for a .945 save percentage. In addition, he limited the ‘Jacks to a 1-for-17 showing on the power play.
Other nominees: Charles Zieserl ( Lawrence ), Chad Kenyon (MSOE), Nick Cinquegrani (Marian)

-December 4, 2006
MSOE and Finlandia Keep Standings Race Close
In a weekend that featured the six teams in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association battling it out, MSOE and Finlandia came away with sweeps of their opponents to keep the race for first place in the standings very tight. The Raiders took two from Northland, winning the opener 3-0 before claiming an 8-2 win on Saturday. The Lions had to come from behind on Saturday, as they trailed 3-0 and 4-1 before scoring the final four unanswered goals for the 5-4 win. FU then won Sunday, 5-2, to complete the sweep. Those victories keep MSOE in first at 5-0-1, and with 11 standings points. Finlandia is firmly in second at 5-1-0, with 10 points.

In the other series, Marian earned a split by winning convincingly, 7-0, on Saturday, That came after a 6-2 loss to Minnesota-Crookston in the opener. For the Golden Eagles, Brent Groenke had a hat trick on Friday, as did MSOE’s Blair Hanberg and Nick Bilpush on Saturday.

         

Left to Right: Josh Paquette (Finlandia) ... Cullen Caldwell (Marian) ... Billy Siers (Lawrence)

Players of the Week:
Finlandia University Lions junior forward Josh Paquette ( Marquette , MI ) gives the Lions the MCHA Player of the Week for the second time in the past three weeks. He spearheaded the come-form-behind win on Saturday, assisting on two counters while scoring the tying goal. Then, on Sunday, he had two goals and two assists in the 5-2 win, giving him a league-high seven points (3G/4A) for the week.
Other nominees: Brent Groenke (UM-Crookston), Carl Bresser (Marian), Blair Hanberg (MSOE), James Goodfellow (Marian)

-Marian College Sabres freshman goalie Cullen Caldwell ( Calgary , ALB) gives the Sabres their first weekly award of the season, as he is tabbed the MCHA Defensive Player of the Week. Caldwell was called into action in Marian’s loss Friday and played well. Then, on Saturday, he recorded his first collegiate shutout, blanking Crookston 7-0 with 27 saves. For the weekend, he had a save percentage of .938.
Other nominees: Blake Miller (Finlandia), Kyle Knudsen (UM-Crookston), Matt Burzon (MOSE), Nick Henkemeyer (Marian)

-Lawrence University Vikings freshman forward Billy Siers ( Mount Prospect , IL ) earns the MCHA Freshman of the Week honors for his efforts against Finlandia. Despite falling twice, Siers helped account for five of the six LU goals on the weekend by recording two goals and three assists. He currently leads all rookies in overall scoring with seven points (4G/3A).
Other nominees: Mike Jantzi (MSOE), Nick Cinquegrani (Marian)

-November 27, 2006
League Entertains Light Schedule During Holiday Week
The Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association did not have a very busy schedule during the week of Thanksgiving, having just three schools playing games, all of the non-conference variety. Northland played its only contest of the week on Tuesday, falling 6-2 to St. Mary's (MN). Finlandia traveled to Augsburg's Holiday Tournament, dropping games to the host Auggies and to Bethel. Lastly, MSOE hosted its own tournament, brining in Gustavus Adolphus as well as two nationally-ranked teams in No. 10 UW-Stout and No. 12 Neumann. The Raiders saw both ends of a winning score of nine goals, defeating Gustavus 9-6 before falling to Neumann, 9-0. Of note in that event, MSOE senior Brian Soik scored a goal versus Gustavus, giving him 40 for his career and 100 points overall as well. The league dives back into a full slate of conference games this weekend, with Friday night games followed by Saturday matinees at MSOE (hosting Northland), Marian (hosting UM-Crookston) and Finlandia (hosting Lawrence).


Player of the Week:
-Milwaukee School of Engineering Raiders sophomore forward RG Flath (Salt Lake City, UT) wins his second MCHA Player of the Week honor of the season. The architectural engineering major was the only Raider to earn a spot on the All-Tournament team, recording two goals and two assists on the weekend. He currently leads the MCHA in both points (13 in eight games) and goals (seven).
Other Nominees: Brian Soik (MSOE)

-November 20, 2006
Finlandia Moves Into Second Place With Weekend Sweep
Finlandia University improved to 3-1-0 in its first four Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association games of the year on the weekend, sweeping by Northland College by scores of 5-1 Friday and 7-3 on Saturday. The Lions moved into second place by themselves, just one point behind the league-leading MSOE Raiders. It was a light schedule this week, as just four teams were in action, with UM-Crookston and Lawrence playing two games versus each other as well. The Golden Eagles earned some standings points on the weekend, taking a 6-3 win on Friday and a 1-1 overtime tie Saturday. The schedule will be even lighter during the holiday week: the Lumberjacks will play one game Tuesday, Finlandia will play two games in the College Showcase (in Minneapolis, Minn.) and MSOE will host Gustavus Adolphus, UW-Stout and Neumann in its Thanksgiving Tournament.

         

Left to Right: Joe Beaudry (Finlandia) ... Kyle Knudsen (Minn.-Crookston) ... Kasey Kreuter (Finlandia)

Players of the Week:
-Finlandia University Lions sophomore forward Joe Beaudry (Marquette, MI) gets tabbed the MCHA Player-of-the-Week after his work in the Lions' sweep of Northland. He had a goal and an assist Friday and then came back with another goal and two assists for a five-point weekend that saw him at +5 on the ice. In addition, he was a big contributor on the FU power play that was at 35% for the weekend.
Other nominees: John Lombardi (UM-Crookston)

-Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagles senior goaltender Kyle Knudsen (Mead, Wash.) gets rewarded for his work between the pipes on the weekend by being named MCHA Defensive Player of the Week. He recorded the first victory of the season for the Golden Eagles when he beat Lawrence on Friday. He made 50 saves in the two games, earning a win and a tie with 50 saves and a .926 save percentage. He helped preserve the 1-1 tie with four big saves in the OT session.
Other nominees: Marc Marcotte (Finlandia)

-Finlandia University Lions freshman defenseman Kasey Kreuter (Oneida, WI) gives the Lions two of the three weekly awards by being named MCHA Freshman of the Week. He scored his first collegiate goal, while his line contributed four goals on the weekend. In addition, he was +3 for the two games and helped limit the Northland offense to 21 shots Friday and 28 shots Saturday.
Other nominees: Alex Ehler (Northland), John Lombardi (UM-Crookston)

-November 14, 2006
Former MCHA Players Still Making a Name for Themselves in Professional Hockey
The amount of players to take the ice for the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association increases every season, but the number of players to continue their careers professionally numbers just seven. Of those players, former MSOE Raider Ryan Moren and former Marian Sabre Terry Dunbar are still living the dream of playing professionally. 

Moren (pictured above left), the MCHA Player-of-the-Year in 2000-01 and 2001-02, was also the first-ever league player to sign a professional contract when he inked a deal with the Anchorage Aces in September of 2002. He was a first team all-conference selection four-years straight and is still the MCHA's and MSOE's all-time leading scoring defenseman with 43 goals and 128 points in 104 career games. Moren is currently playing for the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL in Wheeling, West Virginia. So far this season, he has appeared in all 10 games, recording an assist and a +3 rating for the 4-6-0 Nailers.

Dunbar (pictued at left) was a three-time all-league goalie as well as MVP of two MCHA Tournaments. He left Marian as the league and school record holder in numerous categories, and still hold league marks for most wins in a season (13), career wins (37), career minutes (2,689) and best winning percentage in a season (10-0 in 2001-02). This season, he is the starting goaltender for the Knoxville Ice Bears of the SPHL. He has a perfect 5-0-0 mark between the pipes for the team, with a 3.40 GAA and .881 save percentage.

He was recently featured in an article on www.knoxnews.com, written by Nick Gates.

Note: The following story reprinted from knoxnews, Oct. 19, 2006:

Included on Dunbar's work of art is the aerial lift bridge, a landmark in his hometown of Duluth, Minn., as well as an orange shamrock.

"That's for the Irish half of my family," he said after the Ice Bears completed the second day of training camp Wednesday at Civic Coliseum. "I can use all the luck I can get."

A bottle of Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 whiskey on the side attracts attention.

"Well, it's made in Tennessee," he explained. "It's the first thing that comes up on people's minds, at least among some of my friends."

Dunbar isn't certain the distillery will send him a complimentary bottle for the free advertisement, but it is certainly more masculine than Winnie the Pooh. The Disney cartoon character was on the mask he used with the Ice Bears during his first tour of duty with the Ice Bears in 2004-05.

"I got four or five (Pooh) dolls my rookie year from some of the girls," he said. "Maybe they'll bring me some Jack."

On the opposite side from the bottle is a caricature of guitarist Slash of the rock band Guns N' Roses.

"It's a reminder not to slash anybody in the face," he said.

Dunbar was supposed to start the 2004-05 Southern Professional Hockey League playoffs as Knoxville's goalie. But he slashed Columbus' Tom McMonagle in the throat during the final regular-season game at Columbus and was suspended by the league for five games.

"A rookie mistake to say the least," Dunbar said.

McMonagle, who at one time played for the Ice Bears, baited Dunbar and embellished the penalty.

"He really sold it (to the referee), but it's always your own fault," he said.

The Cottonmouths swept the Ice Bears with Jamie Ronayne in goal on their way to the President's Cup. Ronayne led Knoxville to the championship last season, while Dunbar was a backup for the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in the Central Hockey League.

Ronayne retired and the 6-foot-2 Dunbar decided to return this season and is projected to play the bulk of minutes.

Dunbar plans to start the Ice Bears' first preseason game against the Huntsville Havoc on Friday at Civic Coliseum. Opening faceoff is 7:30 p.m. and tickets