The MCHA was back for a full slate of games this past weekend, highlighted by three teams able to complete two-game sweeps. The visit to Concordia University by the Stanley Cup was also a success, as over 1,000 fans waited to get a picture over the course of the 10-hour visit by the historic trophy.

The Stanley Cup actually arrived Friday evening and members of the CUW and Finlandia University men’s hockey teams had their picture opportunity after the Falcons defeated the Lions, 7-6, in a high-scoring thriller.

“In one sense, this was a fundraiser for the hockey program thanks to Tony and his connections,” said Athletic Director Rob Barnhill in a release from the CUW Sports Information Office. “But it turned out to be much more than that. Our staff met excited and appreciative people who traveled here from Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota just to touch the Stanley Cup. It was a great day for CUW, the Ozaukee Ice Center and everybody who loves hockey.”

“Just about everyone had a name or team to search for on the Cup,” smiled Assistant Athletic Director Rick Riehl. “It was exciting to see Coach (Tony) Hrkac's name on the Cup.” Hrkac won the Cup with the Dallas Stars during his playing career. “The stories that people had tying themselves to Cup history were amazing. One lady in attendance, originally from Montreal, had a great uncle who played on three Stanley Cup winning teams.”

On the ice, Adrian College pulled out a couple of nailbiters over Lawrence University, posting a pair of 3-2 victories at home. Chris Stansik recorded four assists to inch closer to a career mark, tying former Bulldog Quinn Waller for most career assists (76) by a defenseman. The victories allowed AC to move into first place in the division.

Marian University was impressive, earning a sweep over a Top 15 team in MSOE (rv/#12), taking thrilling victories of 4-2 and 4-3 to remain the only unbeaten team in league play.

Northland College continues to perform well too, sweeping Lake Forest by scores of 6-3 and 4-2 on the weekend.

In the other series, Concordia was unable to complete the sweep after the win Friday, falling to Finlandia, 5-4, Saturday.

         
-Left to Right: Colin McIntosh (Northland) ... Mitch Kriz (Marian) ... Alex Heinonen (Finlandia)

Players of the Week

-Northland College Lumberjacks senior forward Colin McIntosh (Winnipeg, MB) wins a tight race for MCHA Player of the Week after posting seven-point weekend. The clincher in his team’s sweep was the performance in Saturday’s 6-3 win. He recorded a goal and five assists in the contest, tying the school record for points in a game and breaking the NC mark for assists in a single contest.

Other nominees: Griffen Hodges (Finlandia), Kraig Wright (Northland), Mitch Kriz (Marian)

-Marian University junior defenseman Mitch Kriz (Berwyn, Ill.) earns the nod for MCHA Defensive Player of the Week for his role in the sweep of nationally-ranked MSOE. He got things started Friday by assisting the game-tying and game-winning goals before adding another helper on a late empty-netter. He also played a crucial role Saturday, scoring the first goal while assisting on the game-winning short-handed strike that came with just 1:12 remaining in regulation. He ended the weekend with five points (G/4A) and was +2, having a hand in five of the Sabres eight goals in the series.

Other nominees: Jameson Raymond (Lawrence), Chris Stansik (Adrian), Ian Perrier (Northland)

-Finlandia University Lions forward Alex Heinonen (Hancock, Mich.) is the MCHA Freshman of the Week. He opened the weekend with a goal and assist in Friday’s 7-6 setback, but topped that with his first career hat trick – including the game-winner – in Saturday’s 5-4 victory over Concordia.

Other nominees: Shelby Gray (Adrian)