SCSU hockey releases schedule

Last week the SCSU’s men and women’s hockey schedule was released for the upcoming 2009-2010 season.

The men’s hockey team faces the University of Lethbridge on Oct.. 4 in an exhibition game to tone up their skills and kinks before opening the regular season against Miami University (Ohio).

“It’s a great opportunity to have an exhibition game at the beginning of the season,” said Bob Motzko, head coach of the men’s hockey team. “Its an opportunity to put the uniform on and get rid of any mistakes or kinks in our play.”

“We start the season against arguably the best team in the country. They are either the No. 1 or No. 2 team in the country and it will be a quick test for the team to come out strong,” Motzko said.

Last season the Huskies posted an overall record of 18-17-3 with a 13-13-2 record in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).

“The WCHA is the toughest division in the country,” said Motzko. “SCSU is a strong force in collegiate hockey and we are looking forward to another challenging season.”

Coach Motzko recently signed a 6-year contract extension through the 2014-15 season.
“I am very excited to be here,” Motzko said. “It’s a great feeling to be with my al ma-mater and I can’t wait to build towards the future.”

The Huskies lost four players this past season in defense man David Carlisle, forward/defense man John Swanson, forward Michael Olson and forward Brent Borgen.

“Losing players after graduation has become part of a natural process,” Motzko said. “You don’t look at what you losing when students graduate, but what new opportunities are laid in front of you.”

The WCHA conference consists of SCSU, University of Minnesota, Minnesota State Mankato, University of Minnesota Duluth, Colorado College, University of Wisconsin, University of Alaska-Anchorage, Denver University and Michigan Tech.

Last season the Huskies had troubles against the University of Minnesota and University of North Dakota. Against North Dakota the Huskies went 1-3. Against the University of Minnesota the Huskies posted a 0-6 record, including playoffs.

“Prior to last season we had a winning record against Minnesota,” Motzko said. “We have to get back to that same mentality and physical peakness to compete with a good team like the Gophers.”

The Huskies have much to do this off-season to prepare for the season that lies ahead.

“In the Spring and the beginning of the Summer the team made great strides,” said Motzko. “We still have to work on strength training. We have to have more explosive skating. There is a lot that we can work on, but we have to take it in little strides.”

The team opens their regular season traveling to Miami (Ohio) for the Oct. 9-10 weekend.

The women’s hockey team schedule was released and they are looking at a tough exhibition game against Team USA on Sept. 26 at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud. They start off their regular season against Niagara University at home on Oct. 2-3.