Sports

GVL / Brian B. Sevald

Lakers look to heat up ice against CMU

By Greg Monahan GVL Staff Writer
1/20/2010

Winning nine of its last 11 games and beginning a crucial six-game stretch against in-state opponents, the Grand Valley State University men's hockey team looks to stay hot this weekend against the Central Michigan University Chippewas.

Facing a struggling CMU team that has lost three straight contests, the Lakers will use the two weekend games as preparation for their upcoming matchups against the two top teams in the region, Davenport University and Michigan State University.

But GVSU head coach Mike Forbes said the team will not look past this week's opponent.

"These are games that we have to have if we're going to make a move in the (Great Midwest Hockey League)," he said. "If we're going to hold our standing and make a move in the region, it's imperative for us to have a good weekend. Good teams are expected to beat teams like this, and for us to move up, it's going to be important for us to show up for both games."

Coming off two straight wins against Division I opponents Adrian College and Oakland University, the team's quality play has started between the pipes and worked outward, said junior forward Ryan Welch.

"Our goalies are a huge part of our team," he said. "They've been playing very well, and that's key. (Junior goaltender Josh) LaVigne played excellent against Adrian and then Grant (Lyon) played one of his best games that I've seen him play against Oakland. Things for us start in our defensive zone. We take care of our zone first and we go from there."

After spending the last two weeks with several players out due to a recent string of injuries, senior captain Jason Brown said the team's focus this weekend will be to play smart hockey and win the special teams battle.

"We definitely have to stay disciplined," he said. "We have a short bench as it is, and we can't have guys spending time in the penalty box. We're trying to fine tune the power play and the penalty kill, because we know we'll have to capitalize on those chances against better teams like Davenport and Michigan State."

The biggest task at hand this weekend for the Lakers will be to stop CMU forward Jordan Jakubik, who has 36 points in 20 games. Despite his stellar numbers, slowing down the star forward is not impossible, Forbes said.

"Their top line puts up a lot of good numbers," he said. "Jakubik is a prolific scorer and he has great speed. (CMU) has their defense shoot the puck just past our defense and bank it off the boards to give him a breakaway. They do it all the time. Once you shut down that fast break, I think we can matchup any of our lines against their top line."

Face-off is set for 9 p.m. at home this Friday before the Lakers travel to Isabella County Arena on Saturday to wrap up the two-game series.

gmonahan@lanthorn.com

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