Club hockey enjoys weekend off

The CMU club hockey team has this weekend off after its first 10 games.

Central is 5-3 with two overtime losses and is one of 12 teams in the Central Division to earn double-digit points early in the season out of 45 teams.

The team held a skills competition Thursday to change what has been a business-like approach on the ice. The light-intensity week was also gave a chance for Mike Lesnau and Tyler Pons to get back on the ice since missing time.

Lesnau has not played this season because of offseason shoulder surgery and rehabilitation that lasted into the season’s start. Pons was injured early in the season and has sat out since with shoulder problems similar to Lesnau — a torn rotator cuff and ligaments. Both practiced this week and are hopeful to return in the Nov. 6 game against Saginaw Valley State. Lesnau’s specific return, however, remains uncertain.

Lesnau said he will focus on getting back in shape to regain a lot of ice time.

“Tuesday was a little rough,” Lesnau said. “We scrimmaged and, after the first couple shifts, I was a little gassed. (The shoulder) feels good now.”

Goaltender Zach Knaus said he is looking forward to the weekend off after hurting his knee against Bowling Green.

Goal-scoring

Eighteen of 19 skaters have scored a goal so far. Jordan Jakubik, Marty Lipar and Nick Badder account for about 52 percent of the points scored.

Jakubik leads the team with 22 points, including nine goals.

Captain Marty Lipar said the weekend off is a turning point to the season because Lesnau’s return, a player who had 46 points last season, along with the return of Pons and Knaus. Lipar said Central adds more depth to an already competitive roster.

“That’s a great addition, that gives us even more depth,” he said. “(Lesnau) was one of our top producers last year … that’s going to make practices even more tough because one more guy is going to have to sit out each game.”