Club hockey team eliminated from playoffs despite four-game win streak

The American Collegiate Hockey Association Central regional rankings were updated Tuesday, but not in favor of the CMU club hockey team.

The team’s four-game win streak to close out the ranking period was not enough to make the playoffs, as it finished the regular season ranked No. 12, two spots out.

Even with its playoff hopes gone, Central coach Mike Jakubik said he expects the team will come to play this weekend in the series against Davenport University.

“I’m hoping everyone plays hard to finish out the season and gives 100 percent,”
Jakubik said.

The teams, which split the 2008-09 season series, play at 8 p.m. Friday at Davenport, then wrap the series at 9 p.m. Saturday at Mount Pleasant Ice Arena.

No. 1 Davenport (25-12-0-2; Central Region), also is on a four-game win streak coming into the weekend series. Forward Robert Collar leads the Central region in assists with 44 and points with 71.

“We’ve got to limit their chances and odd-man rushes,” Jakubik said. “They’re the kind of team that puts a lot of shots on net.”

CMU (11-13-2-2) welcomes back freshman defenseman Trevor Vosmik, who was suspended Feb. 12 because of a spearing penalty, and senior defenseman Joe VanderMarliere, suspended for two weeks after a penalty against Grand Valley University. Vosmik returns Friday, while VanderMarliere is eligible Saturday.

The returning players add depth and relief to an undermanned defense. With four defenders to dress, the team was forced to use senior forward Marty Lipar as a fifth defenseman last weekend against Lake Superior State.

With the season coming to an end, so will the CMU hockey careers of some of the players, including Lipar, the team’s captain. Lipar had a career-best season, scoring 12 goals and adding 28 assists.

“It’s been a great, long career at CMU,” he said. “A win would be a great way to cap off my career against one of the best teams in the league.”