Club hockey plays pair of games against rival Michigan State

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The CMU club hockey team looks to bounce back after two devastating losses when it plays a pair of games against Michigan State this weekend.

After a bye week, the team is focused on playing against the No. 3 ranked team in the Central region.

“Of course we are motivated about playing State,” said senior forward Mike Lesnau. “They are a good team and they bring the best of us, but it doesn’t matter where the team is from. We are focused on winning and playing a full 60 minute game.”

This weekend, the team has something to prove. Their last two losses put them out of the top 10 in rankings and out of the playoffs for the championship as they currently sit at No. 11.

“It has made us more determined and there is a sense that our back is against the wall,” said head coach Mike Willett. “The team is ready to fight our way back into the top 10.”

CMU still has a lot of time to climb up in the rankings and two wins against MSU would certainly help its cause.

“The current ranking of 11 has pushed us to do better,” Lesnau said. “We know that we are a better team than 11 place and the team realizes that we are going to have a start showing people.”

These rivalry games mean a lot to the players, as some of them are looking at this weekend as a chance to have bragging rights for the rest of the year.

“This weekend means a lot for pride and not to mention they are a really good team,” said goalie Brandon Allor. “To come away with a couple of wins would be huge as well as bragging rights. I expect two good games and if we come ready to play and with our game plan I don’t see why we won’t come away with two wins.”

CMU welcomes back center Ryan Belfy after he took the DePaul weekend off to rest a tweaked groin that he has been struggling with all season long.

The team have also maintained their focus on defense in practice during the bye week.

“We have gone more in depth over the past two weeks as far as what we expect and have emphasized even more the important of protecting the slot area,” Willett said. “We have made some small changes that will help us accomplish that.”

Any time a team goes into a rivalry weekend against an opponent in the same region, expectations are high.

“It’s a huge weekend against a rival State and it’s so important we get a win,” said captain Jordan Jakubik.