2008 Woodie Awards
Club hockey experiences success and defeat throughout season
By: Tim Ottusch
Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: Sports
Last weekend's last-minute 5-4 loss to Michigan State ended a very up and down season for the club hockey team.
The first part of the team's season saw a high amount of success. CMU was 10-3 and climbed into the top five in the rankings, but finished the regular season 12-17.
"Everybody was ready to get going and we just couldn't lose," said junior defenseman Andrew Anson. "It was a great feeling."
The team then hit a tough stretch that defined the remainder of its regular season. Central finished the regular season on a 2-15 stretch. Ironically enough, the team that sent CMU into its downward spiral was the team that ended its season - Michigan State.
In the team's final game before the semester break, it traveled to East Lansing and lost 7-4. CMU came back from the semester break and never found its groove again.
One of the biggest reasons for the team's seven-game losing streak was its tough schedule. Central played only once against an opponent that wasn't ranked in the top six in its respective region.
The team then put together a final run during regionals. No. 8 CMU beat No. 5 DePaul 5-4 in overtime last Friday to advance to the regional finals.
The team then lost to No. 3 Michigan State 5-4 when a Michigan State player shot the puck toward the net from the corner and it deflected off an MSU player's skate with just 2 minutes, 9 seconds remaining.
"We had the talent to do pretty well this season when it counted and we were one goal from Nationals," said senior Craig Lipar.
The team will lose six seniors to graduation, including Lipar, a three-year captain, forwards Steve Myers and Aaron Jelleberg, defenseman Tyler Davis and goaltenders Mike Jakubik and Shaun Stewart.
The team's losses will leave CMU with some holes to fill for next season.
"You never know what the next year's going to bring you," Anson said. "But (we) have a lot of good players coming back."
The team will return four of its top five leading scorers. Sophomores Jordan Jakubik and Mike Lesnau were the top two in points scored with 61 points and 48, respectively. Juniors Greg Martin and Marty Lipar finished third and fifth in scoring, with 26 points and 20 points, respectively.
sports@cm-life.com
The first part of the team's season saw a high amount of success. CMU was 10-3 and climbed into the top five in the rankings, but finished the regular season 12-17.
"Everybody was ready to get going and we just couldn't lose," said junior defenseman Andrew Anson. "It was a great feeling."
The team then hit a tough stretch that defined the remainder of its regular season. Central finished the regular season on a 2-15 stretch. Ironically enough, the team that sent CMU into its downward spiral was the team that ended its season - Michigan State.
In the team's final game before the semester break, it traveled to East Lansing and lost 7-4. CMU came back from the semester break and never found its groove again.
One of the biggest reasons for the team's seven-game losing streak was its tough schedule. Central played only once against an opponent that wasn't ranked in the top six in its respective region.
The team then put together a final run during regionals. No. 8 CMU beat No. 5 DePaul 5-4 in overtime last Friday to advance to the regional finals.
The team then lost to No. 3 Michigan State 5-4 when a Michigan State player shot the puck toward the net from the corner and it deflected off an MSU player's skate with just 2 minutes, 9 seconds remaining.
"We had the talent to do pretty well this season when it counted and we were one goal from Nationals," said senior Craig Lipar.
The team will lose six seniors to graduation, including Lipar, a three-year captain, forwards Steve Myers and Aaron Jelleberg, defenseman Tyler Davis and goaltenders Mike Jakubik and Shaun Stewart.
The team's losses will leave CMU with some holes to fill for next season.
"You never know what the next year's going to bring you," Anson said. "But (we) have a lot of good players coming back."
The team will return four of its top five leading scorers. Sophomores Jordan Jakubik and Mike Lesnau were the top two in points scored with 61 points and 48, respectively. Juniors Greg Martin and Marty Lipar finished third and fifth in scoring, with 26 points and 20 points, respectively.
sports@cm-life.com
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