October 13, 2004
2004-2005 MCRHL Preview #1
Ball State and Eastern Michigan
Over the course of the next week or so, MCRHL.com will be reviewing and previewing each club in the MCRHL. Heading into the tenth MCRHL season, the race looks to be as tight as ever, and after a successful 2003-2004 season, the league should continue to flourish.
Today we start with Ball State?s A & B squads, along with defending Haschel Cup Champion Eastern Michigan A and Midwest Cup Champion Eastern Michigan B.
Ball State Cardinals (A)
2003-2004 record: 14-15-5 overall, 6-10-4 league
MCRHL regular season finish: 8th
MCRHL Championship finish: 8th
National Championship finish: Elite Eight (DII)
Number of Returning Players: 9 of 11
The Cardinals enter the 2004-2005 season after two tough tournament oustings to close the 2004 year. In overtime at the MCRHL Championships, Ball State was defeated by Ohio State, eventual league runner-up. Then at the Collegiate Roller Hockey National Championships, the Cards were upended by #1 ranked and eventual runner-up Neumann College, 5-4. With nine of eleven players being veterans this year, however, BSU could be looking to turn some heads in the Midwest. Although they?ve lost Adam Knott and EJ Whitney, the two leading scorers from last season, the Cardinals roster three players who scored over 20 points last year, plus senior goaltender Mike Rauch. They also lost over 50% of last year?s penalty minutes among 5 players not returning.
With the experience of last season under their belt, this young team with only two seniors could pull off some upsets, especially early in the season. The Cardinals will open their season October 23 against last year?s Haschel Cup Champion Eastern Michigan Eagles.
Eastern Michigan Eagles (A)
2003-2004 record: 27-9-1 overall, 12-7-1 league
MCRHL regular season finish: 5th
MCRHL Championship finish: Haschel Cup Champions
National Championship finish: Elite Eight (DI)
Number of Returning Players: 11 of 14
Eastern Michigan will enter the season as a veteran laden squad hoping to finish better nationally than their narrow defeat in the Elite Eight last year, and also hoping to defend the Haschel Cup in 2005. The Eagles return four players that scored more than 40 points last year, and three that had more than 50. With the core group of leaders back, five in their senior season, expect EMU to be a team that stays ranked high nationally all year long.
The one big loss suffered was in net, and Gene Diamond and C.J. Angle will be asked to take the place of Cale Kirk, one of the better goaltenders in the MCRHL last season. Gene did play in 15 games last year and posted a 10-4-1 record with a 3.58 GAA though, so the Eagles should still be solid in net. This team should be a threat to win the regular season championship along with the MCRHL Tournament.
Ball State Cardinals (B)
2003-2004 record: 3-14-0 overall, 1-7-0 league
MCRHL regular season finish: 7th
MCRHL Championship finish: Did not qualify
National Championship finish: N/A
Number of Returning Players: 8 of 11
This Ball State squad may have had the toughest season of anyone last year, losing goaltender Kyle Trosky in a fatal car accident in Florida. Not only is he missed in net, but his attitude and character is missed in the lockerroom and by his friends on the team in general. It?s very possible, with the players returning this year, that Kyle could serve as the inspirational force that will get the team into the playoffs this season. Leading scorer Brad Simpson returns for his junior season, and the experience they carry into the season could carry them into the top four teams in the Western Conference.
Eastern Michigan Eagles (B)
2003-2004 record: 24-8-0 overall, 7-1-0 league
MCRHL regular season finish: 1st
MCRHL Championship finish: Midwest Cup Champions
National Championship finish: Final Four
Number of Returning Players: 6 of 14
Eastern Michigan was a dominant B team, both regionally and nationally last season, but will have more new players than old this year. The scoring should still be there, however, as Joe Majewski and Brent Bauer both return. The pair combined for 135 points last season, and will look to put on a repeat performance. Brent Bauer actually lead the nation in scoring among B teams. Rookie Daniel Hundley will have to prove himself in goal in order for this team to hold off other hungry Development Division teams this year though. You should still look for this team to be near the top of the standings all year long. They start the season October 23rd against Eastern Conference rival Michigan State B.
Please stay tuned to MCRHL.com for more previews and updates as we head towards the season opener October 23rd in Wixom, MI.