In the Crease with CKich30

D2, D2 Central Rankings #4 Predictions, D3 Wrap Up.

The views expressed in this article are that of the writer, and do not reflect the views/ opinions of SIUE Hockey, SIUE, ACHA, MACHA or anyone else who I am leaving out. This is merely for fun and to provoke thoughts about the MACHA, ACHA Hockey and ACHA Central Region. Casey Kicielinski (CKich30) played for SIUe from 2003-2008 and is their D2 Assistant Coach, D2 and D3 Goalie Coach, statistician, photographer, twitter guy, siuehockey.net webmaster, and machahockey.com webmaster. Here we go...

  After nearly 7 years of posting dissertations for posts on the MACHA Forum, I decided that it was time for a blog. I will still frequent the board, but will try and keep this a weekly blog, with opinions on SIUE Hockey, the MACHA, ACHA, etc. Thanks in advance for reading, and I hope I can keep your interest for at least 5 minutes.

Written January 30th, 2012,

D2 Cougars Come Out Swinging

After Christmas break, the SIUe Cougars D2 Team is off to a 5-1 start in the 2nd Semester, currently standing at 20-6-3. In their last action, D2 clinched the MACHA Gold Division Regular Season Title with a sweep against Loyola. With the 1st place finish, the Cougars will start MACHA playoff action on Saturday in Kankakee, IL with the opponent to be determined on Friday (2/17) during the Quarterfinals.

While both Red and Blue Lines are off to a torrid pace, Zach Bunjan has found his game popping in 10 points in his last 6 games, including 3 power play goals. TJ Henson is healed, and is mesmerizing defenses throughout the league, making up for lost time. Next up for D2 is #4 Lindenwood, which will be a home and home series, first traveling to Wentzville, MO on Friday for a 10:15 game, then playing in primetime at East Alton Saturday at 4:15.

D2 Rankings #4 Predictions

Those 2 aforementioned games with #4 Lindenwood will play a huge roll to whether SIUe will jump up in the rankings. If all stayed equal right now, the Cougars would battle Ferris State, a team who swept the Cougars 4-2, 8-6 in Big Rapids, Michigan. SIUe was without TJ Henson, however, and he may be the key to breaking through the Bulldogs.

Here is how I see the Central Region stacking up after the last 3 weeks of games:

1. Grand Valley
2. Michigan State
3. DePaul
4. Lindenwood
   The top four teams should stay as is, no real big changes either way for any of these clubs.
5. Ferris State (14-11-2)
6. SIUe (20-6-3)
7. Central Michigan (15-13-2)
8. Illinois State (14-9-1)
9. Michigan (12-11-1)
10. Mizzou (13-8-2)
    I have these 6 teams switching a bit from last rankings period. Ferris is sitting at 5, but barely. Had SIUe fared better in MI, they would have the 5 spot. Too many big wins keeps FSU at 5, while they have faltered lately, recently splitting with ISU in Bloomington. SIUE is 5-1, with 3 of those 5 wins coming against ranked opponents after the break. Illinois State hops Michigan with their recent hot play beating #3 DePaul at home in OT and splitting with #5 Ferris State. Michigan stays at 9, with their last sweep occuring in early Nov., yet splitting with higher ranked opponents, and playing a tougher schedule than most. Mizzou hops ahead of St. Cloud and into the 10 seed, having 5 wins against clubs in the top 15, most recently a sweep of Missouri State. Mizzou tied #1 Florida Gulf Coast team who is favored to win Nationals earlier this year. Playing with a team of that caliber that close should deserve a shot at Regionals. St. Cloud split with both unranked NMU and Minnesota, the Huskies now have as many losses vs. unranked opponents as they do wins vs ranked opponents. They had a good Showcase to begin the year, but have played the weakest schedule of any team in the top 15, and they drop out of the top 10.
11. St. Cloud (14-4-3)
12. Iowa - Splitting with RMU- Chicago and SLU cooled off one of the hottest teams in the Central
13. Missouri State- lost 4 of last 6 to SIUE and Mizzou, Regional chances are over.
14. Illinois
15. RMU-Chicago

D3 Wrap Up

D3 has 1 more set of games remaining against Waldorf College, a small school from Albert Lea, MN currently 11-3 in ACHA play. It is exciting to watch this team play over the course of the season, as they were in every game, and never gave up. While that sounds minor in detail, to a coach, that is huge and the progress is evident. 8 wins is a big step from last season, and in those wins came some big milestones. Splitting with McKendree showed that this team is turning the corner, and beat a team that went to D3 Nationals last season. Beating Missouri State is only something that has happened once in the last 6 seasons, with the last victory coming off the heels of a Brandon Becker 61 save performance as the Cougars D3 won 2-1. As of 1/15, Jeffrey Gaskill put up 31 points, 17 G, 14 A, and with the Central Illinois Gambetti, Hautula, Cape, Swann Combo, this team saw a rise in scoring where they didnt have to rely on 1 player to do it all. This is a young, much more skillled team than in years past and a team that will grow into something pretty big next year. I wouldn't be surprised to see D3 in post season action next season.
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Written December 27th, 2011,

D2 Cougars at Break, Mid Season MVP

After 21 games for the Cougar D2 team, they sit still at #8, 15-3-3 in D2 play after the 3rd ACHA Central Rankings were released. Good for sure, yet far behind the expectations that this team set at the beginning of the season. When all 3 components of this team click, they have proven dominant. That being said, those dominant performances have come few and far between, which isnt good enough for a team contending for a national berth. For a team expecting so much, they have to put the little pieces of the puzzle to get a chance to view the big picture. This team can complain about a bias in the rankings, bad bounces, poor officiating, etc. However, teams built for a championship give no excuses, because they are too busy winning, and dominating the things they can control, something which the D2 Squad has yet to do on a consistant basis.

If the Season ended today, my pick for the MVP would have to be the Red Line, composed of TJ Henson, Brad Keenan, and Cory Beck. This is consistantly the most dominant line on the ice, creating turnovers for scoring opportunities, and even if they dont put the puck in the back of the net they hold the zone and set the table for other lines to pounce, and rarely get caught for mistakes that end up in the back of the net.

Rankings 3 Analysis, the Road Ahead for D2

ACHA Central Rankings going into the 2nd Semester look like this:

1. Grand Valley
2. Michigan State
3. DePaul
4. Lindenwood
5. Ferris State
6. Central Michigan
7. St. Cloud
8. SIUe
9. Michigan
10. Illinois State
11. Missouri State
12. Missouri
13. Iowa
14. Illinois
15. NIU

The Top 8 didnt budge since last rankings, which save for a few teams, I agree with. I would have DePaul and Michigan State switched, as DePaul has yet to lose in regulation, Michigan State has dropped a few to teams below them. Had SIUe swept NIU, there would be reason for the Cougars to jump to the #6 spot, as they would have fared better than Central Michigan against 3 common opponents (ISU, NIU, Ferris). Bad goals in Game 1 prevented the sweep, and the Cougars have to stay put at #8. Michigan at #9 is very questionable, currently 7-7 in D2 play, with their only ranked wins coming against Bowling Green [SE #13] and NIU [#15]. The Wolverines haven't won since November 6th. They have a very strong schedule, but that means nothing if you cant win games with it.

MACHA Gold Teams Illinois State, Missouri State, Missouri, and Iowa hold the 10-13 spots respectively. All have played games against each other, and Mizzou and Mo State have 2 more tilts for conference play later in January. In the games against each other, here's how these teams fared:

• ISU - 2-3-1 (1-0-1 vs. Mo State, 0-2 vs. Mizzou, 1-1 vs. Iowa)
• Mo State - 5-1 (2-0 against both Mizzou and Iowa, 1-1 vs. ISU)
• Mizzou - 2-4 (Swept ISU, Swept by Iowa and Mo State)
• Iowa - 3-2-1 (0-1-1 vs Mo State, 1-1 vs. ISU, swept Mizzou)

With that, Missouri State should be in the 9 spot, not only via the head to head with MACHA Gold teams, but they have stronger ranked wins than Michigan. Iowa would take the 10, Mizzou at #11 Michigan at #12, and ISU at #13. Illinois at #14 and NIU at #15 is fine by me.

Next Up for the Cougars

Looking ahead, D2 has some very formidable opponents coming up, and must be on top of their game night in and night out to maintain a top 10 ranking, let alone move up.

2nd Half opponents include:

• #11 Missouri State (1/14-15 iat East Alton)
• #14 Illinois (1/20-21 in Champaign)
• Unranked Loyola (1/27-28 in Willmette, IL)
• #4 Lindenwood (2/3-4, in Wentzville, MO on the 3rd then at East Alton on the 4th)
• #13 Iowa [Non Conference] (2/10-11, in East Alton)

10 games against all very capable teams. Should the Cougars run the table, they could get as high as 5th, should the higher ranked teams drop a few games.

Stat Whore - Making ESPN Jealous, 1 stat at a time

• D2 is 6-0 in ACHA Showcase Play in last 2 years
• D2 has yet to sweep ISU since the Redbirds joined the MACHA Gold Divsion (07-08)
• D2 is 2-4 in 1 goal games, 1-3 in OT or Shootout games, all OTL's at home
• In those 3 OTL's, SIUE has outshot their opponents 175-103
• D2 has taken 110 minutes in Misconduct Penalties - Zac Bunjan has 40 PIMs for chirping
• D2 is 12-2 in games when scoring at least 5 goals
• D2 is 8-3-2 vs. Ranked Opponents
• D2 has 8 players with double-digit point totals
• D2 is 4-0 when playing somewhere in Missouri
• Alex Edwards has more points this season [31] than he had in 10-11 [28]
• David Borre had more wins in his last semester [7], than in any season the last 4 years
• SIUe is 2-0-2 on Sunday's this season

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Written November 24th, 2011

So much for a weekly blog eh?

After getting tied up in a little venture called life, here comes the 3rd entry to In the Crease. A lot of hockey has been played for both teams, with each building a solid foundation for which to build for the rest of this season. In this entry, Ill discuss D2, D3, and a rankings forecast for the D2 team, as the new rankings should come out in the first week of December.

D2 Cougars at the Half

We are a bit more than mid-way through the season, and the D2 team sits at 13-2-3, and ranked 8th after 1 ranking period in the ACHA Central Region, another topic in itself which Ill hit on in later. The Cougars recently dominated a Illinois State team last weekend, outshooting the Redbirds 126-60 in 2 games, only to get a win and an shootout loss in those 2 games. The only thing missing from the Cougar's game, is that finishing touch. In all 3 games the Cougars have lost in either overtime (RMU-Chicago) or a shootout (Mizzou, ISU) they have posted at least 50 shots or more in each. Speed is a prime factor of success in the game of hockey, but the death blow can only be dealt by finishing on backdoor opportunities and 2nd chances off of rebounds.

D2 has 13 games remaining, 10 of which will most likely be against ranked opponents, as Northern Illinois, Missouri State, and Illinois are currently ranked and are playing well through Thanksgiving Break. Current #4 Lindenwood, and a recently white-hot Iowa Hawkeye team who the Cougars swept earlier this year 5-3 and 4-3 in a shootout remain for the #8 seed. As long as the fellas can take care of their game, SIUe should secure its 2nd run to regionals with a great shot at Nationals.

D2 Quick Hits

• Alex Edwards is 2 points away from tying his point total from 2010-11 (28)
• Jared Ippolito has posted a carrer high in goals (22) only 18 games into the season
• SIUe is 1-0-2 on Sunday Games, with each decided by 1 goal, both losses coming in Shootouts.
• When Scoring 5 or more goals SIUE is 11-1; 2-1-3 when scoring less than 5.
• SIUE is 5-2-2 against ranked opponents
• Cougars have yet to lose a game when John Wright scores a goal

D2 Rankings Outlook

Rankings #2 Top 19

Rank	Team	Previous	Record vs D2	Since 1st Period
#1		#1	8-0	5-0
#2		#2	10-0-2	4-0
#3		#3	3-1-3	0-0-1
#4		#4	11-4-2	4-2
#5		#5	10-5-1	1-2
#6		#8	7-3-1	5-0-2
#7		#7	12-2-1	5-0-1
#8		#9	13-2-3	4-1-1
#9		#6	11-6-1	2-2-1
#10		#10	7-5	3-2
#11		#11	10-6-2	3-3
#12		#13	8-3-1	3-2-1
#13		#12	9-5-1	1-1
#14		NR	7-8-2	5-1
#15		#13	6-7-1	2-5
#16		NR	9-8-3	2-2
#17		#15	6-7-1	1-5
#18		#15	7-6-2	0-6

 

D3 Mid-Season Review

The Cougars D3 are off to a 5-9 start, with much room to improve and plenty of MACHA Silver Conference Games remaining. Most promising is that 3 of the top 5 D3 scorers are freshmen (Jeffrey Gaskill, Nathan Cape, and Garrett Charton) and lines are beginning to click. On defense, Dillion Keefe, Brent Lyons, and John Davis have all contributed 6 points each from the blue line and shore up an otherwise young defensive corps with their veteran presence. Goaltenders continue to adapt to the collegiate level, as both Brandon Meyer and Jake Davis have posted above 5.00 GAA's and Save Percentage's below 85%, and will need to step up their game to aid in D3's success.

After a series with Northern Kentucky, D3 will play their next 8 games against Silver South opponents RMU-Springfield, Missouri State, Purdue, and highly touted RMU-Peoria. With strong performances and some help from the rest of the league, D3 still has a shot at making the MACHA Playoffs for the first time in 3 years.

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Written September 29th, 2011

D3 /Wheaton Series Review

SIUE D3 opened up there season last weekend, and that team is vastly improved. Talent is high in the Cougars system right now, and the D3 team is providing something not only seen in games but in practice as well, heart. Teams of the past have mixed emotions about either A) playing, B) being there, C) lines combinations, or D) losing. There is a feeling both at and away from the rink that is very comforting to a coach, and that is the fact that there is 0 clique here, the D3 club isnt all about 1 line, or a goalie going into every game having to play his bag off to surrender a 5-1 loss and not a blowout. Winning elements are everywhere, and when a team gels, its tough to break up. James Hautula, a 1st line forward, was hurt in Friday's game, and led by a hat-trick by Freshman Jeffrey Gaskill and Netminder David Borre, won 8-0. Saturday, down multiple times, this squad came back to win by an 8-5 margin. The differences from this year and last year were evident in only a weekend of play.

• Scoring - this team scored 16 goals in 2 games - 81 all of last year. You had a better chance winning the lottery than seeing a goal from the 10-11 team.
• Discipline - The Cougars played, for the most part, a clean game. Last years team lost games in the first period living in the penalty box.
• Resilience - Losing on 3 separate occasions in game 2, to come back and outscore your opponent in 5-1 in the 2nd period is huge, regardless of who it is against.
• Scoring from everywhere - Aaron Tucker matched his 10-11 season goal output in 1 game, and is halfway to his point total. 11 different players registered goals on the weekend, on breakaways, one timers, being patient, and hitting players backdoor , tape-to-tape for paydirt. This is more than a one guy, or one line team.

Sure, it has been only 2 games, and this team is far from proven, however, the signs are much too positive to ignore. This weekend's matchup against Eastern will be a true test for this team. EIU is a former Gold Division opponent, and were very competitive against all comers last season. A split would be more than anyone would expect after last years performance, a sweep would turn many heads in the MACHA Silver, and in the D3 Pacific Region.

Around the MACHA

2 weeks of games have been play by some MACHA teams, and some of the results are surprising, compared to how teams finished last season.

Loyola has jumped out to a 3-1 start with a split of ISU (who split with 2010-11 #4 Lindenwood) and swept Kansas. The Ramblers are only a win shy of tying last season's mark of 4.

Mizzou has turned it around; after losing to Missouri State 9-3, they have rebounded and swept the reigning MACHA Gold Division Champion SLU last weekend. With the Mizzou/Mo State Rivialry one of the tops in the MACHA, I would expect a much more disciplined game from a more seasoned Tigers team when they play the Ice Bears in Conference play.

SLU has been less than stellar in their first 5 games. While going 2-2-1, 3 of those 5 games were against D3 opponents (2-0-1) with a win vs McKendree and a win and a tie against Purdue, who was later spanked by ISU D3 by 9-2, and 7-2 count. I would expect their play to pick up as they head into the ACHA Showcase in 2 weeks.

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Written August 24th, 2011

Pre-Tryout Skate

The last week of August means that school is about to start up, with students from all over getting their dorm rooms prepped, books in order, and for those looking to play hockey this year at SIUE, getting their legs back into hockey shape. Monday's first pre-tryout skate saw 41 players in attendance, with even more expected on Wednesday as everyone is getting acquainted to their class schedule. The was a consensus opinion among the coaches in the stands that the speed and skill of the entire club has raised dramatically since last season, and that will benefit both teams, especially the D3 squad when teams are decided. There was some rust between the pipes, but as soon as the goalies were warmed up there was a definite sign of competitiveness between the goalies not only for the game, but for the right to fill last year MACHA Goaltender of the Year Luke Venker's spot.

D2 Schedule

Last season the D2 team finished #8 in the Central Region Rankings, finishing at 20-5 in the regular season. Those who played SIUe felt that may be a bit on the low side, considering the amount of big wins, and ACHA Showcase Sweep, wins by massive margins, and the few losses the Cougars suffered were by only 1 goal. Others around the league felt that SIUE had a weak schedule having not facing a Michigan team, and lack of games in the back half of the season would lead to a downfall in Playoff and Regional play. This year's schedule may the be remedy.

MACHA Outlook

The Cougars have 16 MACHA Gold Conference games this season, many of which will be against ranked opponents. Last year's MACHA Gold Champion SLU finished the year at #5 in the region, and will look to best their excellent season this year. Illinois State finished the year at #7, but were ousted by Missouri State in the first round of the MACHA playoffs, and were also taken down by eventual National Qualifier Central Michigan in the first round of the ACHA Central Regionals. Northern Illinois saw a renaissance season last year, hovering around the .500 mark for the first time in awhile. They have expanded their program by adding a second team at the D3 level, which would lead me to believe that the D2 team will be able to hold their own and win some big games. Mizzou, Iowa, and Missouri State finished last season unranked, but always field teams that battle in every game and give themselves the opportunity to win any night. Missouri State has brought in a big recruiting class this year, revamping their team up front. Lastly, Loyola and Kansas may have finished at the bottom of the league last year, but Loyola moved up from Silver last season with an intention to be a contender in forthcoming seasons. Will this year be the year?

Non Conference Schedule, Showcase

The bitching and moaning about a weak schedule can end here, as SIUe's out of conference schedule is among the best they have had in years. Opening the season against the Gophers from Minnesota will be a tough battle, especially after being overlooked and not making into Regionals last season, finshing last season at #11. U of M tied for a share of the WCCHA Regular Season Championship, and won the WCCHA Tournament, only to be edged out by St. Cloud for the #10 rank going into Regionals.

The Following weekend will pit the Cougars at the ACHA Showcase, in 3 games (schedule yet to be announced) against teams from around the Country which include Colorado, Colorado State, Utah State, San Diego State, Washington, Texas, Texas A&M, Florida Gulf Coast, Miami (OH), Penn State, Kentucky, last season's National Champion Grand Valley, Michigan State, DePaul, St. Cloud St., and host Lindenwood.

SIUE will make the trek to Big Rapids, MI to take on Ferris State during the last weekend of October, a team who is looking to bounce back from a dismal season last year, yet plays in the strongest conference in the Nation in the GMHL. In November, RMU-Maroon will travel down to East Alton to avenge their 8-2 ACHA Showcase loss against SIUE last season. After a strong 2nd semester, RMU battled their way to the #13 spot in the Central Region.

The Cougars will head up to Champaign to take on Illinois at the Armory, which is known nation wide as one of the biggest playing surfaces to host a hockey game. Illinois hovered around the 9-12 spots all of last season, finshing at #12 behind the 2 surging Minnesota teams.

Cross-town rival Lindenwood will be a part of a home and home set against SIUE. The Lions from Lindenwood have been among the class of the Central Region the last 3 seasons, they were in the #1 spot last season, but their chances of an auto-bid ended when they split against Illinois State, were swept by SLU mid-2nd semester.

SIUE has the schedule, a solid team, and they control their own destiny from Game 1. SIUE will just need to show the naysayers that they belong, 1 game at a time.

- CKich30 (Follow on Twitter at twitter.com/#SIUE_Hockey)

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Last Week's Entry
Upcoming Tryouts, MACHA Silver Realignment touched upon.

 Upcoming Tryouts

Its August 2, and SIUE Hockey Tryouts are right around the corner, only 25 days away. Everyone within the club is oozing excitement from MACHA Defenseman of the Year John Wright, to Andrew Tucker, who was the D3 Team Manager/ Defensive Coach, and will be trying out this season as he enters Grad School. This team will be missing the familiar faces of Captain Mike Dolan, the "long hair - dont care" defensive southpaw Adam Gernigin, the 1 man mosh pit Matt Grimes, the ultimate try-hard Ryan McTigue, the skinniest non-goalie shot blocker in Andy Stratton, and the 6'6 Bandana'd Backstopper in Luke Venker.

However, Mini Camp got everyone excited at the prospects that will be incoming this season. Players from Rockford, Chiicago, Decatur, Pekin, Springfield, Bloomington, Edwardsville, St. Louis, and even out-of-state players from Colorado, Indiana, and New York look to fill the void with an immediate impact on either team. While the Dolan Brothers will never be placed on the same line again, a new pair may emerge, as Josh Bunjan is transfering from Lindenwood to join brother and D2 pivot Zac Bunjan. Newly appointed D2 Head Coach Mike Edwards could hardly contain himself seeing the promise and potential at Mini Camp, has been seen attending the Wednesday skates to familiarize himself with the team, and is chomping at the bit to get this season started.

The new SIUE threads are 1 season broken in with hits, goal cele's, big saves, and reek of the smell of hard work; all that is left is the sight of 21 jerseys surrounding a trophy at the end of the year.

 MACHA Silver Expansion

 An exciting change to the MACHA is the expansion of both North and South Divisions in the MACHA Silver Tier. Last year showed that while schools may be in the Silver Tier, there is still plenty of good hockey to be found. The Purdue/Bradley Silver Championship Tilt was awesome, as they combined speed, physicallity, and fine goaltending from both netminders. For the 2011-12 Season almost every team in the Silver Tier has also become a member of the ACHA D3, giving them an honest shot at at Regional and National Title.

Here is the 2011-12 Silver Tier Division Breakdown:

Silver North	Silver South
Marquette (D3)	Western Illinois (D2)
U. Wisconsin - Platteville (D2)	Robert Morris - Peoria (D3)
Augustana (D2)	Robert Morris - Springfield (D3)
Robert Morris - Black (D3)	Purdue (D3)
Northwestern (D3)	Illinois State (D3)
Wheaton (D3)	McKendree (D3)
Northern Illinois (D3)	SIUe (D3)
Iowa (D3)	Missouri State (D3)
Iowa State (D3)	Bradley (D3)

The Silver North has many teams relatively new to the MACHA, 2 who were ranked wire to wire in the Pacific Division of the ACHA D3 in Iowa and Iowa State, Iowa State going to Regionals. The focus to me however, is the South Division, as both Silver Championship Finalists (Purdue and Bradley) will battle out playoff spots with a Regional Qualifier in Missouri State, and a National Qualifier in McKendree. The remaining teams are not far off, having watched our D3 battle Western, RMU-P, RMU-S and ISU, who has improved greatly in recent seasons. SIUe didnt win a game in conference last season, yet played with every team in the division.

This Division will be a big test for the D3 Cougars, especially considering with the amount of players returning in addition to the talent that was at the Mini Camp in June. After all is said and done more than 30 incoming players will be trying out, plus 13 outskaters returning from D3, and 14 returning from D2 and what looks to be 3 returning goalies and 4 new netminders, that im aware of will try and make the cut. Everyone is excited for D2, and this team will have the ability to even exceed what they did a season ago. But finally, after 4 years of waiting, the potential this D3 team can have has Coach Walker counting down the days til tryouts, and may have a legit at a winning season and a Pacific Regional Berth.

Until next time, thanks for reading this edition, and join us on twitter (SIUE_Hockey) to recieve in game updates. Hope to see you in September when D2 opens the season against the Golden Gophers from Minnesota at the East Alton Ice Arena.