Lakers Thrash RaidersPublished on: February 21, 2010
Allendale, MI — As the puck dropped for the final time at home for the Grand Valley State University men’s hockey team, the team looked to enter the postseason with momentum. After outscoring their opponent 20-0 in two games, it is full steam ahead for the Lakers. Taking on the Wright State University Raiders, who came into the weekend boasting a 2-24-1 record, the Laker hockey team demolished Wright State on both Friday and Saturday, winning by scores of 11-0 and 9-0. With the regional tournament next weekend, which will decide whether or not GVSU makes the national tournament in early March, the Lakers approached the games as a tune up to the tougher games ahead. GVSU head coach Mike Forbes said after such a lopsided score it can be difficult to know what adjustments to make, but he was mostly pleased with his team’s performance. “It’s hard to know what you have to fix after watching two games like we just watched, but I thought we moved the puck really well and our defense jumped up in the play, which can be something we get a little bit lazy with periodically,” he said. “I thought our defense stayed up with the puck offensively very well, and we hope to continue that into regionals. We have to get back to basics and play the game that we know we can play.” As the team’s last home game of the season, Saturday also served as senior night as the Lakers said goodbye to a handful of players who played their last game on home ice. For those players, the feeling was bittersweet. “It’s really sad to actually leave,” said senior defensemen Kevin Thomas. “This was my last home game and I really wish I could play a few more years, but it was good times and I think the best thing was that we did our job this weekend and got the wins. Now we just have to keep things going next weekend.” Junior forward Brad Keough, who had a slew of points in both weekend games, said the team is on the right track for the postseason. “We just have to show up and work hard and keep playing like we have been,” he said. “When we make the game more complicated than it is, that’s when we really start to lose things. It’s been a good weekend, and if we can carry this momentum into the rest of the season, it should be exciting.” As the Lakers take on seven other teams next weekend with just two teams of the eight total making the national tournament, Forbes said he is excited to see how his team deals with the pressure of a weekend that will define its season. “The thing that I’m looking forward to with next weekend is that there needs to be desperation,” he said. “It’s one loss and you’re out, and I think that our guys recognize that and take a lot of pride in their game. We really want to go to nationals, and it’s up to us now to put forward our best foot and see where it goes from there.” The regional tournament will take place next Saturday and Sunday at DePaul University in Chicago. The Lakers will take on St. Thomas University on Saturday, and if they win, will face an opponent to be announced on Sunday at 3 p.m. If they win that game, they will clinch a berth in the national tournament. 
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