By Greg Monahan
For gvsuhockey.com

Published on: March 1, 2010       Comment      Email This Post      Print This Post

LAKERS INSIDER

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Just two weeks away from the national tournament, the Grand Valley State University women’s hockey team dropped two of three games in their conference tournament against opponents it expects to match up against again in the National Championships in mid-March.
The team got off to a hot start on Friday winning a 6-0 decision against Ohio State University. Sophomore goaltender Kristie Kowalski turned away all 19 shots that came her way.
Saturday, however, was not as fortuitous for the team as it lost 4-3 to Michigan State University and 2-0 against top-ranked Lindenwood University, both teams GVSU has yet to beat this year. Though the team ended the weekend with a 1-2 record, head hockey coach Cory Whitaker said he liked what he saw.
“In both the Michigan State and Lindenwood game, we had lots of scoring opportunities,” he said. “We executed our systems really well. We created turnovers and had a couple breakaways, and their goalies came up big. Our goalies played great as well, but our mistakes were exaggerated a little bit because the other teams capitalized on them.”
After dropping the two close games against Michigan State and Lindenwood, Kowalski said the team’s unfortunate results will provide them extra motivation for nationals in two weeks.
“The puck just did not bounce our way,” she said. “All the teams are so evenly matched, it all comes down to drive and who wants it more. I know that after losing this weekend, we have that want and that need to go out and perform next weekend. It’s going to be all the girls playing for each other and playing for our school, trying to get that win.”
The weekend was also special for a number of Lakers on the team, as four members received Central Collegiate Women’s Hockey Association All-Conference honors. Those players included Kowalski, along with her sister in defenseman Keely Kowalski and forwards Ashley Rumsey and Lynn Loechli.
To have four players earn All-Conference honors in the program’s third year is an honor for which Whitaker said he is grateful.
“To have four players selected out of 140 for the top 12 positions is amazing,” he said. “You work hard at something for 16 weeks, and then to get some recognition from around the league, it’s a great honor for the girls and the program.”
Going into the National Championship tournament, the Lakers will look to improve upon last year’s No. 10 ranked finish. The possibility for the Lakers to end with a very high finish is something junior Loechli said is a dream of both hers and the team’s.
“I know it’s possible for our team to be first,” she said. “I probably would never have been that excited in my life if we do that. Just thinking about it gets me excited and my adrenaline going, and I know it gets the team excited. It means the world to me, and I’m so proud of myself and my team to be a part of this.”
The No. 4 seeded Lakers will skate at the National Championship tournament set to begin in Blaine, Minn., on March 11.