Finlandia in unfamiliar territory heading into this weekend
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HANCOCK -- After a 4-0 win over Lawrence and a 2-2 tie at Marian, the Finlandia Lions' men's hockey team is in a position they have not been in since they were part of the MCHA, and that is exciting for everyone involved.
The Lions are currently 3-5-2 in NCHA play, good for eight points, which puts them one point out of a playoff spot. Digging a little deeper, the Lions are just five points behind North Division-leading St. Norbert.
For the Lions' seniors, Paul Lochner, Avery Huibregtse, Bryce Mitzel, Timo Kocar, Kendall Bolen-Porter and Alex Rezansoff, this moment is very special, and coach Joe Burcar is excited for all of them to be in the playoff hunt finally.
"It's exciting," said Burcar. "These are two opponents ahead of us in the standings. It's cool because, since I have been back, we have not been able to say that we are in the hunt at the end of the year."
Burcar, who is deep into his third full season back with the program, has recruited heavily over the last two offseasons to bring in a number of local players and players with local ties, and that core is beginning to gel into something far bigger than he could ever imagine.
The Lions, who were looking for a measure of revenge after a 3-1 loss to the Vikings back on Dec. 1, got it very quickly as freshman defenseman Cory Richardson scored his first career goal just 4:03 in. Forwards Teddy Randell, a freshman, and Hunter Kero, a sophomore, both scored goals in the third to help seal the victory.
On Saturday, sophomore forward Cale Markham and Randell both scored to give the Lions a 2-0 lead over Marian.
Players with local connections racked up eight points on six goals over the weekend. Burcar loves the local talent because, as he puts it, they are "coachable."
Richardson's goal was also significant. While it was his first goal, it was assisted sophomore defenseman Adam Wammes. Wammes and Richardson are quickly developing into the Lions' top defensive pairing.
"(Cory) has had a lot of chances," Burcar said. "He is a guy that sees a lot of ice and we expect a lot of him as a freshman. We have really seen him grow."
Richardson, a Greeley, Colorado, native, and Wammes, who hails of Petrolia, Ontario, played junior hockey together, so it was a natural fit to put them together a number of weeks ago, and Burcar is pleased with the results.
Burcar is also happy with the efforts of his coaching staff, in particular Micah Stipech and Jeff Finger, as their instruction has helped mold Richardson and his teammates over the course of the season.
"When a guy like Jeff talks in the locker room, we all want to listen," Burcar said. "He's played at a level we all want to get to."
This weekend, the Lions face a pair of teams who sit ahead of them in the North Division standings in St. Scholastica and Northland College.
The Saints come in with a record of 9-7-1 overall and 4-5-1 in NCHA play.
Cole Golka leads the team in goals (9) and points (17) through 17 games. Jordan Fralich leads the team in assists (15) and in power play points (10).
Goaltender Nick Trenciansky is 8-4-1 in 13 appearances with a 2.47 goals against average and a .922 save percentage.
The Lumberjacks come into this weekend with a record of 7-8-2 overall and 5-3-2 in NCHA play, which is good for third in the North.
Kalib Ford leads the Lumberjacks in scoring with five goals and a team-high 13 assists for 18 points in 16 games. Lucas DeBenedet leads the team in goals (8).
Goaltender David Krejcik has been solid in net with a 7-6-2 record in 15 appearances. He sports 2.92 goals against average and a .914 save percentage.
GAME TIMES
The Lions face the Saints at 7:15 p.m. Friday at the Houghton County Arena and the Lumberjacks at 7:15 p.m. Saturday.