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AURORA, Ill. -- After playing three games in five days, the Finlandia Lions men's hockey team is looking to build off a strong performance at Northland College, where they settled for a tie officially, but earned a shootout victory.
With 10 days off, coach Joe Burcar and his staff have been focused on helping the team do just that.
"It was a learning curve," said Burcar. "I think the team learned a lot from the first two games, playing Bethel. I think we went on the road, we played a gritty, hard-fought game, and we pulled it out.
"Credit to the team again for the learning curve. It was a quick turnaround for what happened on Friday, Saturday, to a Tuesday game."
Burcur was pleased with the effort against the Lumberjacks.
"I think they responded extremely well, and understand what we're all about," he said. "The learning curve of learning how to win, knowing how to win. There was a lot of stuff that just, and we've been talking so much, that it's sinking in. We talk about it all the time, hockey players are smart people. They're adjusting, and it's been good."
It might seem incredulous to refer to the third game of the season as a turning point for the Lions, but the fact is, NCAA Division III teams only play 25 games during the season, a far cry from the 38 or so, including playoffs, that Division I teams play.
"I think it was a pivotal point of our season, I do," said Burcar. "Yeah, it's early in the year, but again, the credit goes to the players. They had a players-only meeting on Sunday. I think they really had an open, honest discussion. Sometimes those discussions can be tough for a lot of people. I think nobody ran out of the room, from what I understand. They accepted everything.
"They want to do what's right, and make this team a quality team. I think that meeting paid dividends going into Tuesday."
Burcar credits captain Phil Schader for his efforts to lead the team in the locker room and on the ice.
"It will start with Phil Schrader," Burcar said. "He's our captain. He's one of our two seniors. He's been here through his first year, we made the playoffs, and then after that, it's been COVID, and some significant injuries through his career. He's finally healthy, so he's experienced a lot.
"With a 'C' on his jersey, he's really taken that step to share with the group, and that includes our other captains. Our leadership group is really, really good this year. The young guys are listening."
One of the players who is not wearing a letter, but continues to be an integral part of the next step the Lions take is junior forward P.J. Donnelly. Burcar likes Donnelly's willingness to do whatever the team needs of him in order to be successful. Like Schader, Donnelly needed offseason surgery to correct issues he has been playing with for multiple seasons.
"It's just nice seeing him healthy again," said Burcar. "It's been so long for him. I think it's just, we appreciate the time of being healthy. I mean, he doesn't have an 'A' on his jersey, or a 'C,' but his experience, a junior status, plays a pivotal part in that locker room. It's showing early in the year for him."
Scouting the Spartans
The Lions travel this Friday and Saturday to face the No.12 Aurora Spartans. The Spartans are 4-1 to start the season overall and 2-0 in NCHA play with sweeps of Arcadia and Trine, but their loss was a 7-0 drubbing by Lake Forest on the Tuesday following the Arcadia series.
The Spartans had a large senior class move on after last season, and they are looking for new faces to step into those roles.
"They had a large senior class last year, nine guys, a few of those were fifth year, very good class, very, very good," Burcar said. "Some all-conference guys in there. So, we know they're good. They're offensive minded, but again, I see that as a great matchup for us, and we're looking forward to it."
Jack Jaunich is tied for the team lead with two goals and seven points. Simon Boyko has also gotten off to a fast start with one goal and seven points.
In goal, the Spartans have leaned on all three of their goaltenders, Kolby Thornton, Tanner Marshall, and Matteo Paler-Chow, while they look for someone to take the reins.