Despite the home ice advantage, UW-P hockey suffered back-to-back losses against Robert Morris Chicago Jan. 29 and 30.

Photograph by Jessica Vretenar


Goalie Jason Cebulski, junior, saved 50 shots on goal during the 6-5 loss on Jan. 29.

The Eagles had a tough battle against the Pioneers, only scraping ahead through a shootout, 6-5 during the first matchup and 4-2 during game two. The Pioneers pushed through despite losing key players like senior Jake Liedke to injury.

The Eagles took over with three quick goals in the beginning of the first matchup. Defensively, the Pioneers pulled it together to tie up the game and keep it tied 5-5 at the final whistle.

During the shootout the Eagles soared ahead with the first puck in the goal. Pioneer goalie Jason Cebulski stopped 50 shots on goal to carry the team into the shootout.

“We have a good core of veteran players, and a lot of rookies that will be the future of this team,” Aaron Frach, senior, said.

“We have a couple new guys that have good on-ice awareness. The team also has three outstanding goaltenders that bail the team out when we find ourselves in defensive troubles.”

Saturday saw the Eagles outshooting UW-P again despite the Pioneers’ two goals.

The veteran players have helped rookies learn UW-P style of play through the season, and secured a third-seed in the upcoming Midwest Collegiate Hockey League Tournament, Frach said.

The tournament is set in a round-robin style and will take place Friday, Feb. 26 through Sunday, Feb. 28. The Pioneers will face off against their two toughest rivals, Illinois State University and Robert Morris Chicago.

According to the MCHL website, Robert Morris is at the top with a 7-1-1 record, followed by Illinois State at 6-2 and UW-P at 4-4-2. Overall the Pioneers have maintained a 6-13-1 record.

“We need to play a full 60 minute game if we think we are going to beat a team like Robert Morris Chicago in the playoffs,” Frach said. “They are quick and love to play physical, if we show up and think two periods of average play will be enough then we will be on a fast trip home from the tournament.”

The Pioneers will focus on pushing the team through conditioning in order to keep up with the quickness they saw from the Eagles in the two losses, Frach said.

“We have had a lot of very close battles with our conference opponents,” Frach said. “If we can get some good bounces, show up to play a full game of solid defensive hockey and force our opponents to commit turnovers, then there is no reason why we shouldn’t win the tournament.”