The Northern Michigan University women’s club hockey team will travel to Kalamazoo, Mich. to compete in the National Championships Wednesday, March 9 to Sunday, March 13.
“Our mindset is to try and get focused,” head coach Sean Parker said. “Last year we went to Nationals and didn’t do as well as we could have so this year we are definitely more focused and know what to expect.”
The Wildcats are ranked third in the west division for the tournament. In their division is Rainy River Community College, North Dakota State and University of Minnesota-Duluth while Buffalo University, California University of Pennsylvania (Cal-U), University of Delaware, and West Chester University are in the east division.
The Wildcats will play Cal-U on Wednesday, March 9, Rainy River on Thursday, March 10, and West Chester on Friday, March 11.
Out of their three opponents for the tournament, the Wildcats have only played Rainy River this season.
“It’s going to be a redemption game for us because we played them three times during the regular season and lost all three,” sophomore Kelsey Weyland said.
For Cal-U and West Chester, the team is preparing by going off of records against teams they might have played this season.
“We know what to expect from Rainy River,” Parker said. “We’re trying to get our game to be what we need it to be to beat them since they’re the top team in our bracket. If we do well against them and don’t change anything, then we should be able to handle the other two teams.”
Last year at Nationals, the ‘Cats played West Chester and lost 5-4. Weyland said that playing them again will be another redemption game for the team.
The team practiced for about six and a half to eight hours last week during spring break. According to Parker, the team simplified things and made things crisp during those practices.
“Working on fundamentals has been a big deal,” Parker said. “If you don’t do the small things right, then it’s hard to do the more advanced plays.”
The semi-final games will take place on Saturday, March 12 with the top two teams from both divisions. The championship game will take place on Sunday, March 13.
In the CCWHA Division II tournament that was held in Burton, Mich. on Feb. 19 through Feb. 21, three Wildcats earned all-tournament honors. Freshman Allison Carlson and senior Carlie Kangas made the first team all-tournament. Senior Macy Schultz made the second team all-tournament defense team.
The Wildcats went undefeated in CCWHA conference play and in the playoffs.
“It was great,” Weyland said. “It was a huge accomplishment. During the season a lot of teams still didn’t have respect for us, but I think some of the scores and the way we played that weekend showed everyone that we aren’t a fluke and we have a lot of talent.”
The Wildcats went 0-3 at Nationals last season.
“Our whole focus this season is to get to Nationals and to win Nationals, so that mindset throughout the whole season has been a huge help knowing what our ultimate goal is,” Weyland said. “We can win and we work really well as a unit, on and off the ice. I’m really excited and looking forward to the upcoming week.”
Parker is confident about how the team will compete at Nationals.
“I think we’re going to do pretty well,” Parker said. “If the team comes ready to play and we do what we have to do and everyone plays the way they can, I think we will do well.”
