First Period:

EMU: Porter(Connolly) [1-0 EMU] 8:34
EMU: Laub(Opyd, Connolly) [2-0 EMU] 11:54 * Power Play Goal
EMU: Thomson(Kerch) [3-0 EMU] 14:13
EMU: Nummerdor(Hopper) [4-0 EMU] 16:33 * Power Play Goal
WMU: Theodoroff(Moss, Koich) [4-1 EMU] 17:29
WMU: Podelnyk(Simmons) [4-2 EMU] 18:01

Second Period:

No Scoring.

Third Period:

EMU: Porter(Unassisted) [5-2 EMU] 4:33
WMU: Theodoroff(Podelnyk) [5-3 EMU] 16:01
EMU: Porter(Olgren) [6-3 EMU] 17:00 *Empty Net Goal

Ann Arbor, Michigan-  Senior Night is always an emotional night regardless of the circumstances that surround the game. However, throw into the fact that EMU and WMU were playing for the eighth and final spot in the CSCHL Playoffs and potentially a spot in the National Tournament, throw into the fact that EMU and WMU are traditional rivals, throw in the fact that this is the final home game for six EMU Seniors and you create a game that could potentially become volatile. Led by Sophomore Derek Porter's Hat Trick, the Eastern Michigan University Hockey Club defeated the Western Michigan Stallions by the score of 6-3. The victory tonight, gives the Eagles the #7 seed in the CSCHL Playoffs in Athens, Ohio. 

The first period was probably the craziest period of hockey that I witnessed at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube this season. However, that's not to say that crazy isn't always bad. Eastern came out in the period looking like a team that was on a mission, as everything was clicking on all cylinders as is evidenced by the 21-10 shot count. Eastern opened the scoring at the 8:34 mark in the first period on Derek Porter's first goal set up by a brilliant pass from Ryan Connolly to give the Eagles an early 1-0 lead. The Eagles jumped all over the Stallions and the Stallions began to commit penalties. The Eagles were rewarded at the 11:54 mark with a goal from Freshman defenseman John Laub, with assists credited to Matt Opyd and Ryan Connolly to give the Eagles an early 2-0 lead. The Eagles pushed the advantage to three, at the 14:13 mark on a goal from Brian Thomson. The onslaught continued as the Eagles made it 4-0 at the 16:33 mark again on the power play, on a goal from Freshman Josh Nummerdor. The first 16:33 of the period the Eagles dominated and looked just as good as any Eagles team that I have seen in the past. Then complacency set in. Western rallied with two goals in a 30 second span. Western cut the deficit to 4-1 on Teddy Theodoroff's first goal, which was scored in a mad scramble in front of the EMU net. Just seconds later, Michael Podelnyk cut the deficit to two. The crazy period concluded with the Eagles ahead of Western 4-2.

The second period was a period that was dominated by Western Michigan as they tried everything to get back into the game. The hitting started to pick up as well, but all of the best opportunities came from the Stallions in the period. All of the crisp passing, the crisp play seemed to leave during this period as I really felt a sense of let down after the Eagles gained the 4-0 lead in the first period. However, to the credit of the Eagles despite being outplayed, Western couldn't take advantage as the period concluded scoreless thus maintaining the Eagles 4-2 lead.

Then there was the third period. The Eagles were able to score a huge goal at the 4:33 mark in the period on Derek Porter's second goal of the contest to give the Eagles back a 3 goal lead at 5-2. At this point things began to get out of hand as the physical play heated up with nasty hits, nasty collisions and ultimately two injuries for EMU(more on this later). Western Michigan was able to score a goal with 4:59 left in the game to make the score 5-3, and Western started to pull the goaltender at this time to continue to put the pressure on, at one point as well Western Michigan had a 6 on 3 opportunity, but the Eagles were able to survive the onslaught. Derek Porter was able to tally an Empty Net Goal with 3 minutes remaining to clinch the hat trick, to clinch the game and to give the Eagles a 6-3 victory. The Swoop Zone would like to express their prayers and warm wishes for defenseman Brian Hopper and Goaltender Brian Markowicz who both were injured in the onslaught of the vicious third period, which in a sense made the evening a bit bittersweet.

I would be remiss as well if I did not make mention of the wonderful turnout that showed up for Senior Night at EMU. I have to admit that in the several years that I have been going to EMU Hockey games, the fans that have showed up this year have been some of the most vocal and supporting of the EMU Eagles hockey program that I have heard in years. Traditionally, the Ann Arbor Ice Cube has been a quieter arena, but I do think that the crowd really has helped to make a difference and especially made a difference this year. [The Swoop Zone would just like to note that EMU Hockey did not pay myself for throwing this paragraph in on Fan Appreciation Night at EMU.]

Tonight's game marked the final home game for seven Eastern Michigan University Hockey Seniors. The Swoop Zone as has become tradition in my final recap of each season would like to honor the accomplishments and the successes for these individuals who were integral to the success of keeping the Eastern Michigan Eagles hockey program afloat and successful. They include:

#3 Steve Jacobs: One of the rare five year players at Eastern Michigan University. Another solid defenseman who really seemed to flourish over the past couple of years. [Career Stats: 80 Games Played, 3 Goals, 10 Assists, 13 points, 113 PIM]

#4 Tom Burke: One of the many defenseman that seemed to benefit from the new coaching staff. We wish Tom well in his pursuits of a career in aviation and taking his skills from the ice into the skies. [Career Stats: 42 Games Played; 2 goals, 5 assists, 7 pts; 29 PIM]

#35 Brian Markowicz: A transfer goaltender from Western Michigan who represented himself well in the line of excellent goaltenders who have gone through the EMU Hockey Program. There were numerous games in which he was a primary reason for why the Eagles won in the games that I witnessed. [Career Stats at EMU: 6-8-0]

In addition, the Swoop Zone would like to make special note of the following four seniors of this years team. These four represent the remaining members of a class of fifteen who remained a part of the Eastern Michigan University hockey program despite a certain incident that occurred four years ago which cut their freshman season's short at EMU. I vividly remember the Monday Evening that I drove to campus when I heard the news of this incident during my very first semester being a student at EMU and I also remember the sadness that I felt that day in terms of the program, and quite frankly in the potential that the EMU hockey program would not exist. Quite simply, these four individuals showed a character and a dedication for not only their university at Eastern Michigan, but for the EMU Hockey program. In my viewpoint, without these four individuals as well the hockey program would not have made this recovery process any easier than it has already been. These four individuals include:

#7: Craig Drdek: A key cog in this senior class who seemed to do all of the little things to help make the Eagles a better team overall on the ice. [Career Stats at EMU: 84 Games Played, 10 goals, 14 assists, 24 points, 64 PIM]

#18: Bobby Mayes: The tallest player of the 2006-2007 EMU Eagles, made his presence felt nightly on the Ice and was another key element in the Eagles success on the ice. [Career Stats at EMU: 110 Games Played, 6 Goals, 20 assists, 26 pts 109 PIM]

#20: Dan Olgren: One of the better goal scorers that the Eagles have had over the past four years, who seemed to have a knack for scoring when the Eagles needed a goal at a vital moment. The Eagles offense will miss the 19 goals supplied this year next year. [Career Stats at EMU: 123 Games Played, 55 Goals, 53 Assists, 108 points, 96 PIM]

#33 Kelly Koester: In addition to being the Eagles top goal scorer this season and last, the thing that always stuck out to me about Koester when I was watching him on the ice, was the fact that I always knew something good was going to happen when he was near the puck. There are several instances on the Penalty Kill in particular that I remember where the extra effort went a long way in the success of the Eagles. However, what is probably the most stunning number is that in four years of playing for the Eagles he only had 28 total Penalty Minutes. [Career Stats at EMU: 120 Games Played, 71 Goals, 76 Assists, 147 points, 28 PIM]

The Swoop Zone cannot emphasize again how vital these seven players were to help keep the Eastern Michigan Hockey program alive and well. Thanks to this group, there is a lot of hope and optimism for future seasons to come. I would like to wish all seven of you luck in your own future endeavors on and off the ice.

Looking Ahead:
Do you believe in Deja Vu? The Eagles for the second straight year have qualified as the #7 seed going into the CSCHL Playoffs. The Eagles also for the second straight year will be facing the Fighting Illini of Illinois. However, instead of playing in Kalamazoo, the game has shifted to southern Ohio, to the haunted city of Athens, Ohio at the Bird Ice Arena on the Campus of the University of Ohio. The Eagles will also know their ACHA Nationals fate this upcoming Friday, February 16th as the ninth and deciding ranking will be released. Stay tuned for any details! 

Thanks again to all of the loyal readers of the website, and thanks again to the Eastern Michigan Hockey program for another great season of hockey. I look forward to covering the Eagles again through this website next season (during my fifth and final year at EMU, I might add.)

For the final time in the regular season of the 2006-2007 season of Eastern Michigan Hockey. GO EMU!
-Kevin