Ann Arbor, Michigan- The Eastern Michigan University Eagles Hockey Club finished the home portion of the 2007-2008 schedule with a 7-4 victory on Senior Night over the Michigan-Dearborn Wolves. With the victory, odds are very good that the Eagles will be for the first time since 2003 returning to the ACHA National Tournament! 

The Eagles struck early in the first period to open the scoring on Ian Chornoby's goal just 1:38 into the game to give the Eagles an early 1-0 lead. Michigan-Deaborn managed to respond though at the 12:06 mark on the Powerplay on Anthony Rini's first of two goals of the game to tie up the score at 1-1. The 1-1 score would remain for the remainder of the first period. The period set the tone for the rest of the game as the game was physical right off the bat, and you could also sense that the game was going to get a bit chippy throughout. 

The Eagles took control of the game early in the second period with a trio of goals starting off just 1:50 into the second period on a goal from Senior P.J. Pinkerton, with an assist to fellow senior Matt Opyd and Ryan Ward to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead. Not to be out done, the third and final senior Steve Kardel got on the scoreboard himself with a goal off of a turnover in the Michigan-Dearborn end to give the Eaglse a 3-1 lead. Jake Saville pushed the advantage to 3 on a great goal in which he flew by the Michigan-Dearborn defense and shot the puck past Dearborn goaltender Matthew Janiga, shorthanded. Before the period ended, Michigan-Dearborn was able to reduce the deficit to 2 on Rini's second goal of the contest on the Powerplay. However, the Eagles in out shooting the Wolves 19-10 in the period, took a 4-2 lead into the locker room. 

The Eagles again opened the third period up as they did the prior two by jumping out to a quick goal, this time scored by Kevin Lapointe just 26 seconds into the third period to restore the Eagles 3 goal advantage. Jake Saville boosted the always dangerous 3 goal lead into a much more comfortable 4 goal lead 5:21 into the period on his second goal of the contest to give the Eagles a 6-2 lead. Dearborn responded Shorthanded just three minutes later with a goal from Mike Ross to push the score to 6-3. The 4 goal lead was restored just 1 minute, 20 seconds later on Kevin Lapointe's second goal of the game and of the period to conclude the scoring for EMU at 7-3. Marino Santi closed the scoring out for the game at the 11:35 mark shorthanded, to conclude the scoring at 7-4.

Tonight's contest was the last home game at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube for three EMU Seniors.  The three seniors were an integral part of the success that the Eagles Hockey Club had this season and helped to restore the Eagles back to their rightful place in the ACHA, a National Tournament caliber team. As is traditional for my final recap of the season, the Swoop Zone would like to take this opportunity to honor the achievements and the success of the three EMU Seniors. They are:

#17: P.J. Pinkerton - [2007-2008 Stats: 5 Goals(4 PP), 11 Assists, 16 Points]
#21: Matt Opyd - [2007-2008 Stats: 9 Goals(5 PP), 19 Assists, 28 Points]
#22: Steve Kardel - [2007-2008 Stats: 5 Goals(1 SH), 2 Assists, 7 Points]

The Swoop Zone would like to provide its best wishes for these three senior players who have been a key part of the EMU Hockey Club over the past several years. The Swoop Zone also hopes that these three players on and off the ice succeed as they have on the ice this season.

On a bit more of a personal note, tonight's home game was also the final home game of EMU Hockey for myself as a student at Eastern Michigan University. I naturally regret the fact that I could not attend more of the second half contests for this season, but considering that I am in the process of student teaching at this point, my priorities were naturally forced to go else where. I do not expect this to be the end of the recaps or of the coverage, but yet another stepping stone. Again, a huge thanks to all of the loyal visitors who have helped to make this web page the success that it has been over the past several years and I look forward to continuing to maintain it as an EMU Alum instead of an EMU Student.

Again, congratulations to the three seniors for making their senior night in the 2007-2008 season a success.

Looking Ahead:
The Eagles now travel to the CSCHL Playoffs hosted by the University of Illinois from February 15th-17th.  The Eagles enter the CSCHL Tournament yet again as the #6 seed and will take on the #3 University of Ohio at 1:00 PM, Friday, February 15th. On that same day, the Eagles will know whether or not they have qualified for the ACHA Nationals Tournament to be held Saturday, March 1st-Wednesday, March at the ESL Sports Centre in Rochester, NY. My personal hunch, is that the Eagles will qualify as the #14 ranked team in the country.

Go Green!
-Kevin