Posted: January 29, 2010 5:45PM; Updated: March 16, 2010 12:14PM

National Implications Loom In Inter-Regional Contests

With thoughts of Nationals in sunny California looming in many players heads, the Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania Inter-Regional Event will affect just that. With each of these games impacting the overall standings within regional divisions and eventual national selections, more than just bragging rights will be on the line. With that said here is insight into three of this weekend's pivotal inter-regional contests.

Game 1: January 30th, 9:00am
Division 1

University of Michigan (2-10-3) v.s. Rutgers University (8-6-0)

With both teams mired in 5th place in their respective regions both the Scarlet Knights and the Wolverines are looking to advance into 4th by the end of the weekend. Look for both teams to put the oppositions defenses to test in the first game of this important weekend.  The good thing for both of these clubs is that neither team has ever met in competition since the NCRHA's inception. Rutgers on paper shapes up to be the better team record wise; however with so much on the line don't expect the Wolverines to play dead.

Match-Ups:

U of M:

#26 Dan Derus 

#7 Joe Zalewski

#39 Taylor Andrews

 

#9 Jared Riesman

#10 Matt Schwakoff

#35 Chris Cisek 

 

Will goaltender Taylor Andrews be able to give his team the solid goaltending needed to give his team a chance against a strong Scarlet Knight offense? Andrews and the Michigan defense have surrendered 102 goals in 15 games which is second worst in the nation behind CSU Northridge's 162 goals against in 16 games.

 

 

The Nittany Lions Look to continue their absolute dominance in the B division boasting the record in the entire NCRHA; The Grand Valley State Lakers Led by James Trahan and a balanced scoring attack the Lakers look to hand the Nittany Lions their first loss of the season. 

 

Match-Ups:

PSU:

#27 Brian Reel

#61 Josh Rifkin

#31 Mitchell Reinhold 

#12 James Trahan

#22 Matt Figlewicz

#1 Greg Kortman

With the Lakers only producing 51 goals for in 10 games played they will have to dig deep in order to find some uncharacteristic goal scoring in order to keep pace with the Nittany Lions who have mustered up an overwhelming 122 goals in 15 games. The Lakers will have to decide early whether  to put points up or turn the game into a defensive showdown. 

Towson University (10-3-1) v.s. Ohio State University (8-5-1)

In the only game featuring two teams who have played one another before, the Buckeyes of Ohio State will be looking to avenge a 4-2 loss handed to them by the Tigers. With two evenly matched sides coming into this competition both Towson and Ohio State will be aiming to move out of third place in their respective regions.

 

Match-Ups

#33 Ryan Cowdell

#89 Mike Inge

#22 Trevor Nau

#6 David Hollingshead

#67 Cody Berkebile

#35 Kelle MaCall

 

Key To The Game

Ryan Cowdell's hat trick at the Hot Shots Inter-Regional Event was enough to best Derek Linsday's 2 goal outing, like many match-ups in the NCRHA look for an outstanding individual effort to break this game wide open.