IU looking to take title this weekend

The IU ice hockey team will wrap up their season in the Great Midwest Hockey League this weekend with one home game each against Oakland University and Michigan State University. \nIU will have a chance at a come-from-behind GMHL title, but the Hoosiers will need some help. IU (14-7-1, 4-3-1) needs two wins this weekend to pull into a tie with Michigan (14-8-1, 6-3-1) for first place. \nOakland (19-6-3, 6-2-0) will finish its GHML season with games against IU and Miami (Ohio). If Oakland loses to Miami Saturday and the Hoosiers win both weekend games, IU will earn a share of the GMHL title and a bye in the first round of the GMHL tournament next weekend in Rochester, Mich.\nIU will face off against Oakland Friday. The Hoosiers lost the first game against Oakland earlier this season when they traveled to Michigan and skated to a 4-1 loss. The Grizzlies have surprised the GMHL this season and need one win to secure sole possession of the GMHL regular season title.\nThe Hoosiers biggest advantage may be home ice, where they are 6-1-1 this season. \nJunior defenseman David Standa said the team plays with more confidence at home.\n"It's easier to play at home on a rink we are used to with refs we are used to," Standa said. "Hopefully, we get a bunch of fans out there to support us and make it that much better."\nSaturday, the Hoosiers will take on the Spartans. The teams have played twice already. IU got a 4-2 conference victory last weekend in Lansing and suffered a 3-4 non-conference loss early in the season. The loss was the Hoosiers' first at home in 29 games at Frank Southern Arena.\nIU was invited to its ninth straight American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II national championship tournament after final Southeast Region rankings placed IU second to Miami (Ohio). The top four teams in each of four regions are invited to the tournament which will take place in Anaheim Calif. The Hoosiers will play three games against Oakland, Colorado and Central Connecticut State. IU is 17-4-3 all-time in pool play and has recorded three trips to the ACHA D II finals.\nIU will play at 7:30 p.m. against Oakland Friday and Michigan State Saturday at Frank Southern Arena.