IU gears up for championship run

Saturday night the IU ice hockey club held its annual Red versus White intersquad scrimmage at Frank Southern Ice Arena. The event historically has been used as final preparation for the upcoming season, and this year's locker room sentiment is that of a hungry Hoosier team organizing itself for a run at a national title.\nThe team captain, sophomore Bill Ravensberg, said he believes team chemistry is the most important learning tool this type of game environment can provide. \n"When you get in a game situation with the guys, you get to know each other a lot better than if you were just in practice," Ravensberg said. \nThe first period began with an aura of excitement and friendly competition in the air, as both sides came out of the gates firing, although the intensity seemed to spill over into penalties and missed chances. Sophomore Matt Henderson opened the scoring before line partner and junior Jon Laughner added a second goal to put the Red team in front 2-0. \nThe second period brought a calmer, more calculating game, which saw goals from junior Pete Johnson, sophomore Mike Casper and a second from Laughner. With Red in the driver's seat at 4-1 going into the third period, the White squad fought back. \n"We're the home team today, and there are a lot of guys on the other bench that I really don't like very much," said sophomore John Hale from the penalty box. "So we're gonna hit 'em hard." \nTeam White proceeded to complete the comeback, scoring four goals in the first 10 minutes of the final frame, taking a 5-4 lead into the home stretch. With just under five minutes remaining in the third period, sophomore Reed Schafer suggested he would be an integral part of the Hoosiers' potent offense by scoring the game-tying goal on a perfectly executed breakaway. \nAs the final buzzer sounded, the arena bubbled with anticipation of overtime between the two equally energized sides. \nIn an unconventional yet popular strategic maneuver, the afternoon's fill-in coach, team athletic trainer Blair Alexander, convened with league officials and referees to determine that the game would be decided by penalty shootout. Players huddled in front of their respective benches, fans clamored for a seat close to the action, and in the end, it was the White squad that prevailed, 8-5. \nAfter such a hard-fought battle, both halves of the team were satisfied with the outcome, all sharing smiles and congratulations on their way to the locker room. \nThe Hoosiers now look to Friday night when the Minnesota Golden Gophers come to town for a season-opening Big Ten showdown. In honor of the team's long standing history of success, Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan will be making an appearance to drop the opening puck of the 2004-05 season. Game time is set for 9 p.m., and tickets will be available the night of the game at Frank Southern Ice Arena, located behind Bloomington South High School. \n-- Contact staff writer David Resnik at dfaraday@indiana.edu.