Hoosiers fall short in 2 tough-fought matches

Hockey enthusiasts searching for an emotional match would have been pleased with the multiple hard hits, penalties and even the fight that occurred this weekend when IU welcomed Davenport University.\nThe Hoosiers played well, often out-shooting the Panthers, but not well enough as they dropped both games of the weekend series -- 6-4 Friday and 4-3 Saturday.\nIn game one, the Hoosiers came out attacking the net and putting a lot of pressure on their opponent. Davenport took an early 1-0 lead when it was able to trounce on the puck after bouncing off the pads of IU junior goaltender Jimmy Hugill. After the Panthers increased their lead to 2-0 in the second period, IU freshman forward David Murray cut the lead in half by scoring his seventh goal of the season. \nWith about 10 minutes remaining in the second period, emotions got the best of the two squads. IU junior forward Mike Casper was thrown out of the game for fighting, ending his weekend.\n"Every time we play Davenport the games are extremely competitive," Casper said. "It was getting pretty chippy and there was a lot of stick work, which was getting on everyone's nerves. Sometimes it gets a little out of hand."\nDavenport buried two more goals in the period, but Murray netted his second goal of the game with only 19 seconds remaining in the second period. After the Panthers increased their lead to 5-2, IU sophomore forward Dan Karlander and junior forward Reed Schafer got the Hoosiers within one. Davenport solidified the victory with its sixth goal, ending the Hoosiers' comeback. \n"Down the stretch we had a couple of penalties at the wrong time, which ended up being the difference," IU coach Rich Holdeman said. "I think we're close, but we haven't quite reached our potential."\nIn the second game of the series, the intensity from Friday carried over as both teams continued to play very physical. Davenport took a 2-0 lead before IU freshman forward Adam Fishbein scored his third goal of the season and Karlander tied it up with 47 seconds remaining in the first period. The Hoosiers found themselves down 4-2 in the third period, when junior defenseman Matt Wellington slapped a shot from the blue line to pull IU within one. After numerous chances, IU wasn't able to get any closer as Panther senior goalie Will Snyder made several stops and recorded 38 saves on the day for his eighth victory of the season. \nAlthough IU out-shot the Panthers 41-31 Saturday and have out-shot its opponents in many games, it hasn't been able to find the net as often. Last season, IU averaged 5.8 goals a game; this season it has been averaging 3.9 goals per contest. Holdeman said he believes his team needs to improve in that area.\n"The team played with a lot of guts," he said. "We need to be averaging like five to six goals a game. The margin of error for us in not big so we have to take advantage of the opportunities given to us."\nThe loss drops IU to 7-9 on the season and 2-4 in league play. IU senior forward Pete Johnson said he feels his team can't let the defeats get to it too much.\n"We felt we played well this weekend but things didn't work out for us in the end," he said. "We can't let the frustration get to us. We need to learn from our mistakes and move on."\nThe Hoosiers are preparing for a big match-up Friday when conference foe Miami University (Ohio) comes into town. Murray said he believes this weekend's games might be the biggest of the season so far.\n"We have two more games left this semester and we have to come out strong," he said. "We have to get our record even because it's pretty disappointing being under .500 right now. We're better than that."\nIU football coach Terry Hoeppner, the former football coach of Miami of Ohio, will be in attendance for Friday's game and will drop the ceremonial puck. The team will also be presenting him with a signed jersey. Game time is at 9 p.m.