Hoosiers advance to tournament

After winning both of its regional tournament games this weekend in Aston, Pa., the Hoosier hockey squad will be competing in its 12th straight American Collegiate Hockey Association Championship Tournament -- the longest active streak in ACHA Division II hockey. \nIn two must-win situations to qualify for the national tournament, IU knocked off the University of Pittsburgh 6-1 on Friday and picked up a 6-1 victory over North Carolina State on Saturday. \nIn game one, the Hoosiers showed little ill effects after traveling more than 11 hours on a bus. From start to finish, the Hoosiers controlled the Panthers throughout the game and did not let up. Outshooting Pittsburgh 47-19, IU was able to take the lead early and maintain it throughout the game. IU sophomore forward Dan Karlander started the scoring for the Hoosiers, picking up the first of two goals in the game with just more than seven minutes remaining in the first period. IU increased its lead to 3-0 after the second period with goals from sophomore forward Sam Adler and junior forward Matt Henderson, who notched his fourth score of the year.\nIn the final period of play, IU added two more goals before the Panthers got on the board with six minutes remaining. That was as close as they would get as senior Reed Schafer scored the sixth and final goal for the Hoosiers, completing the romp. Senior forward Pete Johnson added three assists for the Hoosiers.\nAlthough the season was on the line, the team had to stay focused and play the way it had been all season, senior forward Michael Kearns said.\n"I think that any game that has that much riding on it, a team has to take a little different approach to it," he said. "We have had a lot of success lately, and we came in thinking we just need to play our game, and we will continue to be successful."\nIn game two against North Carolina State, the Hoosiers started by giving up a goal just two and a half minutes into the game and trailing 1-0 after the first period of action. The Wolf Pack's lead didn't last long as the Hoosiers scored three goals in the second period and three more in the third. Firing a total of 42 shots, IU was able to outshoot its opponent 42-24. Karlander continued his strong play with two goals in the game and freshman forward Daniel Keeney tallied two as well. Junior goalie Jimmy Hugill made 23 saves and picked up his ninth win of the season.\nGoing into regionals, the Hoosiers had one goal in mind: winning both games they had scheduled, junior forward Chad Fiala said.\n"We knew exactly what had to be done, and we set our minds on it," he said. "We knew that the slightest mistake could cost us the chance to play for a national title."\nGiving up just two goals this weekend, the Hoosiers' defensive attack has contributed to much of their success since the start of the semester. The Hoosiers have gone 8-1-3 in their last 12 games and have given up three goals a game, while scoring six a contest. Kearns said he feels the team's depth gives it a more spirited edge.\n"We have a lot of guys who are playing well and a lot of guys who are competing for playing spots every weekend," he said. "This has created more competition and better quality practices."\nIU coach Rich Holdeman, who enters his final stretch of games as the Hoosiers' head coach, sees improvement in many areas of his team, including goaltending and special teams at a time most vital, he said.\n"It was a great weekend for our team," he said. "We are playing better team defense than we were earlier in the year, and we are getting consistent offensive production. We did what we had to do -- especially given the fact that we were playing so far from home with a trip to nationals on the line. Except for the first period against N.C. State, we were very focused and intense all weekend."\nThe Hoosiers now shift their focus to winning their conference tournament before nationals start up in early March. The Great Midwestern Hockey League Tournament, held in Grand Rapids, Mich., this weekend, pits conference foes against each other in a single elimination format. The Hoosiers, the No. 3 seed, will match up against the No. 6-seeded Miami University of Ohio -- a team the Hoosiers have beaten twice this season. Although these games don't factor into the national tournament, they will serve as a great experience in preparation for it, senior captain Bill Ravensberg said.\n"I think the experience we can gain from a tournament-type setting will only help us out in the future," he said. "We have some tough games coming up, but I am confident with our team and like the way we are playing right now"