MCRHL To Kick-off 2004 in Homer Glen

The MCRHL will host its first regular season event in 2004 January 17 and 18 at the Megaplex in Homer Glen, IL. Most games will be exhibition games, but a few should have a sizable impact on the league standings. #17 Ohio State (6-2-0, 6-2-0) will have the biggest games, with two against Illinois (6-7-0, 4-7-0), and one game each against Purdue (2-10-0, 1-10-0) and Ball State (6-4-2, 4-4-2). The Buckeyes have a chance to jump ahead of Michigan in the standings, who will be playing in Las Vegas at NARCh Winternationals. The Fighting Illini also are at a big point in the season. After playing 11 regular season games, Illinois stands in seventh place. With four wins, the opportunity is there for the Illini to jump to as high as fifth place. U of I has been up and down all season, with wins against both Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan, but losses to teams close to them in the standings, like Ball State and Miami of Ohio. If the Illini can pull it together this weekend, they could firm up a spot in the first ever MCRHL Championship Tournament in March. Purdue and Ball State both play 3 league games this weekend, and will also be looking to gain ground in the standings. Rose-Hulman will be playing their first contests of the season, a good sign for the program and for the future of the MCRHL. After being an Active MCRHL Member for many years, the Engineers have claimed affiliate status this season, and have been working hard to redevelop the club from Terra Haute. They will face-off against Purdue, Michigan Tech, Northern Illinois, and Ball State B over the weekend. The B Division, on the other hand, will have a very big weekend in Illinois. Ball State B will play Illinois B, Illinois State B, and Ohio State B in games that will be crucial for all teams involved to make the MCRHL B Tournament. Currently, the Buckeyes hold on to the sixth and final spot with four points and two games remaining, while the Cardinals have two points with five games remaining, and the Redbirds have two points with two games remaining. Any of these three teams could solidify that final spot this weekend. Ohio State will play #1 Eastern Michigan B to open up the weekend, and an upset there could blow the championship wide open. We also want to wish a final good luck to the four teams (Michigan State, Michigan, Eastern Michigan, and Illinois State) travelling to Las Vegas this weekend for Winternationals. It should be an exciting competition amongst some of the best teams in the country. For updates on scores and statistics, keep checking MCRHL.com and NCRHA.org.