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November 9, 2012

MCRHL Weekend #2 Preview

Weekend Event #2 Preview: JCC

By Kyle Jones

The MCRHL enters November and the second weekend event being held at JCC’s IHC in West Bloomfield, MI.  This weekend will be the second set of games for DI teams Ohio State, Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan.  For the DII teams (Northern Illinois, Depaul, Cincinnati, Miami (OH), Western Michigan, Michigan Tech) and MSU DI, it will be their first games of the 2012/13 season.  Here are some of the story lines to keep an eye for this weekend.
 
First Look at the Spartans
The Michigan State Spartans are the last team in all of Division I to play their first regular season game.  Last year, MSU made it to the Final Four at Nationals and only had two graduating Seniors.  The Spartans come into this year with proven strength on all fronts.  Four year starter Aaron Rivkin drives the offense.  Ryan Kish is not only a great defender, he lead the team in goals last year as a sophomore.  Lastly, Jason Stross was a First Team All-American last year and is arguably the best goaltender in the nation.  Michigan State is looking to for another Nationals run and it starts this weekend.

Who is number one in Division II?

Last year there were three tiers to Division II:

            First Tier: Central Michigan

            Second Tier: Western Michigan and Miami

            Third Tier: Every one else

This year is a different story.  Central has moved up to Division I which leaves this Division II wide open.  Western Michigan could be the team to beat with Mike Vandeberg (scored most points excluding Central Michigan) returning for another year.  But don’t look past Miami (OH) who is returning the majority of their starters.  These two teams will face off at 5:00 pm on Saturday and look to make early statement.

Welcome Binghamton

The MCRHL would like to welcome and thank the Binghamton Bearcats of the ECRHA for coming to West Bloomfield to play in three exhibition games.  This isn’t the first time the Bearcats have traveled to MCRHL country.  Last year, Binghamton swept MCRHL teams in the three games in Columbus, OH.  This year, the Bearcats will be taking on some of the best DII teams the MCRHL has to offer: Northern Illinois, Cincinnati and Miami (OH).  Binghamton is 4-4-2 (overall) entering this weekend and look to make a statement for the ECRHA against the MCRHL.