Tom Ciaverilla is more than ready to return to the ice tonight. With last weekend's loss to Kent State still fresh in his mind, Ciaverilla is hoping that this weekend's series against Mercyhurst will erase the lasting bitter taste from the loss.
I can't wait for this weekend to get back on track
Ciaverilla said. We have some big games coming up and I can't wait to get past the loss.
The loss to the Golden Flashes was the Bobcats' (22-7, 16-4 Central States Collegiate Hockey League) first home loss since Jan. 13, 2006, which was also at the hands of Kent State.
Coach Dan Morris said the loss will help the Bobcats refocus, but added that the overall timing of the loss is not the best.
We have had to be a little looser and not so much on edge this week Morris said. It has been tough because we can't gear up since we have three tough weeks in a row.
This late in the season, Morris said that he typically will schedule a non-conference opponent to give his team a break from CSCHL rivals.
Last season the Bobcats defeated the Lakers 3-2 in the first round of the American Collegiate Hockey Association tournament.
They don't take a whole lot of chances
and they do not make many mistakes
Morris said. We have our work cut out for us against a team that plays basically the same style of hockey as us.
Following this weekend's series against Mercyhurst, the Bobcats will play their two biggest rivals, Illinois and Penn State. Although these two teams are the top two in the nation, Morris said his Bobcats will not get caught looking past the Lakers.
I think it's easier since we are coming off a loss because it refocuses the guys
Morris said. If we were riding high
we might look past Mercyhurst
but because we are coming off a tough loss on Saturday
our guys will want to get back on the winning track.
The Bobcats' defense could receive a boost this weekend with the possible return of defenseman Travis Preble. Preble, in his last season of eligibility, has missed the entire season with a broken leg.
We haven't put him in any situations where we have put any stress on his leg
said Morris. He has improved by leaps and bounds from last week
and he has almost reached the spot of where he is ready to play.
Ideally we would like to see him play this weekend, but if it is not in the cards, it is not in the cards.",",17,Archives,Steve Gartner,",",",",",","
17549,2007-01-26 06:00:00,Swimming & Diving: Men's team set for final dual meet this weekend,",Tomorrow's meet against Ball State was already going to be a big test for the Bobcats
