2008 Woodie Awards
Hockey team: National title or bust
Matt Chandik
Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: Sports
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The West Chester University hockey team wrapped up its pre-season play with an exhibition game against Rowan University. The team appears in top form and ready to take on all comers as they attempt to defend its first ever ECHA regular-season championship.
The team is no longer satisfied with this crown, instead looking to make even more history as they aim to rise through the ranks and take their place among the ACHA's elite on route to a possible national championship.
The general consensus among the team is that they have the makings of a very successful and possibly record-breaking team. The Rams finished as one of the hottest teams in the country last season and broke numerous team and individual records, none more important than their records for Highest Finish in School History (seven) and games won (25).
On average, the team said they expected to finish their 33-game regular season with roughly 29-30 wins before entering conference playoffs and the National Tournament. The Rams are the overwhelming favorite to run the table through an ECHA conference. The league is depleted by the loss of last year's #2 team in the conference and #5 in the nation Rhode Island, as well as the ECHA's #3 team and #13 overall, West Virginia. Drexel and Navy, two other teams that qualified for the league's playoffs, are also departed, leaving West Chester as the clear-cut best team in the conference. Nearly every single player feels that anything less than an undefeated 10-0 record in conference play would be unacceptable.
Due to the weakened state of the conference, the Rams will face their toughest tests out of conference. They open their slate this weekend with a home and home series against Delaware, with the Saturday night Homecoming game at 7:30 p.m. A trip to the unfriendly confines of Brad Boss Arena at Rhode Island also awaits the Rams after they return from the ACHA Showcase, held in Rochester, NY. Liberty University, a team which finished one slot ahead of WCU last year and headlines the Rams' home schedule with two games to start the second semester. A two game set at familiar foe West Virginia will also keep the Rams sharp.
The team is no longer satisfied with this crown, instead looking to make even more history as they aim to rise through the ranks and take their place among the ACHA's elite on route to a possible national championship.
The general consensus among the team is that they have the makings of a very successful and possibly record-breaking team. The Rams finished as one of the hottest teams in the country last season and broke numerous team and individual records, none more important than their records for Highest Finish in School History (seven) and games won (25).
On average, the team said they expected to finish their 33-game regular season with roughly 29-30 wins before entering conference playoffs and the National Tournament. The Rams are the overwhelming favorite to run the table through an ECHA conference. The league is depleted by the loss of last year's #2 team in the conference and #5 in the nation Rhode Island, as well as the ECHA's #3 team and #13 overall, West Virginia. Drexel and Navy, two other teams that qualified for the league's playoffs, are also departed, leaving West Chester as the clear-cut best team in the conference. Nearly every single player feels that anything less than an undefeated 10-0 record in conference play would be unacceptable.
Due to the weakened state of the conference, the Rams will face their toughest tests out of conference. They open their slate this weekend with a home and home series against Delaware, with the Saturday night Homecoming game at 7:30 p.m. A trip to the unfriendly confines of Brad Boss Arena at Rhode Island also awaits the Rams after they return from the ACHA Showcase, held in Rochester, NY. Liberty University, a team which finished one slot ahead of WCU last year and headlines the Rams' home schedule with two games to start the second semester. A two game set at familiar foe West Virginia will also keep the Rams sharp.
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