2009-2010 Season Preview
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The MSOE Raiders finished the 2008-09 season with a 15-12-2 record and were second only to returning champion Adrian College. The 2009-10 Raiders hockey team features the same toughness and tenacity from last year's team, which carried them into into the Harris Cup final.
The 2009-10 edition of Raiders hockey will have the same toughness and tenacity that saw them through last year's playoffs. Leadership will come through captains Stephen Smiddy (Grand Rapids, Mich. / East Grand Rapids) and Michael Johnson (Eagle River, Alaska / Chugiak). All conference selection Smiddy returns at the forward position while Johnson, one of the key Raider defensemen, returns for his second season in a Raider uniform after transferring from Division I Air Force Academy.
Scoring threats will come from Michael Soik (Stevens Point, Wis. / SPASH) and Brock King (Medicine Hat, Alberta / Medicine Hat High). The 5-10 junior forward Soik comes off a sophomore season filled with injuries that limited him to playing in only 17 games, scoring seven goals and nine assists; he recovered in time to be named to the MCHA All-Tournament team. King stepped in nicely in his rookie season, adding eleven goals (the most on the team) and eight assists and earning him MCHA all-freshman honors. "Brock (King) is always coming through with a timely goal," said head coach Mark Ostapina. The defense will be anchored by Johnson and Michael Siergiej (Eagle River, Wis. / Northland Pines). Last season Siergiej played in 28 games, scoring two goals and five assists.Connor Toomey (Burlington, Mass. / St. Sebastian's) returns in goal for the Raiders. In his first season his 2.71 goals against average was 3rd in the conference and 42nd in the nation. He was also 3rd in the conference in save percentage with .905, and was the MCHA's all-freshman goaltender selection.
From the 2008-09 lineup, the Raiders graduated five players including four-time all-MCHA defenseman Jason Woll. Woll recently had a tryout with the Milwaukee Admirals and will play again this season with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL.
Outside of the conference, the Raiders face St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. on Dec. 11-12, and will compete in the Oswego Tournament on Jan. 2-3 in Oswego, New York. This year, a conference championship for the Raiders will mean a trip to the NCAA tournament as the MCHA receives an automatic bid for the 2010 season. To reach that goal, the Raiders must bust through a strong Adrian team, as well as formidable foes Finlandia, Lawrence, Marian and new MCHA opponent, Lake Forest. The Raiders will open the regular season in the Kern Center, October 30, against Concordia-Wisconsin.
Video highlights from MSOE vs. Lake Forest on Feb. 12, 2010:
2008-09 Season in Review
Raiders walking wounded fall in Conference Finals
Despite injuries and sickness, the Raiders were able to will their way into the conference finals, before bowing to nationally rank Adrian in the title game. To get there, the Raiders first overcame a first round struggle by defeating Minnesota-Crookston in tightly contested battle. In the semifinals, the Raiders played with only 11 healthy position players (non-goalies) to defeat Lawrence 3-2 and advance to the Harris Cup final.
MSOE had two players named to the seven members all tournament squad. Sophomore Forward Michael Soik and senior defenseman Jason Woll joined five Adrian players on the All-tournament team. The Raiders finished their season with a 15-12-2 overall record. Their 12-7-1 MCHA South Division record was good enough for a second place finish in the division, third overall among conference teams.
Other individuals recognized by the conference were ffrward Stephen Smiddy and defenseman Jason Woll, who were named to the 12-person ALL MCHA team. This was Woll's fourth time receiving the honor, while it is Smiddy's first selection. Selected to the league's all rookie team were forward Brock King, defenseman Ryno Linder and goaltender Connor Toomey were selected for outstanding play during their freshman season. The Raiders graduate five from the 2008-09 squad.
