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Last season, the Oakland University Division I Men’s Hockey team finished second place in the country, losing to then-#3 Delaware in the ACHA National Tournament.
Their success ended there, but it began before the tournament — when the Golden Grizzlies won the Great Lakes Collegiate Hockey League regular season crown. While they fell in the GLCHL Playoffs, they won the “Good Luck Duck” series against Davenport for the first time in four years.
Meeting first-place Penn State in the semi-finals of the ACHA National Tournament, the Nittany Lions were favorites to win the championship. Their last season as an ACHA team before heading to the NCAA this year was ruined by Oakland.
Heading into this season with only five seniors and nine freshmen, Oakland looked to make their mark early and prove they are championship contenders.
About halfway through the first half of the season, the Golden Grizzlies have seemingly proved their worthiness.
With a record of 6-1 overall, Oakland is currently ranked fifth — falling from third after a loss from Florida Gulf Coast two weeks ago. The Golden Grizzlies have recorded one shutout victory on the season and have outscored opponents 32-14 in their first seven games.
Forwards Billy Balent and Anthony Colizza lead the Oakland squad in goals with five a piece. Balent also has six recorded assists, one behind team leader Anthony Coles.
Goalies Matthew Toter and Corey Hirschuk are also leading their teams to decisive wins with their defensive play between the pipes.
Toter (3-1) has recorded one shutout on the season and is allowing 2.25 goals on average per game. Stopping 88 of 97 shots on goal, Toter has a 91% save-percentage.
Hrischuk (3-0) isn’t far behind, recording 68 saves of 73 shots on goal, allowing under 2 goals a game with a 93% save percentage.
Head Coach Jeremy Bachusz said that this early in the season, the usual plan for the Oakland team is to build chemistry and develop winning systems. After the first two games of the season, Bachusz was upset with his team despite strong victories, saying that his players were trying to do too much themselves.
Oakland has kept up the winning with high scoring offense and a disciplined defense, but the Golden Grizzlies toughest contest comes this weekend against #3 Minot State.
Familiar foes to Oakland, the Minot State Beavers have scored 25 goals on the season and are 6-0 overall.
With the early season success the team has gained moving forward, the Golden Grizzlies look to be a real competitor for the national title. Oakland will face other top-ranked teams this season — including a standalone game against Oklahoma in January and rivals Davenport in a five-game series throughout the season.
The challenges ahead for Oakland will test the team, with their success or failures moving forward coming from how they handle those challenges.
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