Mike Szkodzinski knows great things are possible.
The Lawrence University hockey coach has seen him team post some impressive wins during the campaign. As Szkodzinski prepares his team for the opening of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs this weekend, he knows the Vikings can’t just show up and expect to win.
“We have a team that is capable of achieving some special things, but we’re also a team that needs to bring it’s A game the rest of the way in order to achieve the goals we’ve set for ourselves,” Szkodzinski said.
Lawrence hosts a MCHA quarterfinal playoff series with Northland College on Friday night and Saturday afternoon at the Appleton Family Ice Center. The winner advances to the Harris Cup Four at Adrian College on March 5-6.
The Vikings need to play well to defeat Northland, which has put together its best season in school history with a 9-14-2 record. Lawrence has beaten Northland in three of four meetings this year, but the Lumberjacks are coming off a weekend split against highly regarded Marian University.
“We’re going up against one of the hottest teams in the league,” Szkodzinski said.
The Vikings (12-12-1) wrapped up the regular season with a split against Finlandia University last weekend and clinched home ice with a win in the series opener. Finlandia, which scored 11 goals in the two games, then defeated Lawrence in the series finale.
“One of the staples of our program has been solid team defense, and that was definitely not the case against Finlandia. We were really disappointed with the way we treated the final game as if it didn’t matter,” Szkodzinski said.
“It’s nearly impossible to turn a switch on an off so we has coaches need to pay attention to every little detail. Attention to detail is the most important thing at the moment.”
On the flip side, Lawrence’s offense scored 10 goals last weekend. The Vikings also converted four of their nine power-play chances against Finlandia, and special teams loom as a key in the playoffs.
“We put up 10 goals this weekend and only one player had more than one. Scoring by committee was a goal this season so hopefully that’s a good omen heading into the playoffs,” Szkodzinski said.
“(Power play and penalty kill) are two things that can make or break a game at this time of the year. Everybody knows everybody so special teams are going to be a focus of the coaches.”
The Vikings also get sophomore forward Brad Scurfield, one of the team’s top scorers, back. Scurfield hasn’t played since being injured against MSOE back on Jan. 28.
“We’ve had some key injures over the past three months, and it looks like we’re going to be a little healthier going into Friday night,” Szkodzinski said.
Another key the Vikings bring to this weekend is playoff success. Lawrence has reached the Harris Cup Four semifinals in three of the past four seasons so this group of seniors understands what it takes to win in the postseason.
“At this time of the year, we always seem to see special play from our upperclassmen,” said Szkodzinski, citing seniors Evan Johnson, Jon Sheridan, Corey Garrett and Josh DeSmit. “Those guys are ready to leave a lasting impression on this program.”
Track headed to MWC meet
The Lawrence track team is headed to the Midwest Conference Championships this weekend at Grinnell College.
The Vikings are looking to improve on last year’s eighth-place finishes, and Lawrence sends an improved team on the men’s side. The Vikings have the defending men’s champion in the mile in sophomore Sam Stevens, who also placed fourth in the 800 meters a season ago.
The women’s team was dealt a huge blow this week when Rose Tepper, a NCAA Division III Championships qualifier in the high jump, was injured in practice. She will not compete this weekend but hopes to return for the NCAA meet on March 12.
Kerkman set throw record
Lawrence track standout Nick Kerkman was named the Midwest Conference Field Performer of the Week after breaking a school record.
Kerkman (Mequon, Wis./Homestead) set the Lawrence record in the 35-pound weight throw at the UW-Stevens Point Eastbay Invitational this past Saturday. Kerkman recorded a throw of 48 feet, 8 inches, to break the record of 45-7.75, which was set by Mike Pierquet in 2008.
Kerkman now holds a pair of Lawrence track records. He set the mark in the hammer throw of 145-1 during the 2010 outdoor season.
Editor’s Note: Inside LU Athletics is a weekly notes package written by Lawrence University Sports Information Director Joe Vanden Acker. It will feature teams and individual players, recap weekly awards or highlights and take a look at what’s ahead for the Vikings.