The annual early season match-up between perennial powerhouses Superior and Eau Claire Memorial has provided a preview of the kind of action we're used to seeing in Madison at the end of every season, and this year should be no different.
Superior's long standing goal has been to win all of its games against Wisconsin competition, but head coach Jason Kalin knows just how tough that can be. “It has been a goal of Superior hockey ever since I can remember, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to carry through with that goal every year,” Kalin said. “Our schedule this season is probably the toughest in the history of Superior hockey. We play very tough Minnesota competition but the Wisconsin competition we are playing is just as tough.”
Memorial head coach Mike Schwengler knows how important this early season matchup can be. “ECM vs Superior has become a great rivalry in the last 6 years,” Schwengler said. “We play early in the season which gives both programs an idea of what they have going forward.”
Both teams are extremely fast, and loaded with talent top-to-bottom. The big difference physically, is size. “One advantage they have over our squad is their size,” Kalin said. “We are a small team and have been for the past 4 years. We work very hard in the weight room in the off season and during the season to get bigger but some of the boys just haven't hit their growth spurts yet.”
But Kalin also pointed out that Memorial's aggressive fore-check coupled with its size advantage will probably earn the Spartans a few power play opportunities. The Spartans have had good success this season on the powerplay, going 5-for-11 in three games.
The penalty box was also on Schwengler's mind coming into this match-up stating that Memorial needs to “minimize odd-man chances, stay out of the box, and create and capitalize on turnovers.” Coach Schwengler also emphasized the need to create match-up problems “if possible” with both teams rotating three full lines of skaters.
Look for sophomore goaltender Zach Reiswig to step up for the Spartans. Reiswig relocated from the Washington D.C. metro area to Superior and has shown that he is more than capable of playing at this level. Also be on the watch for the junior line of Nolan Holcombe, Daniel Litchke and Caleb Dushkin for the Spartans. The junior line has six goals in three games, and coach Kalin says they'll need to be in on the scoring against Memorial.
Look for everybody on the ECM side to be on their A-game Saturday. Through two games (stats for Hudson vs ECM on Thursday are not yet available) Hunter Scott leads the way with four of Memorial's 12 goals on the season and Scott along with Matthew Knapp, Alexander Dahl and Brady Burzynski are all averaging more than a point a game on the young season.
