St. Norbert Times

Issue date: 3/8/10 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Kelsey Fenton

The SNC hockey team brought the Peters Cup Playoff Championship back to where it belongs. The Knights dominated most of the game Saturday night behind a solid offensive and defensive effort. SNC only allowed 12 shots on goal en route to their 7-1 victory over the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Falcons. Junior defensemen Dustin Walz believes the Knights got off to a great start against the Falcons.

"From the drop of the puck I felt we were the better team. We played a great first period and with the crowd behind us really took the game over early and never looked back."

The Cornerstone Community Center was packed full to see the Knights hoist the Peters Cup. The student section was one of the best it has ever been and really helped the Knights in the early stages of the game. Walz felt having the crowd support was a huge confidence booster heading into a championship game.

"With the intense student section we were able to get off to a great start. Early on guys could hear the students chanting and screaming and it really got us going. The home ice advantage was huge and celebrating with the student section after the game was a big highlight."

With the playoff championship, the Knights earn an automatic qualifier into the NCAA tournament and will be the number one ranked team in the west region. Being the number one ranked team is always nice because you will get to host one or possibly two NCAA tournament games. In the past when the Knights were the number one seed, they only had to win one Saturday night game to advance to the frozen four. Walz believes a home NCAA game will be a great atmosphere and is excited for next week.

"With the fan support we got last weekend, the game will be very intense. Hosting an NCAA tournament game is always great and with our fans behind us we will have a lot of confidence heading into the game."

Winning the Peters Cup for the Knights completed phase two of three the Knights were aiming for heading into the season. Winning the league title was the first phase and winning the national championship is the third phase. The Knights will look to begin phase three this coming week with the goal being to earn a birth back to Lake Placid, New York where the Knights won the national championship in 2008. Walz remembers what it was like out in Lake Placid and would love to earn a birth back out there.

"Getting back to Lake Placid has been the ultimate goal since the first day we started practice. We have worked hard all season long and put forth lots of effort on and off the ice. We are back where we need to be and are looking forward to beginning NCAA tournament play and hopefully completing phase three."

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