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Colgate University Athletics

Colgate practice at St. Cloud 10-9-14

Men's Ice Hockey By Jarrett Abelson

Colgate Opens With Top 10 Matchup At SCSU

No. 5/6 Raiders Begin 2014-15 Campaign in Minnesota with Series at No. 6/7 Huskies

Colgate Game Central

HAMILTON - No. 5/6 Colgate men's ice hockey opens the 2014-15 season with a formidable test as it travels to Minnesota for a weekend series versus fellow top 10 foe No. 6/7 St. Cloud State at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.
 
The Raiders and Huskies begin their two-game series Friday with a 7:37 p.m. (CST) contest before returning to the ice Saturday for a 7:07 p.m. tilt. Live stats and pay-per-view video are available for both contests. They can both be accessed by clicking on the gameday central link at the top of the page.
 
The preseason favorite to capture the ECAC Hockey regular season title, Colgate returns one of most experienced lineups in the nation as 22 letterwinners are back from its 2013-14 squad. The Raiders lost just two players to graduation (forward Mike McCann and goaltender Eric Mihalik) as they return a whopping 275 of their 286 points scored last season, highlighted by nine of the team's top 10 point-getters from a season ago.  
 
It is fitting that Colgate begins the 2014-15 season on the road as its ability to play well away from Starr Rink was one of the keys to the Raiders success last season. Colgate compiled an 8-4-3 record in true road contests in 2013-14, including a 7-3-1 road mark in ECAC Hockey play.

"This group is very focused," said Colgate Head Coach Don Vaughan about his team during preseason practice. "We know there are expectations on this group. We'll embrace that and use it as a challenge to our group and go about our business on a daily basis.

Of all the teams I've coached, last year's team was the best at hitting the reset button the next day, regardless of if we won or lost. That had a huge impact on how we played down the stretch last season and that's the message I'm hearing again already this season."
 
The Raiders have fared well in season openers during the Don Vaughan era as they are 10-8-3 in their 21 previous season starters under the veteran coach, including 5-1-1 mark in their last seven openers.
 
Like Colgate, St. Cloud State also welcomes back a veteran lineup as head coach Bob Motzko returns 21 letterwinners from his 2013-14 squad. The Huskies bring back seven of its top 10 point producers from last year, highlighted by junior forward Jonny Brodzinski, who led the Huskies with 41 points (21g/20a). Junior forward Kalle Kossila is also back in the lineup after pacing SCSU with 27 assists last winter to finish second on the team with 40 points.
 
Colgate returns home next weekend to entertain No. 16 Northeastern in a two-game series at Starr Rink Oct. 17-18. Tickets are available by calling the Colgate Ticket Office at 315-288-7600 or by visiting BleedColgateMaroon.com.
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Players Mentioned

Mike McCann

#19 Mike McCann

F
5' 10"
Senior
Eric Mihalik

#29 Eric Mihalik

G
6' 1"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Mike McCann

#19 Mike McCann

5' 10"
Senior
F
Eric Mihalik

#29 Eric Mihalik

6' 1"
Senior
G