Published: Wednesday, September 26, 2007
YSU hockey poised for big season
BOARDMAN — After going 14-16-2 a year ago and with Friday's season opener looming, Youngstown State hockey coach Rocky Russo is poised for a big season.
"The team looks real good," Russo said. "We've got some good leadership coming back and a real good group of freshmen coming in. I think our strength is going to be in defense and goaltending."
The American Collegiate Hockey Association just released their pre-season rankings, and the coaches voted YSU into the 29th spot in the country.
"We brought in two quality defensemen from the Junior B ranks in Josh Wolfe and Cody Parker," Russo said. "We have the ACHA Rookie of the Year back in Mike Poljak.
"Zac Kusek is making the move from defensemen to forward," Russo said. "He scored 40 points as a defenseman last year, and I think he's going to do big things up front this year.
"We want to win College Hockey Mid-America, get the automatic bid to Nationals, and see what happens from there," Russo said.
Coming together
The Penguins opened training camp four weeks ago just trying to get their legs back into shape for the grind of the season. Now, after a month of practice, the squad seems to be coming together.
Youngstown State will begin its season Friday night in Wooster against Bowling Green at the Battle of Ohio Tournament.
"Bowling Green is tough because they are a quality Division II team," Russo said. "That sometimes has the makeup of an upset because the boys might walk in taking them a little lightly. So, we've got to be ready."
The winner of the YSU vs. BGSU game will take on the winner of John Carroll vs. Kent State in the championship game on Saturday at 8 p.m.
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