Hoosiers disappointed with split weekend

Twenty-one goals in three games can certainly build confidence for a hockey team, but that confidence might have gotten the best of the Hoosiers last Saturday when they dropped their final match to Western Michigan University in a weekend split.\nIU swept the Stallions last season, scoring 14 goals in the process. It picked up right where it left off this season, breezing by the Stallions 7-2 in game one Friday night. But IU couldn't find the net Saturday, losing 4-1.\nIn game one, IU dominated throughout and scored two quick goals in the first period. It possessed a 7-0 lead in the third period until the Stallions scored two late goals. Outshooting WMU 34-23, the Hoosiers played two-way hockey throughout most of the game, as they were led by freshman forward David Murray, who scored the first two goals of his career. \n Five other Hoosiers also found the net, including sophomore forward Dan Karlander, who racked up his third goal of the season and had two assists in the game. The Hoosiers also took advantage of the Stallions' mistakes, scoring three power-play goals. \nIU coach Richard Holdeman said he believes it was one of the better games his team played this season. \n"We played a nice, complete game," Holdeman said. "It was great. From start to finish, all the systems looked really good."\nJunior forward Chad Fiala, who had two assists in the game, agreed with Holdeman's evaluation.\n"Everything about our play was good," he said. "From our goalie to our defense and up to our forwards, everyone played extremely well."\nIn the second game of the series, the tables were turned as the Stallions came out strong and netted three early goals, jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead at the end of the first period.\nJunior goaltender Brien McCormick made his first start in the net for the Hoosiers, making 29 saves, but the slow start prevented him from earning his first win of the season. This marked the first game of the season that the Hoosiers were outshot by their opponents, 33-26.\nAfter sweeping the series last season in Bloomington and winning again Friday, Holdeman said he believes his team might have overlooked its opponents. \n"I don't know if we were overconfident or that we had to sit around all day waiting to play," Holdeman said. "I think guys thought that since we won easily on Friday, we were going to win easily again."\nThe Hoosiers went 0-3 on power plays and although coming close and hitting the post a few times, IU couldn't keep up with the Stallions' offense.\n"Everything that went perfect in the first game went wrong in the second game," Fiala said. "It seemed like everything was off, and we committed way too many stupid penalties." \nJunior forward Reed Schafer, who had a goal in the first game, was dissatisfied with how the weekend turned out.\n"Both Jimmy (Hugill) and Brien (McCormick) played extremely well for us in goal and really gave our team a chance to win both games," Schafer said. "It is disappointing that we were not able to return the favor to them."\nThe Hoosiers head to Big Rapids, Mich., for two games this weekend against Ferris State University in their Great Midwestern Hockey League opener.