Losing streak reaches 4

In the midst of a six-game road swing, the IU men’s hockey team (8-20-2) traveled to Bensenville, Ill., to face Robert Morris University (20-7-1).  

Earlier this season the Eagles won a pair of games against the Hoosiers, and on Jan. 28-30 IU sought two key conference wins in a series rematch. 

IU came into the weekend one conference win ahead of the Kent State Golden
Flashes but last in winning percentage and as the only team with a losing record in the division. The other six conference teams all have at least 14 wins compared to Indiana’s eight.

With just six games remaining, two wins over RMU could have provided a cushion for the Hoosiers’ case for not finishing last.

However, injuries and ejections left IU short-handed, and the Eagles took advantage, defeating the Hoosiers 4-1. Senior KC Madock scored the only goal for IU.  

Saturday, the Hoosiers felt the results of being short-handed again. Freshman Daniel Emanuel’s lone goal was not enough in the 5-1 IU loss.

“We came out and played well, but with the injuries and ejections, we were left with five defense men and were very short-handed,” senior Jason Burriss said.

Next week, the Hoosiers will be on the road in St. Charles, Mo., to face the No. 1 Lindenwood Lions. Earlier this season, the Lions won both games against the Hoosiers by a combined 15-1.  

“We need to dictate the pace of the game. They are a physical team, but we need to stick to what we do if we want to have a chance,” Burriss said.

The Hoosiers remain in sixth place, but a continued losing streak could force them into last place as both IU and KSU have four games remaining on the season. Two of the Hoosiers’ remaining games are against division teams, while all four of the Golden Flashes’ games are against division foes.

“For us, regardless of where we finish, we are going to play a tough team in the conference playoffs,” Burriss said. “It’s more important for us to play well by playing our style of hockey. Not allowing the other teams we are playing to dictate the pace of the game is what we need to work on in these last few games.”

As of now, IU is preparing to play the Ohio Bobcats.

If the Hoosiers fall to last place, Iowa State will be waiting in the first round of the division tournament.