The Grand Valley State University club roller hockey team looks to finish preseason games with a winning streak and to begin to prepare for the Midwest Collegiate Roller Hockey League regional championships in March.

Now in their second season at the Division I level, the Lakers have fared well with a 5-5-2 record, currently sitting in third place in the Midwest Collegiate Roller Hockey League conference behind Ohio State University and first-place Michigan State University.

Over the weekend, the Lakers skated away with a perfect 3-0 record, emerging victorious against the University of Illinois (9-4), Stony Brook University (9-4) and Division II Central Michigan (9-4). The Lakers were led by sophomore forward Kyle Novack, who scored three goals in each game.

Heading into the final games of the season, the members on the team are starting to peak while they continue to improve on their team play.

“We have definitely have come along way from the beginning of the season,” said head coach Tim Mastbergen. “We had a few issues with inconsistency to begin with. Being able to play one game at the higher level and then the next game just coming out flat.”

With two weeks off before their last regular season game, Mastbergen and his team will be focusing on perfecting their power play to maximize their scoring chances and giving up fewer chances.

“The guys are getting used to playing with each other” Mastbergen said. “There is familiarity between the players. As bad habits are starting to form as coaches we are trying to work together to break them and to make sure we are a fine-oiled machine.”

With the challenges of tougher competition against Division I schools, the Lakers have the attitude to better their record from the 2010-11 regular season record of 7-8-2 and to beat rival Ohio State in the regional championships.

“We have treated the games this year with a more serious attitudes since moving up to DI,” said freshman forward Josh Kanclerz. “We deserved it and we are a better more skilled team now because of it.”

Club president and senior forward, Nick Dow, couldn’t agree more with Kanclerz.

“I think its there this year,” Dow said. “A big difference from last year is how positive we are. Every one has fun on the bench instead of getting down on each other. We need a complete game of tightening up on defense, giving less chance at odd man rushes. Get rid of our weaknesses and capitalize on our scoring will make all of the difference.”

With a newfound attitude, the Lakers will take return to action against Eastern Michigan University, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Ohio State University in West Bloomfield, Mich., on Feb. 18th.

“These guys have really shown what they can do,” Mastbergen said. “If we can play a complete game we shouldn’t have to worry about anything else. I need 36 minutes at 100 percent.”

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