Men’s hockey gears up for defending national champs

MEQUON, Wis. - After a 6-1 defeat to UW-Stout to open the season on Friday night, the schedule doesn't get any easier for the Concordia University Wisconsin men's hockey team.

Fans unable to attend the game can listen to CUW's radio broadcast with Matt Menzl on play-by-play and Ashley Gorski on color commentary by clicking here. Or fans can get updates via Twitter by clicking here.

Defending Division III national champion St. Norbert College will visit the Ozaukee Ice Center on Tuesday night, giving CUW another tough opponent in what is sure to be a brutally challenging start to the new season.

Not only are the Green Knights the reigning NCAA title holders, but they're also currently the top-ranked team in the nation according to U.S. College Hockey Online.

Top returners for the Green Knights, which will be playing its first game of the season, include junior forwards Cody Keefer and Kyle Stroh, who combined for 25 goals and 20 assists a year ago.

For the Falcons, sophomore Russell Johnson (Monticello, Minn.) and senior Michael Zirk (North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) earned points in the loss against UW-Stout on Friday, while freshman goaltender Justin Lehr (Appleton, Wis.) came up with 38 saves.

Game time is set for 7 p.m.