Posted: Mar 04, 2015

#CUWStatsInfo: Women's Hockey NCHA Slaats Cup Preview

ADRIAN, Mich. – The Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Hockey team will continue its run in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association Slaats Cup Playoffs this weekend. The Falcons, who knocked off St. Scholastica last Saturday, are one of four teams remaining and will battle the top seed in the tournament, Adrian.

Adrian serves as the host for the final four teams and the matchup against the Falcons will begin at 3 pm (EST) Friday. The other semifinal matchup will feature No. 2 Lake Forest against No. 3 St. Norbert, scheduled to begin at 7 pm. The championship matchup will be Saturday at 2 pm.

Tickets for each game will be $7. For all ticket information contact the Arrington Ice Arena (517-265-5161 Ext. 5011). For more information, including live stats and video, directions and lodging information, click here.

The Falcons will be meeting Adrian for the fourth time this season and have posted a 0-2-1 record against the Bulldogs. This game is a rematch of last year's opening round Slaats Cup Playoffs game, one which Adrian escaped with a 6-5, overtime victory. CUWFalcons.com researched some of the numbers you need to know heading into the weekend.

Reiter's Game-Winner: A week into the 2014-15 season, senior Sammi Reiter (Stillwater, Minn.) thought her senior season was over after tearing her ACL. The Falcons are glad their senior assistant captain was able to return midway through the season, as she scored with 15 seconds remaining in the 2-1 opening round win over St. Scholastica. The senior, who has 32 career points, picked a perfect time to net her first career game-winning goal.

Double-Digit Wins: Coach Steve Fabiilli has had an impressive first season with the Falcons, leading the program to double-digit wins for just the second time in school history. CUW has won 11 games this season, which is two shy of the program record. The Falcons won 13 games during the 2010-11 season, also the only other time they won a postseason game.

Against Adrian: The Falcons own just a 2-16-3 record against Adrian and haven't beaten the Bulldogs since January 14, 2012. However, several of the more recent contests have been outstanding games. Over the past five contests CUW is 0-3-2 against Adrian with a pair of one-goal losses.

Heckendorf's Historic Season: Senior Emily Heckendorf has re-written the Falcons record books this season. The forward from Merrill, Wis., has scored 17 times, breaking the previous school record of 13 goals by Alisha Java in 2010-11. Heckendorf also has 71 points, which is tied for third most in program history and is two points away from tying Hilary Christiansen (2008-12) for second most points.

Slater's Net?: Both Bridget Slater (Roseau, Minn.) and Andrea Mizanskey (Palos Heights, Ill.) have been outstanding in net this season for CUW. Each player has a 2.50 GAA or better and both have save percentages over .915. Slater got the start last weekend and turned in a 31-save performance in the 2-1 win over the Saints. She also played in two of three games against Adrian this season, combining for 77 saves over the two contests.

Don't forget the Defense: A big part of the reason for the success of Slater and Mizanskey this season has been the play of the blueliners for CUW. Led by senior captain Elizabeth Otto (Stillwater, Minn.) the Falcons defense paved the way for a team that has a 2.27 GAA this season. Other key players on the blue line include juniors Chelsea Regan (Oakdale, Minn.), Hannah Zobel (Reedsburg, Wis.) and Jayda Hoerres (Melrose, Wis.). Freshman Amanda Curtin (Houston, Texas) has also seen significant time this season.

Special Teams: In last weekend's game notes it was stated that the Falcons would have to contend with one of the better power play units in the nation in St. Scholastica. CUW won the special teams battle in the game, scoring two power play goals compared to none for the Saints. The story remains the same for Friday's battle, as Adrian is second nationally in converting on 30.1 percent of their power plays. Adrian scored five power play goals against CUW during the regular season, but the Falcons penalty kill has been better as of late, allowing just two PP goals over the past four games.