Crusaders' success continues
Hudson extends winning streak to five

December 18, 2007

With a formidable win-loss record to compliment a strong emphasis on skill development, the first-year Hudson Crusaders are enjoying the best of both worlds.

“We see our program as a major success story to this point,” said team president Harry Urschel.

That positive vibe carried into last weekend, as the Crusaders picked up their 16th win of the season – a 6-4 decision over the Granite City Lumberjacks.  Colin Barnauskas rang up two goals in the victory, with Eric Krezman recording the game-winner.  Between the pipes, Randy Johnson made 28 saves.

“These guys all hard work, have a great attitude and enjoy playing the game,” said Crusaders coach Don Babineau.  “They’re all best of friends - there’s no cliques - and they’re all having a good time in practice.

“You can tell they enjoy being on the ice together.  They’re always smiling and never complaining.”

The Crusaders have shown constant improvement under Babineau’s watch.  The team is a perfect 5-0 since he took over behind Hudson’s bench last month.

“The transition has been pretty smooth,” said Babineau.  “The guys have really been positive and everyone has made me feel at home and part of the team and a lot quicker than I expected.”

“Don has brought all of the elements together leading to team success,” said Urschel.  “All four of our lines are effective, not just our first line.”

The Crusaders are also benefiting from the off-ice goalie program directed by assistant coaches Ted Urschel and Marc Hanson, as well as the on-ice skill program directed by Scott Meyer.

The off-ice program, directed by Dean and Pete Talafous at TotalHockeyUSA, has also been a bonus for the players.  Harry Urschel, for one, is seeing results.

“The individual improvement in stickhandling, shooting and skating skills has been incredible,” he said.

“These kids are really committed to getting better and are a real pleasure to work with,” said Dean Talafous.  “I believe the complete package for development that Harry has designed is second to none.”

Babineau has also been impressed with the players’ willingness to learn and desire to improve.

“They’re asking a lot of questions, which is a good thing,” said the coach.  “They want to learn and they want to be taught.”

Injuries have depleted Hudson’s defense corps recently, resulting in three versatile forwards moving back to the blue line.

“They’ve all performed well and are continuously improving,” said Urschel.

And the Crusaders’ goaltending trio Adam Buegler, Johnson and Sam Foley are proving to be one the league’s best.

“All three are deserving to be No. 1,” said Urschel.

If Babineau has any early complaints, it’s to see his team orchestrate a more complete, 60-minute effort night in and night out.

“We’ve been good, but I’d like to see us play a little better in the third period, whether that’s defensively protecting the lead or offensively trying to tie the game up or take the lead,” he said.

The first-place Minnesota Ice Hawks and the Wisconsin Mustangs split a two-game set in Rochester last weekend, with the Mustangs picking up a 5-4 victory on Friday.  Jake Calleja notched two goals in that contest, with Matt Borndale striking for the game-winner.  In goal, Brian Dalbec made 26 saves.  Ryan Goodmanson scored two goals and an assist for the Ice Hawks.

Bryce Stevens tallied two goals, including the game-winner, as the Ice Hawks celebrated a 4-3 win over Wisconsin on Saturday.  Dirk Foss added two assists, while goaltender Ricky Doyen stopped 37 shots.  Borndale netted a goal and an assist for the Mustangs.

The Minnesota Owls celebrated a three-game sweep of the St. Louis Lightning last weekend, starting with a 4-1 triumph on Friday.  Chaz Norrgard connected for two goals, including the game-winner, and Justin Neis added a goal and an assist.  Between the pipes, Phil Poeschl steered aside 28 shots.  R.C. Martin struck for St. Louis’ lone marker.

Norrgard scored two more goals the next day, including the game-winner, and an assist as the Owls doubled up the Lightning, 6-3.  Neis added a goal and two assists, while netminder Zach Hanson made 19 saves.

Five different Owls scored as Minnesota skated to a 5-1 triumph over St. Louis on Sunday.  Nies recorded the game-winning goal and an assist, with Zach Wohlers racking up a goal and assist of his own.  Hanson turned aside 18 shots in net to pick up his second win of the weekend.

The Twin Cities Northern Lights picked up two more wins last weekend, beginning with an 8-5 victory over the St. Paul Lakers on Friday.  Britton Smith scored four goals for the Northern Lights, with Erik Olson assisting on all of them.  In goal, Derek Bishop turned aside 31 shots.  Stephen Campagna notched a pair of goals for St. Paul.

On Sunday, Olson connected for a goal and three more assists as the Northern Lights downed the Minnesota Flying Aces, 5-2.  Mike Bock scored the game-winning goal, while goaltender Matt Toter turned aside 34 shots.  Jordan Carey and Charlie Britt scored for the Aces.