Club hockey team ready to defend its title

By Kim Anderson

The Fresno State hockey team is a club team isn’t operated the same way many of the school’s other athletic programs are, but that hasn’t stopped it from being highly respected by its opponents on the ice.

After finishing its season 6-3-1, the team is looking to defend its title of Pacific Collegiate Hockey Association champions and play its way to the national tournament.

“ Every game we play is a battle because we are in a good division,” said coach Esko Siipola, “every game is like war.”

Because of a lack of funding for the program, the Fresno State hockey team is made up of individuals who offer their time and energy to keep the program running.

In order to travel and purchase equipment, the team has to find sponsors, raise funds and pay dues.

The money they receive goes directly toward the program to pay for equipment and charter vans for traveling.

According to Siipola, the average budget for most teams in the league can range from $15,000-$30,000, depending on the number of games, travel and related costs. There is also a premium cost for ice rental.

To make up for some of the expenses, each player looks for sponsors, most of which are private contributors.

“ The time that every player must give isn't much, but when you factor in that everyone has a job, it makes those 6 a.m. practices very difficult sometimes,” sophomore forward Marcel Bourdase said. “I think that deep down you have to love the game of hockey. Everyone on this team does, and that's why we sacrifice so much time to represent ourselves, the school and just play the game.”

The Bulldogs play in two leagues, the PCHA and the American Collegiate Hockey Association. The PCHA, which the Bulldogs were champions of last year, is limited to California colleges.

Many of the better teams—including Fresno State—in the PCHA also participate in Division III of the ACHA. Each game played against these teams counts toward a ranking for the national tournament, which will be hosted this year by Arizona State.

“ Playoffs are always a lot of fun and the intensity level goes up another notch.” assistant coach Nick Grim said.

The Bulldogs, who earned a 9-3 win over Cal State- Northridge last Friday, travel to Simi Valley this weekend for the PCHA playoffs with a game against College of the Canyons on Friday.