By: Casey Roehl

Bloomington, IN-- The Indiana Hoosiers return to Great Midwest Hockey League action on Friday against the Grand Valley State Lakers in a match-up of top-20 programs in the ACHA's D2 Central Division. The Hoosiers, (13-5-3), fresh off a win against Northern Illinois last Friday at Frank Southern Ice Arena, get set to host GVSU, (8-8-1-1) for the first time in Bloomington since 2017. 

Last time out: Indiana:

The Hoosiers took care of business in their return to the ice for the first time in 2019 against the Northern Illinois Huskies, 4-1 at Frank Southern Ice Arena. The cream and crimson offense featured four different goal scorers, including Jonathan Schubauer, the 23-year-old graduate student who notched his first career Indiana goal in the win. 

Junior netminder Joseph Stebbins faced 39 saves, making 38 saves in his fifth win of the season. The 21-year old at the Frank has faced 94 combined shots over his last two starts, making 90 saves in the process.

The Hoosiers top-ranked penalty kill unit steered aside a season high seven power-play opportunities for the Huskies in the win.

Game two was cancelled due to inclement weather.

Last time out: Grand Valley State:  

The Lakers fell to Aquinas College 3-0 last Saturday, increasing their losing streak to six games this season. GVSU in two games since the beginning of the new year, has yet to score a goal. The Lakers were outscored over their two-game set against the Saints 8-0. 

Offensive woes:

The Lakers in their current losing skid have been outscored by opposing teams 23-9 over a six game span. Over that stretch, the Lakers league low power-play unit (15.58%), has been held to one power-play goal (1-19). 

GVSU Domination of Indiana:

Since the Hoosiers relocated to the Great Midwest Hockey League before the 2014-15 season, Indiana is 0-8 against the Lakers in the all-time league series.

The current Indiana senior class is a career 0-6, with two combined points and one goal against the Lakers.

Indiana goaltenders sport a 7.50 goals against average against the Lakers.

Lakers notables against Hoosiers: 

Junior forward Ryan Hein has a team leading seven goals against the Hoosiers over his GVSU career, including a hat trick, netted on Jan. 12, 2018.

Senior forwards Austin Koleski and Cameron Dyde have also pitched in six combined goals (four-Koleski, two-Dyde), in their careers against Indiana. 

GMHL standings update: 

With four weeks remaining in the season, Indiana and GVSU are among the teams with the least amount of games played in GMHL league play. Indiana (2-2), will face six GMHL opponents in their final 10 games, (including GVSU), over the remainder of the season.

GVSU, (2-4), have played the second fewest games in the league. The Lakers are scheduled to face seven consecutive GMHL teams (including Indiana) over their final 11 games.

GMHL Standings: 

Adrian College: 6-3-1-1, 14 points

Trine University: 4-2-0-1, 9 points

Davenport University: 4-3-1, 9 points

Michigan State University: 2-4-1-1, 6 points

University of Michigan: 2-1-1, 5 points

Indiana University: 2-2, 4 points

Grand Valley State University: 2-4, 4 points. 

Tune into the broadcasts on Friday at 9:15 pm ET from Frank Southern Ice Arena and Saturday at 3:15 pm ET on the Indiana University Ice Hockey Facebook Page.