Split duties on the weekend in Kalamazoo for Prince Rupert's Frank Slubowski

A rough second period brought Frank Slubowski's Friday night to an end after the WMU Broncos surrendered three goals in the second frame, eventually dropping a 4 to 3 decision to St. Cloud State in the first of a two game series in  Kalamazoo.

The Broncos goaltender was given the nod for the start to the weekend, having had a strong outing last weekend in Denver.  The First period went well for the Broncos as they held onto a 1-0 lead before St. Cloud scored the equalizer in the last few minutes of the opening period.

However,  the second frame was a struggle as Slubowski and his Bronco team mates gave up three goals before the twenty minutes were up, making for the end of his night in the Bronco's net.

His summary line on the evening would show four goals on fifteen shots before head coach Andy Murray perhaps looking to shake up his Broncos squad, turned to  Lukas Hafner who took over in the third, facing six shots on his twenty minutes but shutting the door on the Huskies attack.

Offensive chances were there for the Broncos on the evening firing some 34 shots at the St. Cloud goaltender, but not enough of them found the range to bring the WMU squad back by the time the clock expired on the night.

Based on the strong third period of work for Hafner, head coach Andy Murray gave him the nod for the game two start on Saturday evening, with the Bronco's getting their on ice act together to hold on for a shoot out victory to salvage the weekend.

Bronco Comeback Falls Short
WMU hockey team rallies, but No. 15 St. Cloud State holds on for 4-3 win

Western Michigan is on the road this coming weekend with a trip to Oxford, Ohio and a two game series with Miami University of Ohio.

For more items about Prince Rupert athletes playing sports away from home see our archive page here.

WMU Broncos head for playoffs in Duluth

The Western Michigan University Broncos are heading for the NCHC Quarterfinals, after a split of weekend action in North Dakota.

Though for Prince Rupert's Frank Slubowski, the weekend proved to be one of watching from the bench, over playing on the ice.

Broncos head coach Andy Murray chose to start Lukas Hafner in the weekend showdown with North Dakota. Staying his course despite a Friday night loss, his confidence in Lafner was rewarded with a Saturday victory, the first ever for the WMU program over North Dakota.

Despite the success of Saturday night, the Bronco's ceded the opportunity for home ice advantage in the playoffs to come this weekend, resulting in their playoff path to be one long road trip for the rest of the way.

Reviews and background on the weekend games can be found below

March 9-- WMU hockey picks up first-ever win vs. North Dakota, 2-1, finishes in fourth place in NCHC
March 8-- Hargrove and Hafner Lead WMU over North Dakota 2-0
March 8-- WMU hockey's 2-0 loss at North Dakota locks Broncos into road series in NCHC Tournament
March 7-- Broncos Blanked at North Dakota

The Broncos now travel to Duluth Minnesota, for the first of what they hope will be a lengthy run through the NCHC playoffs, with a spot in NCHC finals in Minnesota March 21st and 22nd.

Success through the NCHC could provide the Broncos with a shot at the Big Prize in US College hockey that of a berth in the Frozen Four in Philadelphia.

How much time Slubowski, the PRMHA alumnus will see in playoff action, appears to be only known to coach Murray.

He has tended towards starting Hafner in many of the high profile games so far this year, and stayed with him for the final game of the regular NCHC season.

Still, the need to be focused and ready to take to the ice at any time will be on the mind of Slubowski as he seeks to work his way back into the confidence of his coach, at the most important portion of the NCAA season.

The Broncos play Friday and Saturday in Duluth.

Previews of the week ahead can be found below in the lead up to the weekend puck drop.



We have more on Rupertites playing sports at university or other locations on our archive page.

Slubowski turns aside 56 of 57 shots in weekend Tourney at Notre Dame

It was almost a record making weekend for Prince Rupert's Frank Slubowski, with the goaltender for the Western Michigan University Broncos coming oh-so-close to tying a team record for consecutive shut outs.

However, an equipment issue required him to leave the ice for just 1 minute and forty eight seconds on Saturday afternoon, a untimely break that scuppered his shot at the Western Michigan record books for now.

While the Bronco's went on to claim the victory and a shut out in the game. With his equipment issues, Slubowski could only claim a partial shut out on the day, an asterisk on the stats sheet, that leaves him having to start the quest for a new WMU record at the 0 mark.

A challenging proposition, considering the short seasons that NCAA hockey provides for.

As for the weekend tournament action overall, WMU ended up in the consolation round of the tournament. Their fate delivered after Friday's thrilling tournament opener, a game that was settled with a shoot out loss to Northeastern.

The Northeastern squad, based out of Boston, Massachusetts would by weekend's end be the championship squad of the Notre Dame hosted tournament.

Saturday, the Broncos faced off against Alabama-Huntsville, topping them 1-0, with Slubowski holding them scoreless for 58 minutes and twelve seconds, Lukas Hafner spelling him out during his 1:48 eqiupment repair.

The victory left the Broncos with a 1 win, 1 loss record on the weekend, and Slubowski with a single goal against on the weekend, that being the successful shoot out marker of the eventual champs in game one.

They next see action with two home games  against the University of North Dakota, Friday and Saturday night match ups that both begin at 7:05 ET ( 4:05 PT)

You can find more about Slubowski's work at WMU from our archive page of Prince Rupert athletes in out of town locations, where some past entries on his time with the Bronco's can be found.

Reviews from the weekend tournament can be found below.

WMU hockey defeats Alabama-Huntsville, 1-0 in Shillelagh Tournament consolation game
WMU hockey ties Northeastern, 1-1- loses in shootout in Shillelagh Tournament
Broncos Blank Chargers 1-0
Broncos and Huskies Tie 1-1; NU wins Shootout 1-0
Irish Fall to Northeastern, 3-2, in Shillelagh Championship
Irish Open Shillelagh Tournament with 5-2 Win over Alabama Huntsville
Clay Witt named Hockey East Defensive player of the week
NU comes from behind to top Irish, win Shillelagh title 3-2

Frank Slubowski for the Hobey!

There has been a push of late locally, to help the cause of a former player in the PRMHA make it to the top of the NCAA hockey rankings in the USA.

Frank Slubowski, a goaltender who gained his start in the local Prince Rupert Minor Hockey Association, currently plays US College hockey for the University of Western Michigan Broncos, and now finds himself in the running for nomination for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, symbolic of excellence in US college hockey.

And while Slubowski has already received a number of accolades from US College hockey, the Hobey Baker buzz is a whole different level of recognition for him.

The Hobey Baker Award is one of the most coveted of awards in US college sports, previous winners have included such well know hockey figures as Brendan Morrison, Paul Kariya, Neal Broten and Ryan Miller to name a few.

Last year's recipient was Andy Miele, who signed with the Phoenix Coyotes.

The first two phases of nomination for the award include online balloting, the first phase of which has been going on since January 7th.

The efforts on the local scene to help Slubowski's cause began on one of Prince Rupert's social media platforms (htmf) and recently caught the attention of the content provider for the CFTK TV website (story) and (video)

You can learn more about the Hobey Baker Award balloting from this link,  and make your vote count here, the deadline for balloting in this first phase ends on March 10th.

At that point the second phase will begin with the Top Ten finalists names being announced and a second round of voting will take place.

For those looking for up to the minute updates on developments with he Hobey Baker competition you can check their twitter feed .

The success of Slubowski marks the second item of note from a PRMHA alumnus, earlier this month we recounted the debut of Devon Oakes who took his first shift in the WHL with the Kamloops Blazers.

You can look over some of our other PRMHA notes from our archive page.

Former PRMHA player recognized at US college level

An alumnus of the Prince Rupert Minor Hockey program, Frank Slubowski,  has been recognized US College Hockey,

Slubowski who plays in the CCHA, was recognized for his work over the weekend  after his Western Michigan University Broncos team swept the famed Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.


WMU website-- Brown and Slubowski win CCHA Weekly Honors