WWU hockey looks to defend national title

Western Washington University’s men's hockey team attempts to repeat as national champions beginning April 3 in Newark, Ohio. The tourney was postponed from its original March 13-15 date because of inclement weather in the eastern United States, according to the Collegiate Ice Hockey Association's website.

The undefeated Vikings go into the national finals as the only team in the tournament that hasn't lost a game. They haven’t played any teams in the tournament this season, so all of Western’s competition will be fresh.

Hockey is a club sport at Western, but this hasn’t stopped its athletes, much like the Western rugby teams and club baseball team, from experiencing post-season success.

Western goaltender Cam Bulger (Seattle) is confident the team is ready for the challenge.

"We aren’t going to take anything for granted,” Bulger said. “We don’t want to come back with any excuses.”

Western had some hiccups along the way to their national title last year, posting a record of 18-3-3. But that has set up the team to be more focused and prepared for this season, Bulger said.

"We know how to win," Bulger said. “But everyone has to do their job.”

Western will play in an eight-team, round-robin style tournament to determine the national champion; the other teams to make the national championship tournament are Xavier University, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, Medaille College, Hobart College, University of Buffalo, Union College and Allegheny College.