The Marquette club hockey team completed a weekend sweep of Wisconsin-Platteville Saturday night, defeating the Pioneers, 7-5, after winning the first game of the series, 9-2, Friday at the Ponds of Brookfield.

It was a hard-fought victory for Marquette, who lost senior captain Mike Westphal to a concussion in Saturday night's contest. It is not certain how long Westphal will be out of action, but his loss will be felt immediately, since he and Adam Hackman lead the team in scoring with 35 points apiece.

Westphal was the most notable casualty of the two physical games that were fraught with penalties and violent play. The Golden Eagles, who are right at home in a slugfest, were forced to play the unusual role of the undersized team against the Pioneers, whose roster is loaded with big players.

"For the first time all year, we were actually the smaller team," Hackman said. "We had to beat them in other ways and we had to adjust to their style and settle down. They forced us to get into a system, slow down and just play Marquette hockey."

The Golden Eagles had to deal with a Pioneer squad that seemed intent on exerting their physical will over the game and setting a slow, methodical tempo.

"They hit you every chance they got," Hackman said. "It was a chippy game, but it was very clear that we were the more talented team. Some guys thought they might have been a little dirty."

In Friday night's rout, Hackman netted three goals and two assists to spearhead the offensive effort for the Golden Eagles. Megan Trickey made 20 saves in her 10th start in Marquette head coach Ian Spencer's goalie-by-committee system for the victory.

Tony Caponigri added two goals and an assist for Marquette.

The Golden Eagles improved to 13-2 with the victory and will next be in action Friday and Saturday against Robert Morris College of Springfield.

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Feb. 1 2005.