1977-78 Cobber Hockey

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Icemen ranked high

College hockey, a perennial favorite among Concordia's sports fans, again proved to be ex- citing to the many who turned out to see the 1978 Cobber hockey team in action. Concordia's icers, after the first seven conference games of the season maintained a strong 6-1 record. However, a gruelling road schedule against the MIAC's best left the Cobbers at 6-8 for the season

Under the guidance of head coach Al Rice, the relatively young squad had been ranked as high as second in early National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics polls. However, nine of Concordia's 14 conference games were played on the road, and on numerous occasions Concordia jumped quickly to an early lead before their opponents prevailed.

Among the leading scorers for Concordia this year were juniors John Villalta of International Falls, MN, Jeff Frider, team captain from Hibbing, MN, Ray Weisgarber of Regina, Sask., and Dave Perry of Moorhead. Also providing scoring punch for the maroon and gold were senior Rex Lewis of Duluth, MN, and freshman standout Sheldon Vatnsdal of Roseau, MN.

Concordia's icemen, 11-16 overall this season, stand to lose just three players from the present roster. Senior goalie Kevin Sorenson from Coleraine, MN, provided the Cobb ers with depth at a very demanding position. Along with Sorenson and the versatile Rex Lewis, Randy Beck, the speedy wing from Puposky, MN, will be graduating from the 1978 team. Though Concordia's hockey team is losing three players, Coach Al Rice has a number of talented young players in the wings for 1979.

Two Cobber icers receive conference honors

Junior center John Villalta, International Falls, MN, and senior defenseman-forward Rex Lewis from Duluth, MN, were Concordia selections to the All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team for 1977-78.

Villalta topped Concordia scorers for the season with 40 points; 17 goals and 23 assists. His conference total of 20 (10 goals, 10 assists) placed him fifth in MIAC scoring. Along with junior wingmen Jeff Frider, team captain from Hibbing, MN, and Dave Perry of Moorhead, Villalta's trio provided one of the highest producing lines in recent Concordia history.

A versatile forward and defenseman, Rex Lewis picked up 19 points for the year on seven goals and 12 assists. He was among the league's top ten scorers and is cunently in Germany for a tryout with a professional hockey team.

Jeff Frider, Dave Perry and junior wing Ray Weisgarber from Regina, Sask., were named to the MIAC honorable mention.
 
 

Schedule
 

1977-78 Cobber Hockey 11-16
Opponent    W/L CC Opp
Bemidji      L   1   5
Iowa State   W  12   2
Augsburg JV  W   7   1
Gustavus     L   0  10
St. Thomas   L   4   7
St. John's   L   6   7
Superior     W   6   5
Superior     L   4   8
St. Cloud    W   4   1
St. Cloud    L   9  10 (OT)
St. Mary's   W  11   2
St. Mary's   W   5   3
Bemidji      L   3   6
Winnipeg     L   2  10
Winnipeg     W   6   5
St. Olaf     W   6   4
St. Olaf     W   7   5
St. John's   W   7   3
Hamline      L   2   5
Hamline      W   9   4
St. Thomas   L   6   8
St. Thomas   L   2   8
Augsburg     L   3   7
Augsburg     L   5   8
St. John's   L   3   4
Gustavus     L   4   8
Gustavus     L   2  13

Stats

MIAC Race
 

1977-78        MIAC   OVERALL
    Concordia  6-8-0  11-16-0
    Other Records Not Available
    Augsburg-3rd Title

Roster
 

Roster
1  Jim Froeber G, Jr, Crookston
2  Kevin Sorenson G, Sr, Coleraine
3  Tom Samuelson C, Fr, Duluth
4  Sheldon Vatnsdal D, Fr, Roseau
5  Dave Thune C, Fr, Fargo
6  Al Griffith W, So, New Hope
7  John Willert D, So, Minot
8  Kelly Wheeler D, Fr, Minneapolis
9  Tim Nickel C, Fr, Moose jaw, Sask
10 Jeff Frider W, Jr, Hibbing
12 Ray Weisgarber W, Jr, Regina, Sask
14 Dave Perry W, Jr, Moorhead
15 Lionel Shmyr W, Fr, Milford, Sask
16 John Villalta C, Jr, International Falls
17 Tony Hoops C, Fr, Crystal
18 Ed Monacelli W, So, Hibbing
19 Frank Bellanger D, So, Minneapolis
20 Randy Beck C, Sr, Puposky

All-MIAC
Junior center John Villalta, International Falls, MN, and senior defenseman-forward Rex Lewis from
Duluth, MN, were Concordia selections to the All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team for
1977-78. Jeff Frider, Dave Perry and junior wing Ray Weisgarber from Regina, Sask., were named to the MIAC honorable mention.

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