Lake Central looks to extend its four-game league winning streak, Crown Point Red continues its early-season push, and Penn Gold headlines a busy Culver field as varsity teams gather for two major weekend events.
Photo Illustration
A week after junior varsity teams took center stage at the Illiana Crossover, the varsity programs get their turn.
Lake Central Prep and Crown Point Red enter the October 23–25 weekend among Northwest Indiana's teams to watch, with both preparing for four games against opponents from across the state.
Lake Central sits atop the Illiana League standings with eight points through five games, winning four straight league contests. Crown Point Red, meanwhile, has collected three points through three league games and remains in the mix alongside Munster Red and Bishop Noll Varsity.
The varsity Illiana Crossover brings teams to Midwest Training & Ice Center in Dyer and Kube Sports Complex in Hammond, with Brebeuf Jesuit, Evansville, Central Indiana Knights A, Zionsville and Leo Lions joining the Northwest Indiana programs.
Meanwhile, another major gathering takes place at Henderson Ice Arena, where the Culver Crossover features Penn Gold, Carmel Gold, Homestead, Carroll, Bishop Noll and several other programs.
With teams playing multiple games across three days, the weekend offers plenty of opportunities for programs to build momentum as the Indiana high school hockey season moves deeper into October.
Lake Central Prep has established itself at the top of the Illiana League standings, and the Indians enter the weekend riding a four-game league winning streak.
Through five league games, Lake Central holds a 4-1 record with eight points, scoring 17 goals while allowing just eight.
Its overall form has been equally encouraging.
Last Sunday, Lake Central traveled to South Bend and came away with two victories, shutting out Adams 4–0 before defeating Marian-Riley 5–1.
Nine goals scored. One allowed.
The results continued a strong opening stretch for a program that has combined offensive production with consistent defensive performances.
Now the Indians prepare for four games in three days at the varsity Illiana Crossover.
Lake Central opens Friday against Brebeuf Jesuit before meeting Central Indiana Knights A and Evansville on Saturday. The weekend concludes Sunday against Zionsville.
Saturday's matchup with Evansville stands out.
The Thunder arrive after scoring 14 goals in two games last weekend, including a 10–2 victory over Trinity and a dramatic 4–3 overtime win against Carmel Gold.
Will Rideout led the way against Carmel, scoring three goals, including the winner just eight seconds into overtime.
Lake Central's defense, which has allowed eight goals in five league games, will face an Evansville offense coming off one of its most productive weekends of the season.
The Indians also have an opportunity to continue separating themselves from the rest of the Illiana League field, where Munster Red sits second with five points and Bishop Noll Varsity follows with four.
| Date | Time (CT) | Matchup | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri., Oct. 23 | 7:30 PM | Brebeuf Jesuit at Lake Central | Midwest Training & Ice Center |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 12:20 PM | Central Indiana Knights A at Lake Central | Midwest Training & Ice Center |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 4:10 PM | Evansville at Lake Central | Midwest Training & Ice Center |
| Sun., Oct. 25 | 12:55 PM | Zionsville at Lake Central | Midwest Training & Ice Center |
Crown Point Red has also enjoyed a promising start to the season, entering the crossover with a 1-1-1 league record and three points through three games.
The Bulldogs have scored six goals and allowed six in Illiana League play, with their most recent league result ending in a tie.
While Lake Central has established an early advantage in the standings, Crown Point remains part of a competitive group of teams looking to climb the table.
The Bulldogs have four games scheduled across Saturday and Sunday, all at Midwest Training & Ice Center.
Crown Point opens Saturday afternoon against Brebeuf Jesuit before facing Zionsville that evening. Sunday brings Evansville and Central Indiana Knights A.
The Evansville matchup is particularly intriguing.
The Thunder's offense has been productive, and Rideout's hat trick against Carmel Gold demonstrated how quickly Evansville can change a game.
Crown Point's Saturday night meeting with Zionsville also deserves attention. The Eagles are coming off a 3–3 tie against HSE B and will be looking to find success against Northwest Indiana competition.
For Crown Point, the weekend presents an opportunity to build on its early results and move further into the conversation among the state's competitive varsity programs.
Although the Bulldogs and Lake Central won't face each other during the crossover, both will be playing at Midwest Training & Ice Center against several of the same visiting programs.
| Date | Time (CT) | Matchup | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 2:15 PM | Brebeuf Jesuit at Crown Point Red | Midwest Training & Ice Center |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 8:00 PM | Zionsville at Crown Point Red | Midwest Training & Ice Center |
| Sun., Oct. 25 | 11:00 AM | Evansville at Crown Point Red | Midwest Training & Ice Center |
| Sun., Oct. 25 | 4:40 PM | Central Indiana Knights A at Crown Point Red | Midwest Training & Ice Center |
While Lake Central and Crown Point Red headline the weekend, the rest of the Illiana Crossover field brings plenty of intrigue.
Munster Red enters second in the Illiana League standings with five points through four games, posting a 2-1-1 record. The Mustangs have scored 14 goals but allowed 17 in league competition, making defensive consistency an area to watch.
Munster faces Evansville and Zionsville on Saturday before meeting Central Indiana Knights A and Brebeuf Jesuit on Sunday.
Evansville arrives following its overtime victory over Carmel Gold, highlighted by Rideout's three-goal performance. The Thunder will face Leo Lions, Munster Red, Lake Central and Crown Point Red over three days.
Brebeuf Jesuit opens against Lake Central on Friday before facing Leo Lions and Crown Point Red on Saturday. The Braves conclude their weekend against Munster Red on Sunday.
Central Indiana Knights A faces Lake Central and Leo Lions on Saturday, followed by Munster Red and Crown Point Red on Sunday.
Zionsville also has a busy schedule, meeting Munster Red and Crown Point Red on Saturday before facing Leo Lions and Lake Central on Sunday.
With programs from Central, Southern and Northwest Indiana competing in the same event, the crossover should provide a clearer picture of how teams from different parts of the state compare as the season develops.
| Date | Time (CT) | Matchup | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri., Oct. 23 | 7:15 PM | Evansville at Leo Lions | Kube Sports Complex |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 10:00 AM | Brebeuf Jesuit at Leo Lions | Kube Sports Complex |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 11:45 AM | Evansville at Munster Red | Kube Sports Complex |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 3:15 PM | Zionsville at Munster Red | Kube Sports Complex |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 5:00 PM | Central Indiana Knights A at Leo Lions | Kube Sports Complex |
| Sun., Oct. 25 | 9:00 AM | Zionsville at Leo Lions | Kube Sports Complex |
| Sun., Oct. 25 | 10:45 AM | Central Indiana Knights A at Munster Red | Kube Sports Complex |
| Sun., Oct. 25 | 4:00 PM | Brebeuf Jesuit at Munster Red | Kube Sports Complex |
While Northwest Indiana hosts the varsity Illiana Crossover, another significant gathering of Indiana high school hockey programs takes place at Henderson Ice Arena.
Penn Gold enters the Culver Crossover following a productive stretch that has established the Kingsmen as one of the state's most dangerous offensive teams.
Two weekends ago, Penn scored 29 goals across three victories, defeating Marian-Riley 9–5, Southwest Michigan Blades 10–0 and Bishop Noll 10–2.
Junior forward Jaxon Daigle was central to that production, recording five goals and seven assists during the three-game stretch and earning THE FINAL.'s Player of the Week recognition.
Penn followed that weekend with a 5–1 victory over Adams last Saturday.
Now the Kingsmen prepare for another three-game weekend, beginning Saturday morning against Homestead.
Saturday evening brings a matchup with Carmel Gold before Penn closes the crossover Sunday afternoon against Culver A.
The Carmel game is especially interesting.
The Icehounds enter following a difficult weekend that included a 6–1 loss to HSE A and a 4–3 overtime defeat against Evansville.
Against the Thunder, Carmel held a 3–1 lead in the third period before Evansville rallied, with Rideout scoring the equalizer and overtime winner.
Penn will look to continue its offensive momentum, while Carmel has an opportunity to respond against another team capable of producing goals from multiple players.
Sunday's meeting with Culver A adds another compelling matchup to Penn's weekend.
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 9:15 AM | Homestead at Penn Gold | Henderson Ice Arena |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 7:15 PM | Penn Gold at Carmel Gold | Henderson Ice Arena |
| Sun., Oct. 25 | 1:15 PM | Penn Gold at Culver A | Henderson Ice Arena |
Carmel Gold enters the Culver Crossover looking to turn the page after last weekend's two losses.
The Icehounds face Carroll and Penn Gold on Saturday before meeting Culver B on Sunday.
The Penn matchup could be one of the weekend's more entertaining games, bringing together a Kingsmen offense that has been producing goals in bunches and a Carmel team looking to rebound.
Carroll arrives after a 3–2 victory over Homestead last Saturday.
The Chargers face Carmel Gold and Culver A on Saturday before concluding their weekend against Southwest Michigan Blades on Sunday.
Homestead will also have an opportunity to respond after its loss to Carroll, with games against Penn Gold, Adams and Columbus.
The host programs will have their own busy schedules.
Culver A meets Columbus and Carroll on Saturday before facing Penn Gold on Sunday. Culver B plays Adams and Southwest Michigan Blades on Saturday, then Carmel Gold on Sunday.
Bishop Noll Varsity, currently third in the Illiana League standings with a 2-1 record, also joins the Culver field. The Warriors face Southwest Michigan Blades on Saturday and Adams on Sunday.
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 9:00 AM | Culver B at Adams | Henderson Ice Arena |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 11:00 AM | Culver A at Columbus | Henderson Ice Arena |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 11:15 AM | Bishop Noll Varsity at Southwest Michigan Blades | Henderson Ice Arena |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 1:15 PM | Carmel Gold at Carroll | Henderson Ice Arena |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 3:30 PM | Adams at Homestead | Henderson Ice Arena |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 5:30 PM | Southwest Michigan Blades at Culver B | Henderson Ice Arena |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 7:30 PM | Carroll at Culver A | Henderson Ice Arena |
| Sun., Oct. 25 | 9:00 AM | Bishop Noll Varsity at Adams | Henderson Ice Arena |
| Sun., Oct. 25 | 9:15 AM | Carmel Gold at Culver B | Henderson Ice Arena |
| Sun., Oct. 25 | 11:15 AM | Homestead at Columbus | Henderson Ice Arena |
| Sun., Oct. 25 | 1:00 PM | Southwest Michigan Blades at Carroll | Henderson Ice Arena |
Beyond the two varsity crossovers, several other games are scheduled across the state.
Bishop Noll Blue JV travels to Fishers on Friday to face Central Indiana Knights B JV before playing Westfield JV and Carmel Blue JV on Saturday.
Noll enters after a dominant performance at last weekend's Illiana JV Crossover, where Hayden Harding recorded five goals and seven assists.
South Stars White JV visits Columbus JV on Friday evening, while Bloomington hosts Indy Fuel 16U AA for two games Saturday at Frank Southern Ice Arena.
In Fort Wayne, Marian-Riley faces the Vipers twice Saturday at PSM Icehouse, while Angola Hockey JV meets Renegades JV later that evening.
Sunday also brings Mount Carmel to St. Joe at Compton Family Ice Arena in South Bend.
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri., Oct. 23 | 8:00 PM | Bishop Noll Blue JV at Central Indiana Knights B JV | Fuel Tank at Fishers |
| Fri., Oct. 23 | 9:15 PM | South Stars White JV at Columbus JV | Hamilton Community Center & Ice Arena |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 10:00 AM | Marian-Riley at Vipers | PSM Icehouse |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 3:00 PM | Marian-Riley at Vipers | PSM Icehouse |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 4:30 PM | Indy Fuel 16U AA at Bloomington | Frank Southern Ice Arena |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 6:00 PM | Bishop Noll Blue JV at Westfield JV | Carmel Ice Skadium |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 6:40 PM | Angola Hockey JV at Renegades JV | PSM Icehouse |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 7:30 PM | Indy Fuel 16U AA at Bloomington | Frank Southern Ice Arena |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | 10:25 PM | Bishop Noll Blue JV at Carmel Blue JV | Carmel Ice Skadium |
| Sun., Oct. 25 | 3:15 PM | Mount Carmel at St. Joe | Compton Family Ice Arena |
All times are listed in the venue's local time zone. Schedules are subject to change.