Almost every kid can remember playing street hockey in front of their house with a tennis ball for a puck and a garbage can for a goal. The games were usually lighthearted, lasting until sunset when it was time for dinner.

But for the members of the roller hockey club, the sport has become much more than just friendly, after-school competition.

Last weekend, while the Michigan ice hockey team was playing for a chance at the national title in St. Paul, Minn., the roller hockey team was playing for a national title of its own in St. Louis at the site of the fourth annual Collegiate Roller Hockey League National Championship Tournament. The team made a name for itself, advancing to the final four where it faced Lindenwood, which is the only roller hockey team in the nation with scholarship players.

But the eventual national champions managed to stop Michigan, defeating the Wolverines 10-2 and then beating Michigan State 6-4 in the championship. This was the best Michigan had ever done in the tournament, after losing in the round of 16 the past two years.

Senior Eric Aho, the club president, finished ninth overall in points in Division I of the CRHL. Aho was pleased with the success of his team, saying that he hopes an accomplishment like this will help the club receive more funding from the school and eventually receive varsity status.

"My ultimate goal is to help the team become a varsity sport," Aho said. "Other schools receive a significant amount of budgeting for their teams, and we need the same thing. But even now, we are competitive with them."

Aho grew up playing ice hockey, and still does. He began playing roller hockey toward the end of high school.

"I found out about the Michigan (roller hockey) team before I got here," Aho said. "I joined as a freshman because I thought I could make an impact."

Aho said that four years ago, the team was competitive, but its main problem was recruiting. But by making a few appearances at Festifall, Aho has helped to build up the program. The team currently consists of 28 players divided into two squads.

Players will all kinds of hockey experience skate for Michigan.

"We have guys who are former ice hockey players, guys who still play ice hockey and even guys who are strictly roller hockey players," Aho said.

Roller hockey differs from ice hockey in that it plays a little faster and that it's higher scoring. But Aho believes that the two are very similar.

"It's just like ice hockey, but you're playing on tile rather than on ice."

Off the tile, the players are not only the best of friends, but they take time to coach youth teams and work with younger players.

"We do a lot of good volunteer work," Aho said. "Guys run clinics and power-skating teams. We have a lot of fun."