Aggies cool down Wildcats
Fans and participants were anxious Friday night as the puck dropped between top rivals USU and the Weber State Wildcats. However, any apprehensions about the game against Weber were put to rest after the Aggies triumphed with an 8-5 victory.
The Wildcats scored the first goal of the game setting the tone for the first period, but the Aggies were able to stay focused, seeing success in the end.
Left wing Brendan MacDonald said, “We started out slow but we kept our composure. I feel like we played a great game.”
Goalie Greg Finatti agreed.
“I feel like we didn’t play that bad, we had a slow start but we stepped it up,” he said. “We came out slow, but then we got the lead, realized what we needed to do to keep going and we did.”
And the Aggies did keep going, coming from behind to tie the game, 3-3, at the end of the first period.
During period two, the Aggies took a 5-4 lead, despite the Wildcats best efforts to prevent any movement of the puck past their solid defensive line.
“I think it was a great test for the team to start off the year this way. We were down earlier but we fought back in battle,” captain Kent Arsenault said.
With Weber being one of USU’s biggest rivals, it was no wonder the battle led to the penalty box being occupied for almost the duration of the game.
MacDonald, who spent a total of six minutes in the penalty box said, “There were a lot of frustrating penalties. At the first of the season the calls are always tighter and it’s frustrating, but we’re dealing with it. We just have to keep going and play hard.”
Perhaps the highlight of the game happened in the third period when center Billy Gouthro scored, but the point wasn’t legitimate. Shortly afterwards all hell broke loose, with both teams losing six players each to the penalty box for fighting. Some attribution was given to newcomer Mike Daugulis.
“Daugulis is a beauty, he’s awesome. At 215 pounds, he’s a big boy who’s willing to hit,” Arsenault said.
The game was a solid effort by the team, Aresnault said, but he didn’t agree on all calls made.
“There were definitely some calls that shouldn’t have been made,” he said. “I feel like the ref tried to take control of the game and it wasn’t a good game on the ref’s behalf, but I feel it was a great game and we played well as a team.”
In a last attempt to score, Weber substituted their goalie for an extra player, leaving their net open and unprotected. The move contributed to Aresnault’s goal in the last 30 seconds of the game, earning him a hat trick and obvious admiration from the fans.
“We definitely have things to work on, but we’ll just have to wait to see how the chemistry comes together,” Aresnault said.
Finatti agreed.
“I think everything’s working out with the new players. With half the team being new everybody is meshing pretty well,” he said. “We knew we would have to play a good game against these guys, and we actually did.”
Saturday night’s game, also against Weber and played in Wildcat territory, was just as rewarding with the Aggies winning 6-2.
Team manager John Eccles said the team played great.
“The team is in a high tempo,” he said. “They played with a real purpose and sense of urgency.”
Eccles said the team started out flat again, but then they got into the rhythm much more quickly than they had the night before.
“The atmosphere was pretty much the same as Friday night, pretty scrappy, but we played a lot better Saturday night than we did Friday,” Arsenault said.
Saturday night’s players were the same as Friday night, excluding goalie Greg Finatti, who was out with an injury. Instead, Dan Cornelius was in the net and had 23 saves on 25 shots.
Michael Daugilus was again glorified for his fearless hitting tactics, and was said to be crushing people out on the ice.
“The lines are really starting to click and fit with each other nicely, and there are better puck movements on the ice,” Eccles said
Eccles also had some good things to say about Arsenault.
“He has really set the example out there on the ice, checking behind his shoulder and blocking shots. He is a real team leader,” he said.
Eccles also added that he was really pleased with the camaraderie in the locker room, and how the new players are gelling with each other.
“We’re still a little ways away from reaching our full potential, but we’re right on track,” he said.
The Aggies compete with UVU Friday in Orem and BYU Saturday at the George S. Eccles ice sheet. Both games begin at 7 p.m.
“They will be a couple of good games, but we are definitely ready for both,” Arsenault said about next week’s games.