USU earns big win over Montana Tech
Fresh off a huge weekend, the Utah State hockey team returned home for a matchup with the Montana Tech University Orediggers Friday night.
A late effort in the second and third periods helped the Aggies to a 12-4 victory over Montana Tech.
Forward Tyler Mistelbacher continued a strong season for the Aggies, racking up five goals and an assist for Utah State.
Mistelbacher is having a break-out season. The junior, who is currently sitting second on the Aggies’ stat sheet, has recorded 25 points on 14 goals and 11 assists.
“He’s been working hard this year,” said head coach Jon Eccles. “It’s been a different Mistel on the ice.”
Eccles said Mistelbacher, who thrives in high caliber situations, struggles in matchups like Friday night’s blowout.
“Sometimes he has a hard time because he likes playing those top-tiered teams. He’s very aggressive,” Eccles said. “Sometimes there’s not as much enthusiasm.”
Mistelbacher’s effort wasn’t alone. Six Aggie skaters scored on the night, including forwards Joel Basson and Brian Gibbons, who each added two goals to the final score.
After a scoreless first period, the Aggies jumped to an early 7-1 lead in the second and added a five-goal cushion in the third.
The Aggies battled penalties in the first period, something they’ve been struggling with all season. Utah State served a total of 15 penalty minutes making the penalty kills even more important.
USU struggled early trying to make offensive production.
“We did kind of start out a little sluggish,” Eccles said. “We got our heads out of it and focused on the game.”
The teams went into the locker rooms during first intermission with a 0-0 tie.
“(Assistant coach) Kent (Arsenault) and I were as forceful as we could be, but we still emphasized the positives,” Eccles said. “We tried to snap them back into the game.”
After a penalty-filled first, both teams reigned in their play. The Aggies were only caught on one penalty in the period.
“We responded really well in the second period,” Eccles said. “We had a lot of good production, and we only had one penalty versus all the penalties we had earlier. They really got focused and started doing the things we wanted to.”
The Aggie offense hit a groove as the forwards combined for seven goals in the period. USU Center Billy Gouthro took a well-placed pass from Basson and one-timed it past Oredigger goalie James Adamo, for the Aggies’ first goal of the night. Aggie converted forward Jeff Sanders, Basson and Gibbons each added a goal while Mistelbacher notched a hat-trick, with all three goals in the period.
The Orediggers’ only goal on the period came off the stick of center Mark Nelson, who found a fast break opportunity against Aggie goalkeeper Cody Palmer. The Aggie defense put in a big effort but was unable to get back for the stop.
Utah State fell into bad blood in the third period when 40 minutes of frustration came to a head.
“It was a very dirty team, I felt,” Eccles said. “That doesn’t help, because guys retaliate when they feel like they’ve been wronged.”
Four game misconducts, including three to Aggie players, headlined a chippy period.
Utah State added five more goals but allowed three to the Orediggers. Salt Lake native Cooper Limb scored for the Aggies while Basson and Gibbons each tacked on their second goals of the night. Mistelbacher completed his five-goal night with two goals in the period.
Palmer had 15 saves in his second win of the season.
The Aggies remain at home to face off against the University of Montana Oct. 21.
– meredith.kinney@aggiemail.usu.edu