Aggies rally late to graze past the Utes
”We’re feeling well rested, and more prepared. It looks like Utah has a little more size this season, but we just have to play our game,” said Trace Farr USU defenseman leading up to the game following a tough loss to the Montana State Bobcats.
USU hockey took on the U of U at the George S. Eccles Ice Arena last night for the first time this season. It wasn’t until the third period when Aggie forwards Jackson Ferry and Dillon Hale scored to seal the final scoreline of 2-0.
For the better part of the first period, the Aggies had control of the puck and tempo. They managed to produce meaningful chances on the net from Ferry, defenseman Brandon Woolcot and forward Zach Pires. But Ute goaltender Jack Nowicki was able to protect the goal from the stampeding Aggies.
The Utes had a good chance when forward Ryan Wirth took a strong shot on the net that required a reactionary save from goaltender Titan Anderson. The rebound found its way to the stick of forward Max Hove who redirected the puck on net, but the save was made again by Anderson.
The scoreline would remain 0-0 going into the first intermission.
“I felt that we were a little slow this first period,” forward Sean Johnston said during the intermission. “The boys and I are going to have to tighten it up.”
“We just need to bear down our chances and keep putting it on the net,” forward Zach Pires added.
The momentum shifted in favor of the Utes in the second period. The quick skating of the Utes sparked a flurry of chances that threatened Anderson and the Aggies.
At the 13:58 mark, the Utes were awarded a penalty shot after Farr extended his stick in to poke the puck away, but instead, he tripped forward Ezekiel Endy who was on the breakaway opportunity. Endy took the penalty shot against Anderson who saw the puck the whole way and saved the attempt.
Anderson would make another save less than a minute later against Ute defenseman Donovan O’Shea, the puck then rebounded to forward Max Fene who took another shot, and Anderson was able to make the save once again.
The scoreline would remain 0-0 going into the final intermission.
The Utes would continue their momentum early into the third period with two quick attempts from forward Keegan Torrey and Cole Sheridan. Each was saved by Anderson.
The Aggies finally scored the opening goal of the game after a cutting pass from USU forward Dillon Hale found Ferry drifting alone across the crease. Ferry tapped in the goal to give USU the 1-0 advantage with just over 17 minutes to play.
The Utes almost responded after a tap-in goal by Endy was called back for goaltender interference on Anderson preventing him from making an attempt on the puck.
The momentum shifted in USU’s favor as the speed of forward Mason Mulneaux opened up multiple attempts for defenseman Brogan Young and Woolcot.
O’Shea took a long shot that deflected off of the skate of Endy momentarily getting past Anderson, but defenseman Brogan Young was in a good position to prevent an equalizing goal.
With 10 minutes to play, Pires notched up two more fast attempts that were defended by the Uts after a solo effort from Young was saved by Nowicki.
With just over 3 minutes to play, a double penalty was called on USU captain Ben Cadrlson for a cross-check, and Utah’s Hove for slashing.
The Utes took advantage of the four-on-four play by taking Nowicki out of the net in favor of an extra offensive skater.
Utah’s Malakai Lynch redirected a rebounded shot from Fene, but the shot was saved by Anderson.
Endy took a shot from a shallow angle off to the left of Anderson, but Young was able to retrieve the puck and clear the lines.
The offsetting penalties ended with 1:20 left to play. The Utes elected to keep their man advantage and kept Nowicki out of the game.
Garrett Jackson took a shot in front of Anderson, but it was blocked by the body of Young.
Immediately after, Pires was able to gain momentary control of the puck in front of his own net, he then chip-shot the puck across the length of the ice and scored the Aggies’ second goal, sealing the win for USU.
“It’s just survival mode, after we got one I knew that it was going to be a low-scoring game and I had to be a wall back there,” Anderson said.
“We definitely had a slow start, and it almost bit us in the butt,” Carlson said. “But we rebounded and Titan played a heck of a game and won the game for us.”
Carlson added that the key to winning their next game is having a hot start and finding the energy early on in the game.
USU will take on Utah again on Saturday in Salt Lake City at the Salt Lake City Sports Complex.
The Beehive showcase will also be held next week at the Eccles Ice Arena. USU will have the task of taking on Loyola Marymount, Northern Arizona, Arizona State and Providence. All in the span of an extended weekend, the first game will be Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
“We are absolutely ready for the challenge and excited,” Anderson said. There’s a little bit of bad blood between us and ASU, so it’ll be a fun weekend for sure.”