Hockey club wins OT thriller
PROVO – The Utah State hockey club opened the second half of their season the right way Saturday night – with a win.
The Aggies needed overtime, but behind a game-winning goal from forward Mike Lewandowski, were able to defeat the BYU Ice Cats, 4-3, in front of a sold-out crowd at the Peaks Ice Arena.
Through the first two periods, Utah State dominated the Ice Cats, taking a 2-0 lead into the second intermission and having out-shot BYU 48-16.
BYU came out strong early in the third period, however, getting its first goal of the game 43 seconds into the period from forward Jimmy Burkart. After that, the Aggies were unable to find the back of the net, with the Ice Cats scoring twice in a one-minute span halfway through the third.
It wasn’t until three minutes were left in regulation that Nick Thiros scored for the Aggies, tying the game up and allowing overtime, where Lewandowski won the game.
“I don’t know if we let down [in the third period],” Lewandowski said. “We had some bad bounces out there and they capitalized.”
Lewandowski’s game-winner was his second game-winning goal of the season.
“It’s so much fun [scoring the final goal], but when it’s in overtime like that, you don’t care who scores,” he said. “Anybody on your team, it doesn’t matter.”
For the game, the Aggies had 67 shots on goal, compared to just 23 shots for BYU.
“We kind of dominated the game in most areas other than just a few minutes there in the third,” said USU Head Coach Jerry Crossley. “For a few minutes we panicked.”
BYU was able to capitalize when they controlled the puck, but with the Aggies controlling the game on their end of the ice most of the game, shot opportunities were few and far between for the Ice Cats.
“That’s how you counter not having as good a defense, you shoot the hell out of the puck,” Lewandowski said.
Having not played since Dec. 13, there was some rust for the Aggies, some team members said.
“Everyone was a little rusty,” said goalie Chris Webber. “We were all looking a little slow in practice.”
Crossley said although he was impressed with the team’s play Saturday, the team did have a hard time getting back into the groove of practicing and preparing for game play.
“It’s just too long a break, in my opinion, from a coaching perspective,” Crossley said.
The Aggies now turn their attention to a four-game homestand, with three games in a row next weekend. USU will face Weber State’s Division II team on Thursday and Boise State on Friday and Saturday. The Aggies are 4-0 against the D-II Wildcats this season.
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