Hockey splits with BYU, Utah over weekend
The last time the USU men’s hockey club played Provo (Brigham Young University) as part of a home-and-away doubleheader, the Aggies beat the Ice Cats in the first game, but lost the second game to San Jose State University.
This weekend’s results were no different as the Aggies left Provo with a 9-5 victory over the Ice Cats Friday before succumbing to the University of Utah, 6-3, Saturday night at the Weber County Ice Sheet.
USU 9, Provo 5
It wasn’t the prettiest game in the world, but was a victory nonetheless, said USU head coach Jerry Crossley.
Despite a slow start, the Aggies used a strong third period and hat tricks by Deryk Anderson and Tony Haughey to put away the Ice Cats.
“We were a little bit sloppy in the first and second periods,” Crossley said. “Then, in the third period, the guys buckled down and scored a bunch of goals.”
Both Anderson and Haughey finished the game with four goals each. Forward Chad Linville scored the other goal for the Aggies.
Utah 6, USU 3
In a closely contested game, it generally comes down to which team can catch those few more breaks and capitalize on those few more scoring chances.
The Utes scored two goals late in the third period, while the Aggies saw three shots hit the post as the Utes escaped Odgen with a 6-3 victory Saturday night at the Ice Sheet.
“We had good scoring chances, they just didn’t go in,” Crossley said. “Overall, the guys played a good game.”
With the Utes clinging to a 4-3 lead with eight minutes left, Taras Turko and Andy Van Wagner each scored within a four minute span to put the game out of reach. Turko’s goal was especially devastating for the Aggies, who had cut the deficit to 4-3 two minutes earlier on an Aaron Sutliff goal.
Turko’s goal marked the second time in the game Utah was able to kill USU’s momentum by quickly countering an Aggie goal with a goal of its own.
The first instance might have been even more costly than the second.
With the Utes leading 2-0 mid-way through first period, Haughey launched a screamer past former Aggie goalie Eric Moldenhauer to cut the lead in half.
However, the Utes had an answer in the form of Nick White and Lucas Mead. Less than 30 seconds after Haughey’s goal, Mead found White in traffic on a well-placed pass from behind the Aggie goal.
The Utes benefited from sharp passing once again when Chad Richardson found Turko on a two-on-one fast break to take a 4-1 lead into the second period.
“We were just letting them walk in uncontested,” said defenseman Colby Thurston. “We weren’t stepping to the puck like we should have.”
USU responded.
Playing like a team ahead by three goals, the Aggies applied pressure on the Utes early and often. As a result, the tone of the game turned into a physical battle (the teams would combine for 31 penalties).
On two occasions in the second period the Aggies had a two-man advantage. USU took advantage.
Following near-misses by Anderson, Aaron Burrell and Haughey, the Aggies scored on a rebound shot by Burrell to cut the lead to 4-2.
“I think we were able to really battle back in the second period and regain a little momentum,” Thurston said.
USU started the third period where it left off as Burrell and Haughey – who had another shot hit the post later in the period – put themselves in position for a high-quality shot, but were denied by the post.
Unfortunately for the Aggies, the Utes were able to take advantage of a couple of Aggie penalties and ultimately seize the momentum for good on Turko’s goal.
“The problem we were running into in the third period was the penalty box,” Crossley said. “We, as a team, need to keep five guys on the ice. That’s when we’re effective.”
Despite the loss, Crossley said he was happy the team didn’t concede the game after being down 4-1. The Aggies went on to outshoot the Utes 41-36.
Jeff Whiting was Saturday’s winner in the “Wildest Fan” contest. The winner, announced after the second period in each home game, is awarded a free T-shirt.
USU will play Weber State University in a home-and-home series this Friday and Saturday.