Late goal lifts Weber over Utah State

Weber State’s three goals in the final period spoiled Utah State hockey’s home opener Saturday, as the Aggies lost a tense matchup 5-4.

The loss dropped USU’s record to 4-3. However. an upcoming stretch of five straight home games has first-year Aggie Chris Cutshaw feeling optimistic.

“We’re kind of a new team,” Cutshaw said. “The positive thing we’re seeing so far is we’re coming together well. Tonight I thought we played well as a team, especially down in their zone. An outcome’s an outcome.”

That outcome served as a revenge game for the Wildcats, who had previously lost to USU 3-6 in the first game of the year.

Through the game’s first two periods, the Aggies held a slight 3-2 edge over the Wildcats. A frantic third period began with Weber tying the game up at 3-3 with nine minutes still to play. Less than a minute later, the Wildcats struck again to take their first lead of the game.

Utah State responded quickly, erasing Weber’s lead and tying the game at 4-4 with six minutes remaining. A relatively clean game saw several penalties over the final minutes, but it was the Wildcats that made it count on the scoreboard. Weber shoveled in what would prove to be the game-winning goal with three minutes remaining, and despite several clean shots in front of the net the Aggies were unable to force overtime.

The loss stung enough to drive the Aggies into their locker room for over 30 minutes afterward, but Cutshall and his teammates took solace in knowing their shot at redemption is less than two weeks away — the Aggies will again welcome Weber to the friendly confines of the Eccles Ice Center on Friday, Oct. 30.

“Fight for the inch,” Cutshall said. “That’s the biggest deal you know, who’s willing to fight for the last inch? I think we just kind of hesitated a little bit. Next weekend we’re going to have to fight a little more.”

— logantjones@aggiemail.usu.edu

Twitter: @logantj

Link to gallery:

https://usustatesman.com/gallery/usu-hockey-vs-weber-state/