Undefeated USU hockey hosts Sun Devils
Some students may not know it, but the Utah State club hockey team is off to a 6-0 start, winning six straight road games against tough competition.
The Aggies opened the year playing two games against a recharged Weber State team, which is currently sitting in third place in its division. The only two teams ahead of the Wildcats are the undefeated Aggies in second and Dallas Baptist University in first.
Weber State’s explosive offense has outscored their opponents by 15 goals so far this year. However, USU won the two games by a combined score of 7-2.
The Aggies then went on a three-game road trip to Colorado to play Denver University, Colorado State University and Colorado University in three straight nights. These three historically-tough teams were each handed a loss at the hands of the Aggies – the only other time in school history when USU went into Colorado and beat all three teams was last year.
“To go 3-0 was a huge confidence boost for us,” said head coach Jon Eccles.
The game against Colorado State especially stood out to Eccles.
“That was probably our best game of the year,” Eccles said. “We really just had 60 minutes of all around, hard-working hockey.”
Utah State ended their road swing with a 9-0 thumping of BYU, even though a few of the Aggies’ key players sat out of the game.
The Aggies had a few new names who contributed at a high level during the road trip, with forward Chris Videto leading the way. He had five goals in five games for the Aggies.
“Chris Videto did a great job,” said senior forward Matt Hamilton. “His net presence is the best I’ve seen in four years since being here. He definitely stepped it up.”
Battling through the first six games was key for the Aggies, and they are now able to enjoy five straight home games.
“We won those six games,” said captain Brian Gibbons. “We played really well all six games. I think it’s a big momentum builder going into this weekend.”
The two games this week are pivotal. The Aggies will face the only team to beat them in the regular season last year: Arizona State University.
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“ASU was our first and only loss last year in the regular season, and for the guys returning it’s kind of left a bad taste in the mouth, so it’s pretty big,” Gibbons said.
The games should be very physical with a lot of hitting and strong defensive play.
“I think they’re kind of similar to us – they’re a hard working team,” Gibbons said. “They have a few skill guys, and they like to throw the body around a bit. But I think that we’re ready to go. I think we’re going into the weekend with confidence, and we’re going to play well this weekend.”
Aggie fans can be sure the team will be coming out Thursday night with a lot of fire. The sense of revenge mixed with the enthusiasm of the home crowd should make for an entertaining game.
The Aggies will face Arizona State University Thursday and Friday night at the George S. Eccles Ice Center in North Logan. Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm. Cost of admission is $4 for Thursday and $5 for Friday.
“It’s going to be amazing,” Hamilton said. “Home crowds here are the best in the west, probably the best in the entire league. The fans are what make our team so good. Hopefully the roof blows off tomorrow.”
– sean.osullivan@aggiemail.usu.edu
Twitter: @Seansy89