USU hockey falls at home

The Utah State hockey team came home to the George S. Eccles Ice Center Saturday against the University of Utah and lost for the first time at home this season falling 2-1 to the Utes. Utah State wore blue camouflage jerseys in honor of military night.

Sophomore forward Josh Dangel got the first penalty of the game for the Utes 3:54 into the first period, giving the Aggies a two-minute power play. Utah State forward Lane Styers scored the first goal of the game 56 seconds into the power play, giving his team an early 1-0 lead. At the end of the period the Utes had 13 shots on goal and the Aggies had 12.

Utah State started the second period with 1:28 left on a power play, but were unable to get another goal. At 6:59 into the second period, Aggie Andrew Latham was sent to penalty box for tripping, giving the Utes a one-man advantage. Although the Utes were up a player, they were still unable to get on the score board.

With 5:28 left in the period, Utah defender Nick Johnson and USU’s Chris Videto were both sent to the penalty box for two minutes. During four-on-four play Ute defenseman Eric Gausseres scored, creating a tied game.

“We played a good game the first two periods but then we sat back and got complacent,” said Josh Kerkvliet, center for Utah State. “We got away from our game plan and let them dictate the level of play.”

The third period consisted of eight different penalties. The first one was on the Aggies 1:34 into the period leaving USU to kill off a penalty. They were able to hold the Utes, leaving the score at 1-1.

Two minutes later, University of Utah and Utah State were both called for penalties, leaving both teams with four men on the ice. The Aggies were given another one-man advantage at 15:35 in the period but came up short again.

Captain Shaymus Bertagnolli scored the second goal for the Utes at 10:24 on a power play after Mike Trimboli was sent to the penalty box. The Aggies were able to hold the Utes during two more penalty kills during the third period.

With 36 seconds left in the third period, USU pulled their goalie in a final attempt to score another goal. The Aggies were unsuccessful, leaving the final score a 2-1 Ute win.

USU hockey will be home again on Friday night against Weber State. The following week The Aggies will have four home games during the Beehive Showcase.

“Tonight was a tough loss, but we are excited to be back playing at home for a couple of weeks,” Kerkvliet said.

For our gallery of the game click here