USU hockey to host Beehive Showcase this weekend
The Utah State club hockey team will host the Beehive Grill Showcase this weekend, a tournament involving USU, the University of Utah, Boise State University, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and San Jose State University.
The Aggies are excited to play this tournament in Logan.
“It’s an honor to host it at home,” said Aggie captain Brian Gibbons. “We’ve got the best fans definitely in the American Collegiate Hockey Association. Every night it’s sold out.”
At this point in the season, the Aggies will have no problem physically playing three games in three nights. However, there is a mental aspect to the tournament as well.
“I try to just get my mind focused in on what we have to do this weekend and how to play against those teams and make sure I’m doing my job,” said forward Chris Videto.
Even though the University of Utah is involved in the tournament, the Aggies won’t get a chance at redemption this week after USU’s 6-2 loss earlier this season. Instead, they will play Boise State, UNLV and SJSU.
Boise State is having an average season so far: They are in 11th place in points. However, in the rankings, which takes strength of schedule into consideration, they were ranked 17th in the West in the last poll.
The Broncos and the Aggies share two common opponents in Weber State and BYU. While the Aggies defeated WSU handily and shut out BYU twice, the Broncos barely squeaked by the Cougars twice and lost 8-1 to Weber State.
Individually, of players who have played five games or more, BSU has only two players who are scoring a point-per-game pace while USU has seven.
As a team, Utah State has scored 12 more goals on the season than BSU while playing two less games.
The Rebels of UNLV have played six games this year. One thing that stands out with the Rebels is their ability to put the puck in the net.
UNLV has 38 goals with a season-high 12 goals coming against California State University, Northridge. On the other hand, they’ve also allowed 31 goals, so the team defense may still be working things out because it’s still early in their season.
Lastly, the Aggies will face San Jose State in what could be the biggest game of the tournament. The Spartans are ranked just below the Aggies and are looking for a big win.
“I’m most excited to play San Jose because they’re ranked number two in the western side behind us,” said forward Cooper Limb. “It’ll be a good game. It’s always fun to play those top rivals.”
The Aggies also remember how the Spartans played last year.
“I’d say San Jose State would be our toughest match because they gave us a good game last year and they had a pretty good run in regionals last year too,” Gibbons said.
The Spartans beat the University of Utah earlier this year and the U of U is the only team to beat the Aggies. However, the Spartans were beat by Denver, a team the Aggies beat on the road this season. This game might be the most evenly-matched game in the tournament for the Aggies.
Utah State will play Boise State this Thursday, UNLV on Friday and San Jose State on Saturday at the George S. Eccles Ice Center. All Utah State games are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. If fans come early, they can catch other teams playing at 4 p.m. and stay to watch the Aggies play later, getting two games for the price of one.
– sean.osullivan@aggiemail.usu.edu
Twitter: @seansy89