Utah State Hockey Club goes 1-2 during first home games of the season

The Utah State University Hockey Club held its first home tournament from Oct. 1-3, facing teams such as the University of Montana, Montana State University, and the University of Providence. The tournament was held over a span of three days. While these were not the Aggies’ first games of the season, this tournament marked the start of their home schedule. The Aggies will continue their season into February, with their last home game on Feb. 12, 2027.   

The Aggies’ three-day tournament started off on a high note with a win of 7-0 against the University of Montana Grizzlies. However, in the two following games of the tournament, the Aggies lost 4-3 against the Montana State University Bobcats and 3-2 against the Providence University Argos. Both games ended in overtime, where the Aggies just couldn’t seem to get the upper hand. 

On Oct.1, the Aggies battled against the Grizzlies. The first period consisted of an opening goal scored by forward Jack Wallace, followed by a second goal scored by forward Carter Amidon, with an assist from defenseman Jack Lafontaine. 

In the second period, forward Xander Logan assisted defenseman Easton Lower’s rebound, which brought the score to 3-0.  

The third period became more physical. However, despite the antics, three more goals were scored by Lower, defenseman Braedyn Mooney and Amidon. After several calls of holding and roughing, Mooney was ejected from the game. 

The final goal of Thursday’s game was a rebound hit out of midair by forward DJ Freigang. This shot was scored within the last couple seconds of the game and resulted in the Aggies’ win of 7-0.  

Fans of all types came to support the first few days of the tournament, including two fans who sported both Montana and Utah State face paint in the stands.  

Ky Seamons served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints near the University of Montana and is now a student at USU, which was her reason for supporting both teams on Friday night. Lizz Hardy, a member of the community, joined Seamons in representing both Montana and Utah. 

“Hockey has such a good community,” Hardy said. “I wasn’t necessarily afraid to rep the other school. I know no matter which team I’m going to rep, it’s going to be awesome. People are going to be nice.” 

On Friday, Oct. 2, the Aggies held off the Bobcats in the first period but also failed to score any goals of their own. Both teams entered the first intermission with zeros across the board.  

Eventually, the Aggies fell behind at the end of the second period with a score of 0-3. 

By the end of the third period, the Aggies brought the game back to a tie with three goals scored by forward Jackson Ferry, Lafontaine and Amidon.  

The Bobcats scored the final shot during overtime, which resulted in a final score of 4-3 in favor of the Bobcats.  

Crosby Taylor, a USU freshman who watches hockey any chance she can get, attended both Thursday and Friday’s home games, as well as the team’s previous away game at Weber State University.  

“I’ve been a hockey fan my whole life,” Taylor said. “I grew up around it. I’m even named after an NHL player.”  

Taylor noticed a difference in the team’s defense on Friday night. She mentioned that Thursday’s game seemed to be more focused on defense while Friday’s more offensive plays just weren’t delivering the same results.   

“Our defense played really well yesterday,” Taylor said. “I’m not seeing that today.”  

Taylor’s experiences with the hockey team have been positive so far, and she expressed her hopes for the future season, particularly for a more powerful defense and strategic use of power plays.  

On Saturday, Oct. 3, the Aggies faced off with the Argos for the final game of the weekend. Similar to Friday night’s game, the Aggies and the Argos ended the first period with a score of 0-0.  

However, in the second period, the Argos took the lead with two goals. During a power play, the Aggies scored their first goal of the night — scored by Wallace, assisted by Ferry. This started the momentum for Ferry to make the second goal, which tied the game 2-2. 

Each team attempted to break the tie during overtime in the 3-on-3. Neither team scored and the game moved into a shootout. 

Luke Anderson took the first goal for the Aggies followed by Lafontaine. Next up was Ferry, and his low shot was saved by the Argos’ goalie. This led to the Argos taking the last goal, winning the game and the resulting score of 3-2.  

According to the 2026-2027 roster, the current team consists of 16 players who are beginning their first season at USU: 14 freshmen and two transfers.  

Spectator Taylee Naylor is a junior at USU and formerly played lacrosse for the Utah State women’s club team. Naylor acknowledged the difficulty that comes with being part of a team full of new players.  

“It’s harder going into a season as a freshman or transfer student because the sophomores to seniors that have already been there already have that connection,” Naylor said. “As the season goes on, I hope that they get more confidence, and as a team, they get more united.”