The U hockey team continues to get frustratingly close to winning games. On Friday, the Utes lost another close one — this time to BYU by a final tally of 5-3. A narrow win over Metro State remains the Utes’ sole victory of the year.
Shots were even in the first period, U head coach Bob Wilkinson said, but BYU managed to get the puck past Ute goalkeeper Nick Cogswell to put the IceCats up 1-0.
The Utes fell behind 4-0 in the second period after being outshot. Despite the margin, “we never let their taillights get out of sight,” Wilkinson said. “We never let them disappear.”
The second period ended with the IceCats up 4-2. Utah and BYU were evenly matched in the third period as Utah fell by just two goals.
Eric Rees, Kevin Johnston and Cole Fisher scored a goal apiece for Utah.
“The game could’ve gone either way,” Wilkinson said. “It was probably the best game (the Utes have) played all year. We’re peaking.”
“Nick Cogswell played a super game,” Wilkinson said of his goalkeeper, who had 49 saves. “The opposing coach said it was the finest goalkeeping he has seen all year.”
The Utes have two games left on their schedule — a rematch against the IceCats and their season finale against Utah State, one of the strongest teams in the region.
The Utes opened the year with a 20-0 loss to Utah State. “How we play against Utah State at home will give us a showing of how much we’ve improved over the year,” Wilkinson said.
Ariana Torrey