The Utah hockey team is coming off a bye week that could not have come at a better time. The Skatin’ Utes have spent the time off to focus on preparing for their upcoming home game against Utah State at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The Aggies have established themselves as one of the best club hockey programs in the West. They are second in the western region of the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II National Tournament. Utah State has outscored its opponents by a staggering 103-37, a margin second only to the University of Kentucky in Division II.
Utah State’s exemplary play has commanded the respect of the Skatin’ Utes, who lost 10-2 in the teams’ first meeting.
“They’re just a fast team,” said defenseman Charles German. “They’re one of the top teams with more talent. We’re trying to build up to that kind of talent.”
German’s opinion was reinforced by head coach Jon Bertagnolli. “They’re just a good team, flat out plain and simple,” he said. “They’re real talented…they run a good program up there (in Logan).”
Although Utah State has garnered the esteem of the Utes, Utah players said they can still give the Aggies a good game.
“The second period of our last game was indicative of what we can do,” said goalie AJ Boldan. In that period, Utah matched Utah State’s scoring, with each club netting two goals.
Boldan said what hurt Utah most in its previous meeting with the Aggies was its own blunders.
“Our defensive mistakes contributed to four short-handed goals and probably another two even-strength goals,” said Boldan. “We eliminate those mistakes, that was a 4-2 game.”
The game can be equated to a David-and-Goliath battle, with defense being Utah’s stone of choice.
“If we get the defensive part down, then the offense shouldn’t be too bad,” said forward Ian McKelvie.
A pressing issue for the Utah defense is containing Utah State’s Brendan MacDonald and Dave Wyman. Both have contributed 39 points in 12 games this season, tying them for sixth in ACHA Division II. Their 78 combined points places them second among all duos.
Regarding the attempt to stop the stellar duo, Bertagnolli said, “We play them at home so we will get the last-line change, so we can match up against them if we choose to.”
However, Bertagnolli said if the team stuck with its defensive-zone system, it would not have to make adjustments to accommodate MacDonald and Wyman. He said the best way for Utah to offset the difference in talent was to stick to the framework of its offensive and defensive sets.
Boldan related Utah’s trust in its systems to a rock climber.
“Climbers have to trust in their equipment,” he said. “Our system is our equipment…we are going to stick to our guns, stick to our system, and give them hell.”
