Shorthanded hockey team loses two at ASU

The Weber State University Hockey Team lost 5-0 and 4-2 last weekend at Arizona State University, but according to Wildcat Head Coach Steve Soto, it was still a step forward for his team. "I thought we did pretty well," Soto said. "We still need to play 60 minutes of hockey and that's why the scores were so lopsided. There were just some penalties and breakdowns when it wasn't time to break down." In Friday's game the Wildcat hung tough for 40 minutes, heading into the third period down 1-0. ASU's only goal came on an unlucky deflection off of a WSU defenseman. Then the 'Cats started getting tired and taking lazy penalties. "We had a bit of a let down in the third period for about five minutes," Soto said, "and that's all it took for a good DI team to bury a couple goals." The Sun Devils buried the depleted Wildcats with four quick goals to end the game. WSU struggled through the weekend, missing players like John Darby, Craig Lindgren and Dave Lorenzon to injuries. The 'Cats were running three lines of offense and three sets of defense. "Even the guys we are going with right now are a little banged up," Soto said. The Wildcats are hoping the njury bug is hitting them now instead of at the end of the season, when the games really start to count. Despite the short bench, the Wildcats gave the Sun Devils all they could handle in Saturday night's game. WSU trailed by one goal again in the third period, this time 3-2. This time there wasn't a lapse and the 'Cats stayed close right up until the final minute of the game when they pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. WSU couldn't come up with the equalizer and ASU scored in the empty net to close the scoring. Anton Volkov and Chris Roberts scored the goals for the Wildcats. The Sun Devils compete at the Division I level of the American Collegiate Hockey Association. WSU competes at Division II. It was a win-win situation for WSU going into the weekend. The losses don't effect their ranking because they faced an opponent in a superior division. If the Wildcats would have won, it could have influenced their ranking. Regardless, WSU came away from the weekend with some good experience at a faster pace of hockey. The Wildcats are now preparing for a trio of games this weekend in Provo, Utah, at the Western Showcase. WSU will face Utah Valley University, Boise State University and the University of Northern Colorado. The increased workload of three games instead of two in the weekend could be a tough task for the short-handed Wildcats. "I think we'll be alright," Soto said. "Our schedule is not going to be too tough." The Wildcats are expected to beat Utah Valley - who they already beat 6-2 earlier this season - and Boise State - who hasn't fielded the best teams in the past few seasons. Northern Colorado could be a tougher task however. "Overall, I think it's going to help us out," Soto said. "Get a couple wins, get some guys some rest." The Wildcats' next home game wont be until Nov. 7 when they face the University of Utah. The 'Cats are currently in the midst of an eight-game road trip.