The rivalry did not disappoint

Fans at Friday night's game at the Weber County Ice Sheet were treated to a good one as the rivalry continued between the Weber State University and Utah State University hockey teams.

There were certain highlights that stood out. They're tough to fully describe in print, but hey, let's give it a shot for those of you who for some reason didn't come to the best rivalry game at Weber State.

Dropping the gloves

I was at the game with my hockey-savvy 12-year-old nephew from Canada. He asked if guys usually fight in these games. I told him there's usually a lot of pushing and shoving after the whistles and around the goalies, but guys don't often drop the gloves and actually fight because it's an automatic game misconduct penalty according to league rules.

Seconds later, WSU forward Michael Spawton found himself awkwardly pinned in the corner by a USU defenseman. As the play eventually transitioned out of the zone, the USU player continued to hold Spawton down in the corner still. Upon getting loose, Spawton took exception, immediately dropped his gloves, and the two players duked it out. Unfortunately for Spawton, he couldn't get the USU player's helmet off. He got in some good shots though. Spawton left the game with quite a trophy - a shiner that would make even Bob Probert cringe.

Racing to the penalty box

This was perhaps one of the most obscure things I have ever seen at a hockey game as well as one of the funnier things, and I've seen literally thousands of hockey games in my day. It took place with 2:10 left in the second period.

WSU forward Chris Cotsillis was driving to the USU net when he was pushed from behind by a USU player. His momentum pushed him forward, blowing through the USU goalie.

In case someone reading this column isn't aware of the severity of knocking a goalie over in hockey, one could draw a comparison to bodychecking the pope. Obviously, if someone bodychecks the pope, his Catholic bodyguard people are going to go ballistic and clobber the perpetrator. The goalie is the pope of the ice. No one is supposed to touch the pope. Cotsillis touched the pope. Cotsillis understood the pope of the ice etiquette. He knew he was going to get a penalty for knocking over the goalie. He also knew the USU players were going to go ballistic.

So here's the unique and funny part of the Cotsillis-goalie incident: Immediately after hitting the goalie, Cotsillis started booking it for the penalty box. He skated as fast as he could, opened up the door of the penalty box and sat down. USU players skated after him, looking for a scuffle, but referees blocked the door to the penalty box and the USU players were left hitting the glass with their sticks in disgust.

"I honestly did not mean to hit the goalie," Cotsillis said. "I'm not that type of player to run at a goalie. I did get hit and it was my forward motion going into him. I honestly didn't mean to do it, I actually apologized to him afterward. But yeah, Treasure says when you get a penalty, skate right to the penalty box. That's what I did, just listening to coach. I don't like to get involved in any of those issues, so I just got out of there."

Great Crowd

It was a packed arena for the matchup. The crowd got very loud at moments. I made the mistake of sitting a few rows in front of the cow bell section - about five people with two cow bells each. I mean, good for them, cow bells are very common in international hockey, they are more than welcome at a Weber State game, I just shouldn't have sat right in front of them. Bruce Dickinson would be proud of you cow bell people. Weber State players appreciated the crowd's participation.

"Great crowd," Cotsillis said. "There was great fan support, especially for the rivalry. Hopefully the fans will keep coming."