USU Hockey bites it in the first round

(Editor's Note: All of the quotes in this article can be taken from the interview posted. The interview is about 10 minutes long, but if you care about USU hockey, it's well worth the listen.)

Utah State suffered an 8-4 loss to San Diego State University in the first round of the ACHA western regional tournament Friday afternoon.

This loss constitutes the second time in two years that USU has been favored headed into the first round of regionals and has come up short. Last year the Aggies fell on home ice to the Denver Pioneers, 5-4. The difference between this year and last year is found in the team's overall record (27-6), the fact that USU was undefeated at home, regardless of the opponent, and the seeding that USU earned heading into the tournament in Greeley, Colo.

USU was seeded second and was facing an Aztec team with a much less remarkable record (17-14), but that had also been riding a recent wave of momentum. SDSU had won six of its previous eight. Its only losses came to San Jose State and to the Aztec Alumni team. SDSU was able to use its recent momentum to push itself just out of reach.

USU got off to a good start in this game. By the end of the first period, the Ags were up 2-1. Simple shortcomings hurt the Aggies, however. In a text message sent by the team, head coach Jon Eccles said David Wyman missed a penalty shot and dangerous scorers Brendan MacDonald and Tyler Mistelbacher missed on some great chances. Eccles said the team successfully maintained a positive attitude moving through the second into the third, but nothing seemed to be working for USU. SDSU scored five in the second to USU's two, and the Aztecs were able to capitalize twice more in the third. With that, the margin was spread to four goals, and USU fell too far behind to recover.

"I don't know if we didn't prepare," Eccles said, "or I don't know if we as a team overlooked them expecting to walk through them. You're bound to have a player have an off game but not every part of the team. How many times have you seen Brendan MacDonald and Mistelbacher come down on a two-on-none and not score? We only had one power-play goal on five chances. They were the underdogs. They had nothing to lose. They just let it all hang out, and we couldn't respond."

As far as gauging the success of this year's Aggie hockey season, Eccles said the team is obviously disappointed, but next year will be that much better.

"Yeah, it would have been nicer to have gone on to nationals," he said, "but the boys, I think, worked hard. We fought through up and down situations, came back and still finished strong. One game doesn't define your season."

Eccles said he is grateful to the fans for the support the community has offered.

"This is one of the greatest fan bases and arenas to play in," he said. "Everyone talks about coming to play in Logan because they love the fans. The support is just awesome. We're averaging between 1,200 to 1,500 fans a game. To be the third highest attended sport on campus when these guys are not on scholarship is a testament to their desire to play."

Eccles also said the team can substantially improve in some areas.

"On the flip side, there still has to be a level of discipline," he said, "and we will be better next year. In order to be a caliber tournament team, you have to be that disciplined. That's something we've kind of lacked. We have to play as if we are a varsity sport, and we have to treat the players that way. If they're not going to do the things we're asking, then sorry. We'll get players that want to."

USU's final home game and senior night of the season will be Friday, March 5, when the University of Utah Skatin' Utes come to play on Aggie ice. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m.