BYU hockey takes on Montana Tech in back-to-back games

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BYU dominated almost every aspect of the game last time it met Montana Tech on the ice, but the team struggled to put the puck in the net.

Since then, the Cougars have continued to see significant improvement in their scoring game and the systems they are using. The Cougars are looking to continue with this theme against Montana Tech this weekend in back-to-back games.

“We feel like we have progressed since (the first series against Montana Tech) and had the chance to correct some mistakes,” junior forward Ashton Ripley said. “It’s time to redeem ourselves. We got to get it back.”

BYU Coach Jeremy Weiss said he has thought about this upcoming series since the early season.

“We’ve been looking forward to this (game) for a while,” Weiss said. “It’s going to come down to controlling the front of the net. A lot of their goals before we’re off rebounds.”

The defense will be key to clearing out the net, and their thin lines received a boost from freshman Jake Wells, who was cleared to play for the first time since breaking his collarbone against the Utes in Salt Lake City earlier this season.

“(Jake Wells is) huge,” captain Mitch Facer said. “He will help out on ‘D and has a good shot as well on the power play.”

Weiss also wants to see his team capitalize on the speed advantage the Cougars have on the Orediggers.

“They aren’t a particularly fast team,” Weiss said. “We were able to take advantage of it last time, but we didn’t capitalize on our chances.”

Weiss said because of this advantage he will give his players a little more leeway in their offensive counter attack to try and capitalize. However, he wants his team to not lose their discipline on the defensive end.

His players see this weekend as an opportunity for the future.

“(We want to) end on a good note and come back in the winter,” Ripley said.

The puck drops Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Butte Ice Convention Center and again at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

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