The BYU hockey team shut down Montana State in the second night of the MWCHL tournament play Friday, winning 8-7 in double overtime.
Montana State controlled the first period, outscoring the Cougars 4-2.
BYU tied up the score 4-4 by outshooting the Bobcats in the second. Emotions ran high as one Montana State player headbutted BYU’s CJ Coslett to the ice. Coslett was taken to the ER exhibiting symptoms of a cracked skull and a severe concussion. The Montana State player was subsequently ejected.
With 25 seconds left in the second period, the Bobcats tied the score at 5-5 on a close-range shot.
BYU’s Ben Gantt scored a mid-range goal with 18 minutes left in the third period to retake the lead, only to be answered by a Montana State goal three minutes later. With nine minutes left in the period, BYU’s Axel Boyer scored off of a slap shot to regain the lead 7-6. With just 39 seconds left and the game seemingly over, the Cougars allowed Montana State to score to force a five– minute overtime.
“We left our goalies out to dry for a little bit and left guys open on the back door,” Cameron Hymas said. “We need to tighten up our defense down low.”
The overtime period was scoreless, leading to a three-goal shootout.
Montana State missed the first attempt wide of the goal. Boyer’s attempt was successful, taking the lead 8-7. Montana State missed its next attempt, but so BYU’s Cameron Hymas. Scott Mehr blocked the Bobcats’ third attempt to give the Cougars the shootout victory.
“We came out a little stronger, and we didn’t give up,” athlete Ashton Shimbashi said. “Tomorrow we can’t let them walk around.”
BYU continues tournament play Saturday, Feb. 7, at Peaks Ice Arena.
