Broncos give IceCats wild ride

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    By Jeremy Twitchell

    The Provo IceCats put on a show for the women of Provo in honor of Ladies Night at the Peaks Ice Arena on Saturday, Oct. 26, defeating the Boise State Broncos 8-5 in a tough, physical game.

    The IceCats were led by sophomore center Derek Battisti, who had his first hat trick of the season and two assists, while fighting a cold.

    “It felt great to finally get that monkey off my back,” said Battisti, who has had three two-goal games this season.

    “We told him that if he”s going to play like that when he”s got a cold, we”re going to give him a cold every week,” IceCats coach Ray Bernier said.

    Battisti scored his first goal to tie the game at one with 12 minutes left in the first period. His second goal, with 30 seconds remaining in the period, tied the game again at two.

    In the second period, the IceCats again traded goals with the Broncos to leave the game tied at four heading into the final period.

    The tie score was the result of two periods of tough, physical hockey. The two teams matched up closely in size and speed, making for a back-and-forth game with lots of contact and penalties.

    In the third period, Provo outscored Boise State, 4-1. As the IceCats pulled away, the Broncos began to show their frustration and two minor fights broke out.

    “We let them get in our heads a little bit,” Bernier said. “But after we had a couple chats about it between periods, we came out and played exceptionally well in the third period.”

    With two minutes left in the game, Boise State tried to take advantage of a power play by pulling the goalie and sending six men on the attack against four Provo defenders, but did not score.

    “We knew that by the end of this game, they would be worn out,” Bernier said. “So we said, ”Let”s step it up, let”s go in there in the third period and take it to them, and they”ll cave in.” I think we just wore them out.”

    Sophomore defenseman Mark Ostebo said the team”s character and endurance at the end of the game made the difference.

    “The key to the game was just heart,” Ostebo said. “We showed heart in the third period again. We own the third period.”

    Defenseman Matt Hunsaker, a graduate student, had a different reason to explain why his team played so well.

    “You have to play well for ladies” night,” Hunsaker said.

    Freshmen wings Mark Kincher and Jason Griffiths added two goals each, and junior wing Nate Orr scored Provo”s remaining goal.

    For the Broncos, it was their third loss in as many nights.

    “It”s disappointing,” Boise State”s coach said. “It”s hard to lose three straight games on the road. But our defense got out of position, and when your defense gets out of position, you get scored on.”

    The win improved Provo”s record to 3-0 at home and 5-1 overall. The IceCats now have an off week, but that does not mean the team will take a week off.

    Bernier said he has noticed certain aspects his team needs to improve on. These include passing and following through to the net on offense, which he plans to emphasize in practice during the next two weeks.

    The two-week hiatus ends Nov. 8, when the IceCats host Northern Arizona.

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