By Ali Williams
The BYU IceCats bounced back from an emotional overtime loss at Utah State Friday night, Feb. 9, 2006, to beat the Weber State Wildcats in Ogden Saturday, Feb. 10.
BYU entered the game against Weber State looking to even the season series at 2-2. BYU was able to claim the 5-3 victory without having to face overtime like the previous three meetings.
IceCat head coach Ed Gantt credited the team?s defense to secure the rivalry win.
?Our penalty kills were excellent tonight,? he said. ?We had a five-minute major to kill off, and anytime you are able to shut those down it pumps everyone up.?
BYU started off the scoring in the first period, but WSU was able to answer on a power-play goal with 2:12 remaining in the period.
The second period began with a slap shot by IceCat captain Mark Ostebo off a face-off that found the top shelf. The goal gave the IceCats the lead for good over the Wildcats.
Like most rivalry games, IceCat player Aaron Dommer said the game was emotional.
?Ninety per cent of the game tonight was the emotional and mental warfare,? Dommer said. ?We were able to keep a positive mental attitude and encourage each other.?
Gantt said experience was the key to get the win.
?The Utah State game was emotionally draining for us,? he said. ?It took us a while to get up to that level tonight, but by this time in the season the boys are used to playing on back-to-back nights.?
On Friday, in front of a sold out crowd, Utah State got out to an early lead over the IceCats scoring in the first two minutes of the game, then increased their lead on a power-play goal with 7:09 to go in the period.
?We got here late and were scattered at the beginning of the game,? Gantt said. ?Our first period was weak, but we were able to come back and dominate the second period.?
Beau Adams started the BYU scoring in the second period when he found the net at the 13:53 mark. Devin Styers followed suit scoring just three minutes later.
The third period saw chances for both teams to snatch the game-winner.
?Neither team really put their heart into the game until the third period,? Gantt said. ?It easily could have gone either way.?
The game went into overtime and Utah State?s Jordan Francom scored the golden-goal to give the Aggies the win.
?This team gave our best effort,? Dommer said. ?We got a lot of heart, a lot of spirit and a lot of effort. We just need to keep a positive mental attitude.?