By Layton Shumway
In some ways, this past weekend was a big step forward for the Provo IceCats. In others, there''s still a long way to go.
The IceCats split a pair of games at the Peaks Ice Arena, beating rival Weber State 7-4 on Friday, Oct. 13, but losing to Long Beach State 6-5 in overtime on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2006.
The Provo team showed good focus and persistence in coming from behind to defeat Weber State after coming out slowly in the first period. Team captain Jimmy Burkart scored two goals, including one short-handed on a breakaway, and junior forward Derek Battisti added two more goals.
'It''s an extremely big and important win,' Burkart said. 'This was going to be our first big measuring stick, and I think we did a pretty good job with it.'
IceCats coach Ed Gantt wasn''t happy about the difficulties in the first period, something the team struggled with in the season opener against UNLV as well.
'This is a problem that we''ve had in the past,' Gantt said. 'There will be teams we play that will win the game in the first period - we won''t be able to come back. So we''ve got to go after guys right from the beginning.'
However, Gantt noted that against Weber State, his team was able to recover and received contributions from everyone on the roster.
'We''re a much deeper team than we were last year,' Gantt said. 'There are other guys on the bench who are only playing on the third or fourth line because we''re so deep. Last year they would have been on the second line.'
Penalties were again an issue for the IceCats. But the team increased its defensive effort and by the end of the game, the Wildcats were the ones spending time in the penalty box with fouls committed in frustration.
'We improved our discipline throughout the game, and that really paid off,' Burkart said.
Not all of that discipline carried over into Saturday night''s game. Though Long Beach State was coming off a loss to Utah State the night before, and closing a three-game road trip against the IceCats, the 49ers were the aggressors for much of the night.
The winning goal was scored just 18 seconds into the overtime period, ending a choppy game with lots of penalties on both sides. A Long Beach State player was injured in the first period as well, stopping play for over five minutes and adding to the game''s length.
One of the big factors in the game was the debut of freshman goalie Josh Wheeler. While starting goalie Ben Shapiro missed the game for personal reasons, Wheeler played well in his first start, making several good saves. But he also made a few mistakes due to his inexperience.
'Pressure was pretty intense on ,' Gantt said after Saturday''s loss. 'I think we let him down on a couple of important plays - we got caught staring at the puck, and knew where to put it.'
The overtime loss especially stings because it seems to be a trend with the IceCats. Last year the team lost five games in overtime.
'I hate losing in overtime,' Gantt said. 'We''ve got to find a way to shake that.'