The BYU hockey team got off to a slow start against regional No. 1 Colorado and was never able to catch up as the Cougars lost 5-3 on Saturday in Provo.
BYU was down 4-0 with a minute left in the second period before captain James Burkart scored the goal that made the game 4-1 changed the team’s momentum.
The Cougars returned to play in the third period and took twice as many shots as their opponent.
More than 100 fans cheered the Cougars on as they came within two halfway through the third period.
But the Cougars spent much of the remaining time in the penalty box and Colorado scored twice during 5-on-3 power plays. Those goals proved to be the difference in the game.
Coach Ed Gantt said the result would have been different if the Cougars had been more disciplined.
“We would have won this game if we stayed out of the penalty box,” Gantt said.
Assistant coach Doug Kimball said penalties and not play were responsible for the loss.
“I think we outplayed them,” Kimball said. “We showed we should be able to play with any team in the nation.”
The final shot count was BYU 40 to Colorado’s 36.
The Cougars will face two local opponents next week as they take on Utah State Friday and Utah on Saturday.
