Aggies crush BYU in hockey home opener

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BYU fell to Utah State Friday night by a score of 12-2 and were overcome by strong goaltending and a dominating defense by the Aggies.

Utah State’s aggressive neutral zone defense helped lead to an overwhelming advantage in shots during the game, with most of the game spent on the BYU side of the ice.

BYU, which is fielding a young team this season, struggled to clear the puck against the veteran forwards of Utah State, who used their experience and chemistry to control the puck and get shots on goal.

BYU kept the game close in the first period. The Cougars gave up one goal while on full strength, one on the power play and then had a goal annulled due to goaltender contact. BYU sparked the first fight of the game shortly after the goal was revoked but gave up a goal with 57 seconds left in the period to go into the second period down 3-0.

BYU kept pace with Utah State in the second period, with Utah State having only a 22-20 shot advantage. Utah State goaltender showed off his talents by stopping all the shots during the period, while BYU gave up four goals, including a tough goal with 12 seconds left. Utah State defended the power play during the period, by stopping all four.

The third period began with high intensity from the BYU offense, which resulted in a goal four minutes in. The team threw traffic in front of goal, which distracted the goaltender and let the shot rocket into the goal undeterred. Utah State outscored the Cougars 4-1 the rest of the period, however, to finish the game on top.

BYU struggled on power plays and failed to convert on multiple opportunities, including a 5-3 advantage in the second period. They finished 0-for-5 on power plays for the game.

There was a scary moment in the third period when a player cleared the puck out of the zone, but the puck struck one of the referees in the side of the head. After collapsing to the ice, the referee was able to get up and finish the game.

BYU will continue its season by play their next game against Weber State on Sept. 24 at home.

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