The BYU hockey team welcomes familiar rival Utah State to Provo on Friday for the second time this season, looking to start a home-ice win streak after a win last weekend against University of Colorado-Denver.
The hockey team is looking for its first win against the Aggies this season, having struggled in previous games against one of the top rated teams in its division. The Aggies, led by coach Jon Eccles, finished the 2010-11 season with a record of 40-1-1.
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The young BYU team has begun to mesh on the ice, with players developing chemistry on their lines and beginning to understand their strengths and weaknesses.
The team is being led by forwards Tanner Gray and Tate Cowley, two freshmen on the team, as well as goaltender Taylor Barr, who is also in his first year. Gray has been playing well since returning from a concussion and notched five goals last weekend in games against CU-Denver and Utah State.
Utah State boasts a powerful offense with 11 players with double digit points this season. The Aggies have scored in double figures in nearly half of their games and lead the West Division standings with 25 points.
BYU will have to give extra attention to forwards Brendan MacDonald and Tyler Mistelbacher, who have combined for 37 goals and 49 assists so far this season.
BYU only has three more home games before the Christmas break, with the match against Utah State followed by two games against Boise State next weekend.
The game tonight will be played at Seven Peaks Ice Arena. Tickets are $5, and the puck drops at 7:45 p.m.
