Season so far:
The Arizona hockey team finds itself in the latter part of the season positioned near the bottom of the Western Collegiate Hockey League table (8-9-1) as things stand currently. This places it just above the University of Colorado at 22 points, with the Wildcats securing 25 points. The 2023 segment of the season concluded with an impressive home sweep against the ASU Sun Devils, providing the Wildcats with valuable momentum for the upcoming stretch.
With only five more games scheduled in Tucson, the Wildcats will be playing the remainder of their matches away from home. They maintain one of the strongest home records in the WCHL, (7-3-1). In contrast, their away record shows only one victory in nine games.
Top players from the first-half of the season:
Jesse Lowell has been a standout player, recording 10 goals and nine assists in the 16 games played this season. Leading the Wildcats in goals and sharing the second spot in assists, Lowell consistently proves to be a star on the ice, contributing to the team’s success.
Nicholas Chiocca, while not the highest scorer, has been exceptional in assisting, tallying 10 assists and leading the team in this category. Chiocca has made an impact in half of the games played, showcasing his influence on scoring chances for Arizona.
Tyler Shetland, a crucial presence in both scoring and assisting, remains near the top in both categories. While not leading the team, Shetland has been active in either scoring or assisting in all but five games this season, showcasing his versatility on the ice.
Season ahead:
Arizona faces a remaining 12 games in the 2023-2024 season. The team travels to Chesterfield, Missouri, on Jan. 19-20, to confront a formidable Maryville University team that sits at 16-9 for the season. Returning to Tucson, the team will encounter the University of Oregon on Jan. 25 and San Diego State University on Jan. 26-27. Both teams have fewer wins than the Wildcats at four and five, respectively.
Then in the final stretch of the season. The Wildcats are faced with a rematch against Maryville in Missouri and a face-off against the Missouri State University hockey team on Feb. 9-10 in Missouri, which has 10 wins on the season.This game will pose as a solid matchup in the final stretch of the WCHL season. The Wildcats’ fiercest rivals, ASU, await in the final series of the season, with only one more win than the Wildcats as things currently stand. Arizona will aim to conclude its season on a high note at home.
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