The University Arizona men’s hockey team lost back-to-back games on the road against GCU. The Wildcats fell to the Antelopes 5-0 in the first game on Friday, Nov. 15 in Arizona Ice Arena, followed by a 4-3 loss on Nov. 16 in Finlay Toyota Center.
Game 1
The Wildcats started the first game of the series with goalie TJ DeMeulenaere, in the net. This would be DeMeulenaere’s second start of the season, after allowing 3 goals in a 3-2 loss to the University of Oklahoma in his last start.
After Arizona was unsuccessful on an early power play, GCU took advantage to take a 1-0 lead with 15:28 left in the first period. This score held until the end of the first quarter, with Arizona successfully defending a penalty later in the period.
The Wildcats were held scoreless in the second period as the team once again was unable to score on an early power play. GCU was also unable to score on a power play later in the period. With 5:43 remaining in the second period, the Antelopes extended their lead to 2-0, a score that stood until the clock ran out.
The Wildcats continued to struggle in the third period. Arizona was not able to come up with an answer as GCU scored 3 goals in the final frame to win game one of the series, 5-0.
Game 2
Hadyn Gould started in the net for Arizona in the second game of the series. Gould has been the team’s top netminder this season, with a 4-3 record entering this start. GCU took advantage of an early Arizona penalty, taking a 1-0 lead on a power play goal with 15:20 left in the first period.
Less than a minute later, defenseman Nicholas Chiocca tied the game for the Wildcats 1-1, scoring his fifth goal of the season. However, the tie didn’t last long as Gabe Tritschler scored shortly after for GCU. Later in the period, Benjamin Oakland scored another goal for GCU, taking control of the 3-1 lead going into the first intermission.
After gaining a power play with 9:24 left in the second period, forward Justin Hughes scored for Arizona to cut the lead to 3-2. Notably, this was Hughes’s 6th goal of the season to lead the team.
Forward Riley Ruh tied the game for the Wildcats on another power play goal, with 2:16 remaining in the period. Ruh has now recorded four goals in his first season with Arizona. GCU took the lead 4-3 going into the third period.
The third and final period saw Arizona fail to score the equalizing goal, as the Wildcats lost game two of the series 4-3.
Looking ahead
Arizona currently holds the ninth spot in the WCHL standings with 10 points on the season. The Wildcats head on the road to play three games as a part of the Maryville Invitational Showcase. Arizona will play against three different opponents including Minot State University, Maryville University and Liberty University in Maryville Ice Center taking place between Nov. 21-23 in Chesterfield, Mo.
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