Utah M2 falls in OT in second game of Beehive

November 22, 2024
Salt Lake City, Utah

The Utah Men’s Division 2 Hockey Team hosted the Montana State University Bobcats for their second of four games in the 2024 Beehive Showcase. After a shootout win for the Utes against Northern Arizona University Ice Jacks in their opening game, Utah was unable to secure a second win this weekend against the Bobcats, falling 3-2 in overtime. 

First Period
The face-off between the Bobcats and the Utes was a battle from the get-go, with both teams battling hard for possession. The puck was back and forth between the opponents, until a few near-goal plays by the Bobcats put Utah on their toes early.

Montana State commanded Utah’s defensive zone, but pressure made diamonds, and soon the Utes found their footing. They started to gain traction in their offensive zone, with no lack of physicality between the two teams with bodies pinned to the boards. 

Cole Turner and Connor Beers in the Utah offense began interrupting the Bobcats passing, giving Utah a chance to take control of the game. However, even as they neared the Bobcats goal, the Utes lacked manpower in the middle to execute goals. The two teams were neck and neck, with the Bobcats and Utes evenly matched, with one unable to best the other.

As the period went on, there became somewhat of a stalemate in the neutral zone. Neither team had control of the puck for long, and as soon as the puck went to one side, it would be launched to the other in a game of ping pong.

About two thirds of the way into the period, Utah started using their arsenal of tools, taking shots from the Bobcat’s blue line and taking away key scoring opportunities for Montana State. Utah took back the game; their trust for each other showed as Jack Furlong, assisted by Turner and Jack Umina, took the shot and scored with five minutes remaining. The Bobcats attempted a comeback, but goalie Marcello De Antunano was a wall in front of the net and a crucial part of securing the 1-0 in the first period.

From there, the Bobcats had their tails tucked between their legs as the Utes remained in their offensive zone, chipping away at the defense for the rest of the period until the horn blew.

Second Period
After being shutout in the first period, the Bobcats got the jump on the Utes early. Gaining possession off the puck drop, the Bobcats fought their way into Utah’s defensive zone with a new fire in their hearts.

Off the bat, several quick shots flew at De Antunano. While he made several spectacular saves, even using his skate to block a shot, one managed to narrowly slip past, tying up the game in the first two minutes of the period.

This trend continued for a good part of the start of the period as the war raged on in the Utes defensive zone. The tides had turned, with the Bobcats taking control of the match and its pace. The pressure was on for De Antunano; Bobcats continuously stormed the net, but the spirit he showed in the first period held fast. He stayed calm and composed, keeping the Utes out of trouble when it mattered most.

Utah felt the heat from the Bobcats as the team struggled to clear the puck out of danger. Although Montana State consistently attacked the goal, Utah managed to keep the score tied 1-1. Despite a deflating beginning of the period for the Utes, Turner and Daniel Madison helped lead the charges for the offense, using any opportunity they could to take a chance at scoring. While these attempts were often short lived, they gave Utah vital moments to reset and continue the fight against the Bobcats.

With seven minutes left in the period, the Bobcats became impatient, and the physicality increased tenfold against the Utes. Utah took a few big hits from Montana State, but refused to break down. A roughing penalty on one team and holding penalty on the other left the game at a four-on-four standoff, finally giving Utah a chance to breathe. With a light in their eyes, the Utes came alive, and a goal from Captain Ezekial Endy put them at a 2-1 lead going into the third.

Third Period
Both teams went round and round the rink, brawling for power over the puck.  Neither team let up for the first half of the period, resulting in a scrappy back-and-forth battle on the ice. The Utes and the Bobcats continued to make breakaway plays, but nothing resulted from the rushes.

This standstill lasted until seven minutes left in the final period, when a wide-open Bobcat received a pass in the slot and flicked it into the goal, tying it up at 2-2. Montana State got a second wind and started to set up camp in Utah’s defensive zone. Although the Bobcats were hounding the goal, the Utes stayed determined to keep pushing back and interrupting goal opportunities for their opponent. Both teams remained in a deadlock until the end, sending the game into a three-on-three overtime.

Overtime
Staying on their toes Montana State once again took control of the puck, playing a fierce game of keep-away from the Utes. Under a minute into overtime, the Bobcats took a quick shot on De Antunano that sunk into the back of the net, ending the matchup with a final score of 3-2. 

Looking Ahead
The Utes play their third match in the Beehive showcase tomorrow at 1pm. MDT., where the Utes will be taking on the University of Providence Argonauts at the Park City Ice Arena. That’s not all for the Skatin’ Utes this weekend, as they will finish off their homestead taking on the University of Montana on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 12pm. MDT. This game will be streamed live on the Utah Hockey Youtube channel

Tickets for all games can be found here.