October 2, 2026
Salt Lake City, Utah
The University of Utah Skatin’ Utes face off against the University of Oklahoma Sooners in a Western Collegiate Hockey League (WCHL) conference series to open up their season at home this weekend. Utah comes into the series ranked #13 in the ACHA preseason rankings, Oklahoma is unranked.
Utah started their season at historic Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, NY, where they stacked 3 wins at the ACHA Lake Placid Invitational. The Utes beat North Carolina state 4-0, Lehigh University 4-1, and Missouri State 5-2. Oklahoma comes into the contest with a 3-2 record. The Sooners are coming off a 5-4 victory at McKendree University and will be playing in their first WCHL conference game of the season in Salt Lake City.
Players to Watch For Four Utes come into this series averaging North of 1 point per game. These players include freshman Jimmy Zeissel (4), Gavin Barr (4), Trevor Kruczek (4), and Paul Waldhouser (4). The Utes have a deep team with a balanced attack, as 14 players have already recorded a point in 3 games thus far.
Utah returns both of their netminders this season, as both Garrett Fuller and Joey Greilich have seen action early this season. Fuller has a 1.00 GAA with a .944 SV% in 2 starts while Greilich also has a 1.00 GAA and a .970 SV% in 1 game played this season.
Oklahoma has 8 players on their roster averaging over 1 point per game. These players include Mason Manderfield (11), Aaron Arnold (9), Carson Spear (8), Ivan Guttierrez (7), Michael Imala (6), Caden Martin (6), Ryan Carr (6), and Charlie Blake (5). The Sooners have played 5 games so far in their season.
The Sooners carry 3 goaltenders on their squad with each playing at least one game. Andre Baumert has recorded a 4.5 GAA with a .842 SV in 2 games. Anthony Lacroix has a 7.5 GAA and .792 SV% in 2 games played.
Series Projection
The Utes have an impressive sweep in New York added to their resume early in the season against strong competition. Both Utah goaltenders have had solid starts to the season, and statistically are near the top of the conference.
Oklahoma has a loss to a M2 opponent in Oklahoma State, however games between these two rivals are typically close. The Sooners have not faced the same competition as Utah, but have a few more games under their belt.
Games between these 2 conference foes have been close in recent years, but the strong defensive play for the Utes should give them the edge in this series.