February 10, 2017
Ames, IA
There are just four games left for the University of Utah Skatin’ Utes this season as the team hits the road for the final time this this weekend taking on the 10th ranked Iowa State Cyclones. With the Utes just one spot away from the Nationals field, a solid weekend in Ames could punch their ticket to the tournament.
ABOUT THE SERIES:
This weekend is the first ever meeting between the Utes and the Cyclones. It also marks the first time that the Utes have ever traveled to play in the state of Iowa in program history.
ABOUT THE UTES:
The Utes are coming off a weekend split with #6 Jamestown at home last weekend to move their record to 18-8 overall and 5-8 in Division 1 play. The Utes have won 11 of their last 12 games and four of their last five Division 1 games. With the split the Utes are now ranked 19th in Division 1 of the ACHA, which has the team right on the precipice of qualifying for the National Championship in their first year in D1. The Utes are 4-7 in Division 1 road games this season.
ABOUT THE CYCLONES:
The Cyclones are coming off a pair of weekend losses on the road to the defending D1 National Champions in the 7th ranked Lindenwood Lions. The Cyclones are 17-13-1 on the season but are just 3-7 in the second semester. The Cyclones fell two spots to #10 in this week’s ACHA Division 1 rankings, which is still good enough to avoid the first round of games at Nationals. This weekend are the final regular season home games for the Cyclones this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
FOR UTAH:
Brett Myer continues to hold the team lead in points with 38 and assists with 25 after a two-assist game in Utah’s 4-3 Shootout win vs Jamestown. Julian Cronan is the hottest player on the team right now, with points in 10 of his last 12 games for the Utes. He and Alex King are tied for the team lead in goals with 15 each. Patrick Kasper continues to stay strong in net for Utah with a 7-1 record this season. His .939 save percentage is 4th best in Division I of the ACHA.
FOR IOWA STATE:
Aaron Azevedo is the leading scorer for the Cyclones with 25 points this season. Azevedo is tied with Dalton Kaake for goals with 11 each and is tied with two other Cyclones for the team lead in assists with 14 each. Derek Moser has played the most games in net for Iowa State with 22 games so far and has a 2.60 GAA and a .907 save percentage.
Friday night’s game at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena is scheduled to begin at 7:30pm CT and Saturday’s game is scheduled to start at 8pm CT, but may start later as the game will take place immediately after the Iowa State Women’s hockey game. Both games are scheduled to be broadcasted here.
