One month from now, the West’s elite will converge in Salt Lake for the ACHA West Regionals, with two spots at Nationals on the line. One of those teams competing will be the Utah Skatin’ Utes, who wrap up their second season in the PAC-8 conference this weekend against USC.
It’s the last conference weekend for everyone, and a lot is on the line especially with the new playoff format in the PAC-8 Championship. Among other changes, six teams will battle for the trophy instead of four this year, with the teams split into two pools of three teams each. With that said the UW-UCLA games this weekend will play as a big a factor as Utah’s games will be.
For the Utes, one win will get the job done and Utah will head to California in two weeks as the number one seed in the playoffs and PAC-8 regular season champs. A pair of losses will send the Utes to the number two seed. With the Utes needing just one win this weekend, it looks highly likely as the Utes take on a team that has been reeling over the past couple of months.
The USC Trojans come into the weekend with a 6-16-1 record and sit sixth in the conference standings. The Trojans have lost nine of their last ten games being outscored 43-31. While on paper the team may seem lack luster, a closer looks shows this team is still dangerous as five of those last ten games were decided by two goals or less.
USC is led on offense by junior Andrew Walkon, who leads the team in points with 35 and goals with 27. On the offensive side, six players have double-digit point totals this year with seniors Thomas Waschenfelder and David Morris tallying 27 and 20 points respectively. Senior goaltender Eric Chiccone is back again this year and has a 4.20 GAA with a save percentage of 89%.
Overall, these two teams have met three different times with Utah picking up wins in all three contests. The Utes won 5-4 and 7-1 in LA last January and beat the Trojans 4-3 in overtime in the first round of last year’s PAC-8 Championship in Seattle. This marks the first time the Utes will play USC at home in club history.
Predictions
Friday: The Utes just need one win to clinch the number one seed in the PAC-8’s and my guess is that the Utes will go hard for it on Friday. USC will have to get acclimated to the altitude and the Olympic-sized rink quickly if they want even a shot at winning this one. Utah 9, USC 3
Saturday: Expect more of the same in this one as Utah should control the game with ease. Utah 8, USC 2
Utah Game Notes
Chase McDonald has now moved up to second in the nation in points with 61 on the season. He is also 28 points away from breaking the record for most points scored by a Utah player in a season.
With Utah’s win over Oregon two weeks ago, Utah clinched a spot in the PAC-8 Championships for the second straight year. Utah was the second seed at last year’s tournament.
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