October 23, 2015
Salt Lake City, UT
It’s been two weeks since the University of Utah Skatin’ Utes last took to the ice and will now put their unbeaten record to the test against the Northern Arizona Icejacks at home this weekend.
The Icejacks have had Utah’s number as of late, winning the last three games vs Utah and also winning four of the last five contests. The Utes will look to buck that trend this weekend in a matchup that always seems to have a major impact on the ACHA West Rankings.
The season so far hasn’t been great for NAU, as they hold a 1-7 record overall and a 0-5 record in Division II of the ACHA. The Icejacks are coming off a 7-4 loss Thursday in Logan against Utah State, where the game was tied at 4-4 in the third period before the Aggies scored twice and added an empty net goal late to cruise to the three goal win.
Despite the struggles on the scoreboard, the Icejacks have played against some of the best competition the West has to offer. Their eight games so far this season have come against Arizona State Elite (twice), Utah State (three times), and Arizona’s D1 team (three times with one win).
As for the Utes, a pair of victories this weekend over NAU would not only give them a leg up over their rivals from Flagstaff in the rankings but it would match the best start ever in Utah Hockey club history. Two years ago the Utes started the season 11-0 and two wins this weekend would match that 11-game unbeaten streak with a 10-0-1 record.
Chase McDonald and Michael Ahern still hold on to the team lead in points with eight each, with Kurtis Kunz and Shaymus Bertagnolli right behind the two forwards with seven points each. In goal, Devan Betts has been superb in goal over the last month, posting a 4-0 record with a 1.50 GAA in the month of October.
Friday night’s game at the Utah Ice Sheet will take place at 7pm with the weekend finale on Saturday taking place at home at 8:30pm. Tickets are still available and you’ll be able to watch both games online at Utah Hockey Game Day Live.
