UCLA/1st ACHA Ranking Preview

The first month of the 2012 season is over and only a week remains until the first ACHA rankings is released. Utah is expected to be in that initial ranking that will decide who advances to the postseason come season’s end.

The only question is where.

Currently the Utes sit at 5-3 and will look to add another two wins this weekend on the road. Utah heads back to Cali, but heads south this time for their first ever meeting against PAC-8 foe UCLA. The Utes are 2-0 in the conference so far, picking up two wins against Cal two weeks ago. It’s safe to say this weekend shouldn’t be a problem for the Utes, as the Bruins haven’t started their season on a very good note. UCLA is 0-4 this year and is coming off a pair of losses to current PAC-8 leader Oregon in Eugene last weekend. Now while the record does not sound very good, last year’s 4th place team from the PAC-8 has faced some tough opponents.

Outside of Oregon, the Bruins have played Loyola Marymount and Cal State Fullerton, both of which are expected to be somewhere in the ACHA West rankings next week. It’s been a tough road for the team from LA and they will be looking for win number one against the Utes this weekend. Do I think it will happen though? If I was a betting man, I wouldn’t take the bet.

Utah comes into the matchup destroying teams with losing records. The Utes have outscored their opponents 51-16 in games they have won so far this season. Those teams are a combined 11-16 this year. This is a team that feasts on the weak teams, and expect another high scoring affair this weekend in Southern California.

Last year’s leading scorer for the Bruins is back this year in Doo Soo Kim, but has only four points in three games. Defensively, both goalies from last year are back; but it’s been a rough start for last year’s starter Al Ricciardelli, who has a GAA of 9.00 and a save percentage in the low 70’s. His counterpart has not done well either, as Seth Rohit is also 0-2 with a GAA of 6.50 and a save percentage of 0.66.

This weekend is the home opener for UCLA, but even that momentum can’t change how I’m picking this weekend. The Utes should win handily in both games and it should be by a lot. The Utah offense is too good and UCLA just doesn’t matchup against a team of this caliber. It’s another weekend for the Utes to stretch their bench and get some well deserved playing time to some guys that haven’t seen the ice a lot this year.

My Predictions:

Friday: Expect a close one for about a period and a half and then let the flood gates open. Utes win 12-4.

Saturday: Should be the same as Friday, but may see some more scoring early. Utes win 9-2.

Utah Game Notes:

Sophomore Ben Seastrand has tallied a point in each of his last seven games, and is 4th in points with 13 so far this season. Fellow teammates Chase McDonald leads with 17 points, Mike McDonald and Luke Burgstahler are right behind him with 14 points each.

This weekend will be Utah’s first trip to LA since winning four straight against San Diego St, USC, and Cal State Fullerton last season. Utah is 8-8 all time in the state of California and 5-4 in Southern California.

Defender James Wilt scored his first goal of the season last Saturday against Arizona State. All but three players on Utah’s squad now have at least one point so far this season.