Southern Methodist University...
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Texas A&M University Aggies (5) vs. Southern Methodist University Mustangs (6)
In the second of two games in Dallas against SMU, the Aggies wanted to keep up the force they had in the first game, and SMU fought to step up their game after a loss.
The first goal came from SMU nine minutes into the game, 1-0.
The Mustangs’ goal went unanswered until Nick Xenakis took advantage of a power play about one minute into the second period and passed the puck to Michael Zahner, who shot it top right corner and buried it to tie the game at 1.
SMU responded with a goal less than two minutes later at 16:42 and brought the score to 2-1.
Once again on a power play, the Aggies took it back into the Mustangs’ zone. Michael Zahner passed the puck to Tom Callaghan behind the net. Callaghan found Aubrey Berkowitz in the slot, and a five-hole shot produced a score of 2-2.
The home team did not take the tied score lightly; two goals at 10:51 and 8:11 in the second period put them ahead by two, 4-2.
On yet another power play, Nick Xenakis took a shot from the top of the circle and scored on his own rebound at 5:00. The Aggies began to close the gap and ended the period 4-3.
The A&M team carried its intensity through the third period, battling through a very physical game. At 6:21 in the third period, Zahner won a faceoff and sent the puck to Dustin Roark; his shot slid through the goalie’s five-hole and the game was once again tied, 4-4.
Exactly two minutes later at 4:21, the Mustangs scored a goal and pulled themselves ahead, 5-4.
The Aggies were not ready to give in. Their determination was obvious as they battled for the puck until 1:26, when Zahner popped up from behind the net and scored top right corner on a wrap-around shot.
Tied at 5, the remainder of the third period ticked away as the physical play escalated. Overtime came and went, and a shootout began. The first shots from SMU and A&M both resulted in goals; rookie goalie Tony Girard made three spectacular saves before the last SMU shooter was successful.
Team Statistics:
Goals PP Minors Majors
Aggies 5 2 7 1
Mustangs 6 3 12 0
