Pride of Texas Cup...
Saturday, November 28, 2009
University of Texas Longhorns (1) VS. Texas A&M University Aggies (7)
In our 2nd *Annual Thanksgiving trip to the American Airline Center, the Aggies hosted the Longhorns in Dallas in the 6th matchup in the Texas Cup Challenge. Initiated in 2004 by our State Governor Rick Perry, the Longhorns established pace with 3 consecutive victories. However, the Aggies have won the last two matchups, and hope to even the series this weekend. The Aggies had won the previous 2 games from the season, and with the Cup on the line, hope to continue both streaks.
The Longhorns, however, looked to establish their own streak and game tempo and notched the first score of the contest with less than 2 minutes of expired game time.
The Aggies responded and scored 7 un-answered goals, and with the Longhorns in penalty trouble, 3 in power play situations.
Less than 5 minutes later, the Aggies tied the score on a power play opportunity. Once A&M established control in UT territory, Brian Young initiated the play from the blue line. With a deft pass to Patrick Madigan, low slot, Aubrey Berkowitz banged home the re-bound.
7 minutes later, the Aggies moved into the lead on the final score of the period. Captain Eric Engelking moved the puck to Assistant Captain Jeff Diltz to cross the Longhorn blue line. From a deflected slap shot off the defenders, Justin Colley buried another re-bound 5-hole, 2-1.
The second period was physical and cautious with neither team to create control. The Aggies posted the lone score on another power play as Young again controlled the Aggie setup from the UT blue line. With a feed to the low corner, Berkowitz found Michael Zahner behind the net for a cheeky wrap around, 3-1.
During the break, the Aggies re-grouped and stamped the balance of the game. With 15:06 remaining, Engelking captured a bouncing puck in the neutral zone for a breakaway goal 5-hole, 4-1.
At 8:42, the Aggies controlled the puck in Longhorn territory. The initial shot from Diltz created the re-bound opportunity for Dustin Roark, 5-1.
The next two goals broke the Longhorns back. On a power play with 6:53 remaining, Young moved the puck to defense partner Carl Runco. A good read and touch pass found Nick Xenakis to create a breakaway score, 6-1.
38 seconds elapsed as Xenakis beat the defender for another breakaway tally and a final score, 7-1 and the Aggies retain the Texas Cup for another year.
Clair Gannon started between the pipes and split time with our May 2010 graduating Senior, Kyle Vrla. Great efforts, gentlemen, and our congratulations to Kyle!
Team Statistics:
Shots Goals PP Minors
Aggies 44 7 3/6 4
Longhorns 23 1 0/4 6
The Aggies travel to Boulder, Colorado as the Buffaloes host the 4th Annual Western Classic:
Thursday December 3 8:30 pm VS. Utah State Aggies
Friday December 4 5:30 pm VS. Colorado Buffaloes
Saturday December 5 9:30 pm VS. Northern Arizona University Ice Jacks
This Tournament will be a good test for the Tx Aggies - our opponents are ranked 3rd, 1st and 8th in our Region.
Our first AAC game was Dec. 23, 2007 for the Dallas Cup Texas Tech 3 vs. Aggies 2
Gig ‘em, Aggies!
