Northern Arizona University...
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Texas A&M University Aggies (6) VS. Northern Arizona University Ice Jacks (5)
Our 9:30 pm start was the last call for either team to place a W in the win column for the 2009 Western Classic. Both teams faced long travels without a victory, and both teams recognized the comparable skill levels. But the Aggies perservered for the trip home to eke out the win.
The pace was quick, physical and up-tempo from the puck drop. The Aggies scored first at 16:39. A&M applied controlled pressure deep in the Ice Jacks zone. As Brian Young moved the puck on the blue line, Eric Engelking found open ice mid slot and scored glove side, Aggies 1-0.
With 12:34 and 9:54 remaining, NAU tied and took the period ending lead, 2-1.
The Aggies begin the 2nd period with 2 goals. At 15:36, Julien Legrand moved the puck into the neutral zone. Nick Xenakis controlled the pass and took the Ice Jacks blue line to establish the Aggies. A hard shot created a re-bound opportunity for Justin Cooley, tie game. With 10:08 remaining, Nathan Banks found Jeff Diltz in the low slot. Another quick shot and re-bound captured by Xenakis and the Aggies take the lead.
Less than 1 minute later, the Ice Jacks tie the score, 3-3.
The end of the period produced a flurry of goals. At 5:34, Young launches a shot from the blue line, and another re-bound is buried by Engelking. Less than 2 minutes later, the Aggies fund their lone power play goal. Berkowitz finds Diltz un-attended on left side circle to stymie the goalie, glove side, for a 5-3 lead.
With less than 2 minutes remaining in the period, NAU close the gap to 5-4.
The physical contest continued with the Aggies being charged with 4 of the 5 3rd period penalties. At 13:52, on even strength, the Ice Jacks tied the score at 5 apiece.
With 10:56, the Aggies capitalize on the small battle. Mike Zahner worked the boards to generate a pass to Banks down low. Matt Moreno found open ice and again past the goalie’s glove side, 6-5 Aggies.
Strong defensive action by our skaters and Kyle Vrla, stymied the Ice Jack offense. In the final 3 minutes, the Aggies were short-handed by 2 skaters for 1:38, but held off the empty net skater for the win.
Solid hockey skills were demonstrated by both teams with the strong possibility of a re-match through 2010.
