The second half of the IceCats season started off with a trip to California where they came away big with two wins and a tie.

Their three-game weekend consisted of games against Cal-Berkeley and two with San Jose State.

The weekend was an important one for the Cats, not just because it was they need to start the second semester off on the right foot, but because San Jose State was ranked No. 4 in the West Region of the American Collegiate Hockey Association, right in fornt of the Cats at No. 5.

Co-captain Jimmy Burkart said the weekend was very successful.

“It was a good weekend,” he said. “It was a fun weekend. It sets the tone for the rest of the semester. We came out and we picked up our game, but we need to step it up another level and show everyone we are a team that is the running for nationals.”

In Friday’s game, the Spartans jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second period. The IceCats quickly responded with three goals of their own. In the third period, the teams swapped goals and then the Spartans put one more in to take a 5-4 lead. With nine seconds left in regulation, newcomer Brett Fuller scored one of his three goals to tie the game. Neither team scored in the overtime period, resulting in a 5-5 tie. Burkart and Jeremy Weiss also scored goals, and Tamio Stehrenberger had 41 saves.

On Saturday, the IceCats played in a similar game were they found themselves playing catch up. The teams swapped goals throughout the game. In the third period, with the score tied 4-4 and 26 seconds left, co-captain Mark Ostebo hit a slap shot from way out that slid right past the goalie to seal the IceCats’ victory.

Ostebo said he was surprised his game-winning goal went in.

“Fuller gave it to me from the corner; I didn’t even look,” he said. “I just shot it with my eyes closed. It was just a lucky shot.”

Weiss and one of Josh Burkart’s two goals were short-handed goals. Fuller also scored a goal for the Cats.

Ostebo also said the team showed up big in the third period in both games.

“One thing the team has had trouble with is playing well to finish off the game, but we did it,” he said. “We had some crucial goals in the last minute in both games. That was just what the doctor ordered; we had to do it and we did it.”

The IceCats had great fan support in their two games against San Jose State. The players said they thought the fans for the Cats were just as loud as the Spartan fans. Head coach Matt Beaudry said he appreciated getting the boost on the road.

In Thursday night’s game, the Cats found themselves in one of the oldest rinks west of the Mississippi. Berkeley’s Iceland was built in 1940, and it shows. After the players got over their astonishment of how old the place looked, they handled the Golden Bears with ease, shutting them out 8-0.

Weiss came up big with a hat trick. Ostebo, Jimmy Burkart, Daren O’Bray, Nate Hymes and Fuller also scored goals on the night. Stehrenberger played in the goal in the first period, and Ben Shapiro was in front of the net the remainder of the game. They combined for 32 saves in the shutout performance.

All but one of the IceCats’ remaining games will be at home, including this weekend as the Cats take on Northern Colorado on Friday and Saturday at the Peaks Ice Arena. The games start at 8:15 p.m.



Copyright Brigham Young University 19 Jan 2005