The BYU Icecats completely dominated Metro State University and the University of Utah at home on Friday and Saturday night, (Jan. 12-13, 2007) winning both games 10-2.

The Icecats started strong coming off the Christmas break by scoring 3 goals in the first period against a depleted Metro State squad and then added a few more before the night was through.

Metro State had only 9 players and one goaltender to start the game, and then lost a player to injury in the first period.

The Icecat victory was so complete that the scorekeepers where no longer stopping the clock in the third period.

Saturday night against Utah was more of the same.

The Icecats started out slow against Utah only scoring two goals in the first period against the hapless Utes choosing to work on their defensive systems instead of run up the score.

Once they did get started scoring, the Utes could do nothing to stop the faster and more skilled Icecats. The team scored 6 goals in the second period alone.

"These games [against lesser opponents] were a good opportunity to get rid of the Christmas rust," said coach Ed Gantt. "It builds the players confidence in their teammates and our system. It also gives the new guys a chance to get to know the system."

The Icecats' "new guys" hit the ground running with the team.

Most notably among them were forward Brandon Holmes, a transfer from Weber State, and Goaltender Oliver Freij.

Holmes scored 2 goals against Metro State and had a hat trick at the expense of Utah.

"I really wanted to have a good start," Holmes said. "This is so much better than Weber D-1."

Freij started off his Icecat career by going three periods without allowing a goal. He played the third period against Metro State and did not let a puck past him until 3 minutes into the third when Utah scored on a 5 on 3 power play.

"I just wanted to make that first save," Freij said. "It's nice to get two wins."

Even with all the domination, the Icecats were unhappy with giving up goals to their opponents.

"We played down to their level at times," said coach Don Homan. "That is how they scored."

"Once we got up by so much it was hard to keep focused," Holmes said.

The Icecats look forward to some much stronger competition out of their next opponent as they take on Weber State this Friday, at the Peaks Ice Arena.

"Weber is always tough," Gantt said. "You always have to fight to get a win over them."

Copyright Brigham Young University 16 Jan 2007