The BYU hockey team will end its season this weekend with the final game tonight and a skate with the team event Saturday.
The Cougars will play Utah for the seventh time this season. The last meeting between the two teams ended in a 13-3 win for the Cougars. They have not beaten the Utes by less than five goals since October.
Captain James Burkart said he hopes the rivalry between the two schools will motivate the players.
"It doesn't matter that we beat them so many times," Burkart said. "It's Utah and you always want to beat them one more time."
Coach Ed Gantt said he and the other coaches talk up Utah's strengths in order to keep the team focused.
"We [the coaches] worry about every game," Gantt said. "Hockey is the kind of sport that any given night, anybody can pull out a win."
Gantt also said the Cougars are looking to end the season on a high note.
"We want to work hard and play a good, solid game for the fans and not get injured," Gantt said.
Three Cougars will be playing their last game Friday including Burkart, Derek Battisti and Jason Griffiths.
"I wouldn't mind going out with a win," Burkart said. "Of course I'll want to put a little extra effort in there and leave it all out on the ice."
Tonight's game will start at 8:30 at Seven Peaks Ice Arena and admission is $5 for students.
On Saturday night the Cougars will give fans the opportunity to skate with the team.
They were originally scheduled to play Metro State, but the game was cancelled.
"We had some ice time so we thought, let's invite our fans down to come and meet some of the players and spend some time with them on the ice and get to know them better," Gantt said.
The cost is $3 plus $1.50 for skate rentals. For more information or to reserve a spot call 422-7286.
Copyright Brigham Young University 7 Mar 2008
