Montana Tech Hockey Competes at Beehive Classic in Provo, Utah

The Montana Tech University (Tech) Hockey team traveled to Utah to participate in the Beehive Classic from November 21st to 24th. The annual tournament takes place in Central Utah, with teams playing in Logan, Ogden, Salt Lake City, and Provo, and hosts 10 teams. The Orediggers faced off against Utah Valley University (UVU), Colorado State University (CSU), Arizona State University (ASU), and California State University Northridge (CSUN).

(Photo: BNO)

Game 1 – Nov 21 vs. UVU

In their opening game of the Beehive Classic, Tech faced a familiar opponent in UVU. The Wolverines struck first just 1:16 into the game and didn’t let up, scoring five goals in the opening period while firing 27 shots on net.

In the second period, UVU kept up their offensive pressure, adding two more goals. Tech managed to stop the unanswered streak with a goal from Rye Vincent, assisted by Ryan Patrick, at 8:55. However, UVU quickly answered with two more goals, taking a commanding 9-1 lead by the end of the second period.

The third period saw more UVU scoring, as the Wolverines added four more goals to win 13-1. Tech’s goalie, Brecken Kasse, faced a total of 79 shots, making 66 saves in the contest.

Game 2 – Nov 22 vs. CSU

In their second Beehive Classic game, Tech faced off against Colorado State University (CSU). Despite holding the Rams to just three goals in the first period, Tech struggled to contain CSU in the second period.

A CSU penalty early in the second period led to a Tech goal from Chris Collings, assisted by Ethan Elam and Cade Holland, just 70 seconds into the frame.

“We were on the powerplay. The boys were able to get control and set up in their end. I just fought for position and managed to tip Ethan's shot, and it went in,” said Chris Collings. 

 However, CSU responded with three more goals, before Tech’s Riley Kelly scored a second goal with assists from Holland and Elam. CSU added one more to take a 7-2 lead into the third period.

Tech played their best defensive period in the third, allowing only one goal on the power play. Brecken Kasse continued to be busy in goal, making 56 saves on 64 shots. Tech ultimately fell to CSU 8-2 at the final buzzer.

Game 3 – Nov 23 vs. ASU

Against the highly-ranked Arizona State University (ASU), a once-again injury-plagued Tech found themselves down 5-0 after the first period as the Sun Devils exploded with five unanswered goals. ASU continued their high-powered attack, scoring eight more goals in the second period - a period in which goalie Brecken Kasse suffered a foot injury but remained in the crease until the end of the frame. Tech managed to break the scoring drought with a shorthanded goal from Rye Vincent after Tech took a penalty.

In the third period, Riley Kelly scored Tech’s second goal of the game late in the frame, after ASU added four more goals to their tally.

Brecken Kasse started the game and made 14 saves on 27 shots before being replaced by Trent Harrison in the third period. Harrison, stepping in as emergency backup (E-Bug),  made 16 saves on 20 shots. ASU ultimately triumphed 17-2 in this high-scoring contest.

“As a team there’s a couple things we could work on and improve to higher standards. The biggest being trust and communication as we lack a little trust in each other when we are in a bad position during a game,” said Harrison… he continued, “My overall personal performance could have been better as there’s always room to improve. I owed a lot of my decent performance to my teammates as they played their positions well while I was in the net making my job a little easier.”  

Game 4 – Nov 24 vs. CSUN

Tech’s final game of the Beehive Classic was their most competitive of the tournament, as they faced California State University Northridge (CSUN). Tech came out strong, scoring back-to-back goals from Cade Holland at 1:02 and Colin McCarthy to take an early 2-0 lead. The Orediggers’ defense also put together a solid performance, keeping CSUN off the scoreboard in the first period.

However, Tech conceded three unanswered goals in the second period. In the final frame, the Orediggers tightened up defensively but were unable to score. CSUN added one more goal on the power play to secure a 4-2 victory.

Tech’s goalie, Brecken Kasse, had another busy day in net, making 63 saves on 67 shots in the loss.

Up Next

Even though Montana Tech didn't come away with any wins, they showed a lot of heart and competitive spirit during the Beehive Classic. Goalie Brecken Kasse had an impressive tournament, making over 200 saves. The Orediggers are now focused on bouncing back and using the experience from this tough tournament to improve moving forward. 

Tech will return to the ice one last time in  December when they face the University of Montana Grizzlies  on Sunday, Dec 8 at 1 pm in Butte. As the last game of the semester, the Diggers hope to make it memorable, recognizing graduating seniors and hosting a Teddy Bear Toss - with proceeds going to the Butte Toys for Tots Chapter..