Montana Tech Hockey Wraps Up Tough Utah Road Trip and MSU Road Game
Montana Tech University Hockey (Tech) wrapped up a challenging stretch of road games over the past week and a half, including a trip to Utah where the Orediggers faced off against Utah Valley University (UVU), Weber State University (Weber), and Utah State University (USU). Tech then returned to Montana to face Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman on Thursday, Jan. 30.
Montana Tech at UVU, Thursday, Jan. 23
UVU jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first period, firing 25 shots on the net. Tech responded in the second period, with Rye Vincent scoring off a Ryan Patrick assist around the three-minute mark. However, UVU answered with another four goals, pushing their lead to 8-1 heading into the third period.
In the final frame, Tech's Cade Holland, assisted by Patrick, scored at 8:19 to make it 8-2. UVU then added four more goals to seal a 13-2 win.
Goalie Ed Kazmierczak faced a barrage of shots, making 61 saves on 74 attempts.
“In the first game, I think we played really well. we were definitely short benched and I think that showed through the whole weekend. In the second game, we definitely started off struggling in the first period. but i think we settled in better and played decent,” said Goalie, Eddie Kazmierczak.
Montana Tech at Weber State University, Friday, Jan. 24
Weber State came out strong, scoring seven goals in the first period and three more in the second. Tech’s Sawyer Inman scored the team’s lone goal, assisted by Tyler Stodden, in the second period. Weber would go on to score one more before the period ended and extended their lead to 16-1 in the third.
Kazmierczak was again under pressure, making 55 saves on 71 shots. A bright spot for Tech was their penalty-killing unit, which held Weber to just one power-play goal.
“I pulled my hamstring in the second and I think the team really backed me up when I was in pain. I tried playing the third game and only made it through a period before I hurt my hamstring more. I think the team did amazing for the amount of players we had. If someone was in pain and had to take a shift off, someone else would step up and let them take a shift off,” Kazmierczak said.
Montana Tech at Utah State University, Saturday, Jan. 25
Tech faced a high-powered USU team that dominated the game from the start. The Aggies scored six goals in the first period and seven in the second. The third period saw Tech’s best defensive effort, holding USU to just four goals. Ultimately, USU won 17-0.
Goalie Trenton Harrison entered the game in relief in the second period, making 35 saves, including 22 in the second and 13 in the third.
Montana Tech at Montana State, Thursday, Jan. 30
The nationally ranked MSU Bobcats proved to be a tough test for the Orediggers, who were only able to roster 10 skaters and a goalie due to injuries and deferred suspensions. The cats came out of the gate quickly, surging to a 10-0 lead in the first period while launching 30 shots at the Tech goal. MSU's defense held Tech to just six shots in the first.
The Bobcats scored five more in the second period to take a 15-0 lead. MSU continued their offensive onslaught in the third, adding seven more goals for a 22-0 win. Harrison made 61 saves, facing 83 shots in total.
Despite the tough road trip, Tech remains focused on improving and looks forward to its next challenges.
“I’m proud of these guys in the locker room. They’ve showed up all year, regardless of the challenges they’ve faced and the record that is behind them. They are committed to seeing the season though to build this organization into a long-term, stable, and competitive team.” Noted Head Coach David Rathgeber.
Up Next for Tech Hockey
The Diggers have three games remaining in the season. The next game will take place in Helena, MT, as the Diggers take on the MSU Bobcats again in the first round of the Montana Cup. Then, the team will wrap up their inaugural season by hosting the University of Idaho Vandals on Friday, February 28th and Saturday, March 1st at the Butte Community Ice Center.
