Montana Tech Falls to Utah Valley in Halloween Showdown
After splitting with Eastern Washington University the previous week, Montana Tech University (Tech) hosted Utah Valley University (UVU) over Halloween and November 1st in Butte. Tech would fall to UVU in their two games with an 8-2 on Halloween and 8-0 the following night.
Game 1 Utah Valley University at Montana Tech
On a Halloween game with a special event for the holiday that included free entry with costumes, Tech hosted UVU.
UVU and its high-powered offense scored their first goal midway through the sixth minute on the power play and would add two more goals in the first period, including a shorthanded goal, to take an early 3-0 lead at the end of one.
UVU continued its offensive prowess, scoring five straight unanswered goals over the game’s three periods (three in the second and two in the third).
Tech’s Mike Mckay would stop UVU’s run with Tech’s first goal in the third period at 16:04, and Rory Petersen would add Tech’s second goal with 30 seconds left in the game.
Edward Kazmierczak would get the start in goal and face 67 shots, turning away 59 of those.
“I just get out there and try to do my best every time I step onto the ice, I try not to focus on the amount of shots I get until after the game, I like to think about the next shot rather then the previous. I try to stay out of my head and just play my game,” said Kazmierczak.
On the game, Kazmierczak said, “UVU is definitely a strong team. We went into the penalty box a little too much, but our penalty kill really stood out to me. I think we can play with any team in the league if we stay disciplined and play our game, “the goalie said.
Montana Tech’s Mike McKay would have a goal in the first game and is shown here working against a UVU skater.
Game 2 Utah Valley University at Montana Tech
In the second game of the two-game series, UVU was held off the board until midway through the first period. Then, it scored a pair of goals in the first period, followed by a four-goal second (one goal was scored on the powerplay).
In a physical third period that saw 12 penalties, Tech held UVU to just one powerplay goal despite the man advantage.
Aside from two goals, Tech’s penalty kill would fare well in the game as they killed off 9/11 penalties from UVU.
Butte goalie Brecken Kasse would stay busy between the pipes, making 52 saves.
“Facing over 30 shots is always rough, but I just hold my composure. If I let one in, I move on to the next and ensure I save the next shots,” said Butte Goalie Brecken Kasse.
