Hockey hopes to go big against Utes

By Matthew Livingston

- Wed, 09/22/2010 – 19:52

Cougar hockey’s high-octane offense looks to shred an experienced and disciplined Skatin’ Ute defense as the teams renew their rivalry in BYU’s home opener Saturday night.

Last year, the Utes evened out the teams’ season series for the first time since their addition to the ACHA in 2006. Going from a winless first year to a 16-16 finish last season, accruing playoff votes, is all part of second-year Utah coach Jon Bertagnolli’s passionate vision.

“We only have a small group of returning players that are familiar with the program,” Bertagnolli said. “But we are prepared to compete. The excitement has spread through the whole school about our opener vs. BYU.”

Fifth-year goaltender AJ Boldan has watched Bertagnolli’s vision ignite team members. A record 56 hopeful hockey players participated in this year’s tryouts, and Boldan, who is also team president, feels they selected only the “best and brightest.”

“Veterans understand and are executing Jon’s vision, and new recruits are learning quickly,” he said.

Boldan refers specifically to senior defenseman Charles German and fourth-year forward Michael Vrtis. These core leaders see the character and skills the Utes need to play out their strategy.

“There will be great hockey this weekend, it always is down [at BYU],” Boldan said. “A lot of the freshmen probably don’t know what they’re getting into.”

Cougar freshman Bucky Storey knows exactly what he’ll be getting into Saturday. Storey scored a goal in his first period of collegiate hockey last weekend during the Cougar sweep of Boise State. He will continue to use skillful positioning and controlled fury to support his front-line teammates in the Cougar forecheck.

“If a guy has the puck, I’m gonna do what needs to be done to separate him from the puck,” Storey said with a grin. “I’m gonna take what’s mine.”

BYU’s starting line of Cam Hymas, Nate Hymas and Ryan Newton are pleased with the progress they’ve seen in Storey and other young forwards, like Ashton Ripley. They believe speed and passing are keys to success this week.

“The way we work the puck side to side, and our lightning speed will catch the [Utes] off guard,” Nate Hymas said.

The senior’s younger brother Cam, a computer science major, is impossible to slow down once he gets going.

Cougar coach Stan Weiss looks to balance this week’s attack by taking his dominant front line of the Hymas brothers and Newton, and mixing them in with the lines of younger forwards.

“Saturday will be a tough game, and I think we all know that,” Weiss told his players after practice Tuesday. “But when you younger players get a chance to play alongside a higher caliber, you will rise to that level. … You can always count on your seniors to be in the right place at the right time.”

The locker room has an air of expectation as the Cougars prepare for what they all view as a big game. Senior defensemen Josh Burkart has always viewed games against other Utah schools as the most crucial, expecially the University of Utah. In his colorful ACHA career, he has statistically played twice as good in games vs. Utah.

“Big players play big in big games,” said Burkart, a history major. “This in-state rivalry game is big for us right now.”

The game will take place Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at Peaks Arena. Bring a date and a coupon, which can be found at the BYU hockey Facebook page, for 2 for 1 admissions. A ticket from the Nevada football game is good for half off one admission.

Don’t forget we will be having a FABULOUS Chuck-A-Puck to celebrate our home-opener. So bring your “bucks” so you can “chuck” a puck!

VS