For the third consecutive year, the UCSD men’s hockey team came home as the Pacific Collegiate Hockey Association champions with a triumphant 6-3 victory over rival Cal State Northridge Matadors on Sunday in Valencia, Calif.
After beating the Matadors in an earlier round, as well as advancing past Cal State Northridge, Fresno State University and UC Davis in round-robin play, UCSD faced the team that handed them its only two PCHA league losses this season.
“”We gained valuable experience at our first-ever national tournament this year,”” said captain and defenseman Garen Gervey of the team’s earlier tournament. “”As a result, our intensity levels were much higher throughout this tournament than at any other four-game span during the season.””
UCSD managed to take a 1-0 lead in the battle. After the Matadors tied the game late in the first period, UCSD responded by scoring on the very next shift. The second period ended with the Tritons ahead 5-2 and controlling play in the opposition’s zone.
However, as the final period began, the Tritons had a man in the penalty box. Despite UCSD’s strong defensive work, the Matadors capitalized with a slap shot from the point, bringing the score to 5-3.
As the clock wound down, the physical play picked up from both sides. The Tritons prevented the Matadors from getting any more scoring opportunities with aggressive defense, and UCSD sealed the victory with an empty-net goal.
“”Every player on this team responded with a huge effort and helped us come away with an amazing third-straight championship,”” said goalie Scott Friedman.
When the final buzzer sounded, the UCSD players spilled onto the ice to celebrate the win and their third consecutive PCHA championship.
The team’s championship came during its first season competing in the American Collegiate Hockey Association as well as the PCHA. The move packed the team’s schedule with twice as many games.
“”Playing in two leagues and almost twice as many games this year was tough for everyone,”” said assistant coach Reid Hankins about why this championship meant more to the team. “”Like a family, we had our trying moments with each other. But when it counted, we pulled together as a team and came up big. It’s been a great year.””
