The wait is over and the Cougs are back on the ice! In a faceoff against the University of Idaho (0-1), a rivalry dubbed the “Battle of the Border,” WSU (1-0) showed out, beating their season-opening opponents 7-1.

WSU did well to pass the puck around. Defenseman Dalton Spitz, forward Brandon Smith and forward Miles Seguin each scored goals. Forward Garrett Donahue finished the night with two goals. The team also had five different skaters log an assist. 

Amidst all the synergy, one key starter still managed to stand out. Freshman forward Cole Carlson had three goals in his first career game as a Cougar, earning himself a hat trick in impressive fashion. Carlson’s goals were evenly distributed amongst the three periods.

UI managed to answer back eventually, with their single goal coming in the second period by forward Thomas Rountree to make the score 4-1 in favor of the Cougs.

After the game was delayed a day due to mechanical malfunctions at Idaho’s Palouse Ice Rink, the site of the match was moved to Cheney, to be played in Eastern Washington University’s recreation center. EWU was the home of the Cougars prior to last year’s renovations to the Palouse Ice Rink.

WSU will travel to Seattle this weekend to face University of Washington September 29 and 30 in the Kraken Community Iceplex.

The Huskies, who finished last season with a record of 25-2, are coming into the season as the reigning Pac-8 champions and will be a tough matchup for WSU, who lost all five of their matchups with UW last season. Carlson and the Cougars will strive to continue their hot start to the season against their tough in-state conference rival.