The Gonzaga Bulldogs came down to the Palouse on Jan. 17 for a two-game series against WSU and left in tatters. Game one set the tone for the night with a 12-1 victory for the Cougs, while game two sang a different tune as the Cougs held on for a 9-7 win.
The first matchup featured four goals from WSU team captain Miles Seguin and two goals from senior forward Ian Gould and Kam Frederick. The offensive punch came from a series of attacks from up-and-down the roster as Gonzaga could not handle the all-out pressure.
In game two, the Cougs came out strong posting a score of 3-1 at the end of the first period and 7-4 at the end of the second. However, the third period came down to the wire as Gonzaga forward Finn Naghsh completed his hat trick making the score 8-7. The Cougs were still able to squeak out a win as Seguin picked up a last-minute insurance goal and solidified the win to close out the series.
Heading into the night, Gould had the opportunity to cap off his college career by breaking the all-time WSU points record. Despite the opportunity, Gould was focused on the experience with his team.
“The record will come and right it’s just about trying to enjoy the next few weeks with the team,” Gould said before the two games.
Gould’s experience and humility paid off as he put up a fantastic performance in the following two games and helped lead his team to back-to-back wins. With three goals and two assists between the two games, the senior set the new record.
Gonzaga head coach Brennan Cronk said he was impressed with how goalie Logan Clouthier and forward Chen-yu-Sun played in the first game, and that Sun has talent but has yet to break through due to bad puck luck.
Clouthier allowed 21 goals, but still put up a solid performance while having to shut down numerous quality offensive looks by the Cougs. Sun showed off his puck handling and shooting skills picking up three goals between the two games. The former roller-hockey player only recently started playing ice hockey and has adapted well.
WSU head coach John Lupinacci said the goal for the team is to be playing to get playoff ready.
The Cougs sit at sixth place in the Pacific Division but Lupinacci said they are aiming for fifth.
WSU has clinched their playoff spot and will compete in the PAC-8 playoffs later this year hosted at Eastern Washington University. Lupinacci also said he was excited for the third line of this Cougs team led by forward Van Rayner.
“Lots of teams have first and second lines, but not that many have that kind of depth,” Lupinacci said.
The third line contributed well with Van Rayner and Kam Frederick, both third-liners, picking up two goals each in the two games. Lupinacci went on to compliment the young defensive core for the Cougs mentioning both freshmen goalies, Alexei Kuhl and Michael “Drew” Ramsay.
Lupinacci said he was impressed with the two 18-year-olds being able to put up quality starts against talented competition who are in their 20’s.
After Friday and Saturday night’s 21-goal performance, the Cougs are looking playoff ready. The packed-out Palouse Ice Rink crowd was treated to quick, exciting and record-breaking hockey. WSU will go on to take on University of Southern California Jan. 24-25 as they now sit at 10-11.
