Both WSU and the University of Idaho club hockey teams call the Palouse Ice Rink home. However, after Friday and Saturday night matchups, the Cougs solidified themselves as the top dogs on the Palouse.
On Friday, WSU came away with a nail-biting 5-3 win on the Vandals’ senior night. Saturday night featured a packed-out crowd of both Cougs and Vandals alike and ended in a 10-2 Cougar victory giving them a 4-0 season sweep against Idaho.
Sophomore forward Cole Carlson kicked off the scoring Saturday 30 seconds into the first period, giving the Cougars a 1-0 lead. Idaho forward Oliver Keefe responded quickly, tying the game at 1-1.
The Cougs proceeded to put up nine straight goals making it 10-1 in the third period. The nine goals came off of Carlson’s second of the night, two from junior forward Miles Seguin, two from junior forward Van Rayner, one from freshman forward Ryan Brenner and three from senior forward Ian Gould to give him a hat trick. Vandals defenseman Josh Mangeau picked up a goal late in the third, but the damage had already been done.
With the regular season and playoffs over for the Cougs, the last two games were for bragging rights, which they secured with ease. The two matchups also gave quality reps to the members of the Cougar squad as they prepare to lock in for next season.
WSU ended the year with a record of 11-15 and faced off against the University of Washington in the first round of the PAC-8 playoffs. The Cougs’ first line was electric all year, featuring Seguin, Carlson and Gould putting up a combined 94 points. However, with Gould graduating after this season, there is an open spot on the team’s top line.
The second line includes freshman forward Max Lazzaro, junior forward Samuli Sihovenen and junior forward Brandon Smith. All three of the skilled skaters will compete to fill the void left by Gould’s departure. Lazzaro racked up 14 points last season but was one-upped by Sihovenen who clocked in 15. Smith had a solid presence on the ice, but it did not reflect on the score sheet as he only picked up two points through 23 games.
Although these second-liners will be gunning for that first-line spot, there is another suitor for the position who will be a name to watch out for heading into next season. Rayner was on a war path all season, tallying up 17 points, fourth on the squad.
Rayner, along with junior forward Kam Fredrick and senior forward Jack Morrell, made up a talented third line all last season. They added depth to the team and kept the team competitive in tough matchups. With Morrell also graduating, the lines will need serious remodeling, possibly allowing Raynner to fill Gould’s shoes on the top set of forwards.
The Cougs have some restructuring to handle this offseason before returning to a competitive mindset for the 2025-26 season. Cougar fans will be able to get a sneak peek into next year’s lineup when WSU holds their prospect camp at 8:45 p.m. on April 11 and 9 a.m. on April 12, both at the Palouse Ice Rink.
