Washington State earned a 6-4 non-conference win in Cheney Thursday night, keeping Utah Valley in search of their first win this season.
Although winless, Utah Valley proved quickly they were no team to sleep on. The Wolverines jumped on the Cougs to begin the first period with relentless pressure. Despite hard forechecking and a few scoring opportunities, WSU goaltender Alexei Kuhl held the door shut.
With six-and-a-half minutes remaining in the first frame, Van Rayner tipped home his 14th goal of the season on a shot from defensemen Lex Ballard to open the scoring. A weird bounce that fooled everyone on the ice was the opener but didn’t keep long-term separation between the two teams.
“The boys showed adversity, you know dug in, played hard and were able to shift the momentum back in our favor,” Washington State head coach John Lupinacci said.
Utah Valley answered right back just minutes later as Wyatt Porter found the loose puck on the doorstep. Porter’s goal from the top of the crease sent this contest into intermission all knotted up.
The Cougars began the second period quickly getting on the board. A high-sticking minor from Brayden Murphy allowed for a powerplay goal by the WSU captain Cole Carlson who danced his way in front for the Cougar lead.
Just a couple minutes later the Cougs were able to extend their lead. David Bushkin intercepted a pass in the offensive zone and sniped one by the glove of UVU netminder Brayden Baxter to make it 3-1 Washington State.
“I came in here to help win and I’m just happy to contribute. You know just get out there, get some minutes and put a W on the scoreboard,” Bushkin said.
Two more minutes pass and it was Bushkin again to extend the lead for the Cougars, as he tucked a breakaway goal on the backhand for his second of the night. WSU came out firing to start the second period and UVU looked out of sorts.
“When he produces, the team gets going. Bushy [Bushkin] likes to eat and tonight he got fed,” Lupinacci said.
Utah Valley took yet another penalty with under five minutes to go in the second frame, but didn’t quite crumble. Murphy put on a strong showing in the neutral zone, before he received help from line mate Adam Wiesenberg who fed him down low for a shorthanded goal. Murphy pushed it through the five-hole of Alexei Kuhl to cut the Wolverine deficit to two.
Although WSU started the period firing on all cylinders, they have been their own worst enemy this season. Just over a dozen seconds later a miscommunication from senior defenseman Sam Hembree and his linemates caused a loose puck to be clapped home by Braden Koliha.
A second shorthanded goal on the same penalty kill put UVU back within one on a nightmare special teams showing from WSU. The Wolverine bench erupted and momentum shifted into the direction of those in black and green sweaters.
Counteracting the Wolverine’s late second period push, freshman phenom Bushkin patiently netted another breakaway opportunity, completing the natural hat-trick in the second. The young rookie insured his team heading into the third with a 5-3 lead.
The Cougs started the third period putting themselves down a man. Sihvonen was called for hooking which led to a UVU powerplay less than a minute into the period. Walker Montgomery took full advantage of the man-advantage by shoving home a loose puck to bring the Wolverines within one again.
As time went on in the final regulation frame, the WSU offense began to surge yet again, producing more shots than UVU. Bushkin came inches away from his fourth of the night, ringing one off the crossbar.
Nearing the final six minutes of the game, a scramble at the Utah Valley crease allowed for Sihvonen to stash home a resting puck, to give the Cougars their third two-goal lead of the game.
“It’s been kind of tough since winter break so, it’s good to get up to speed a little bit,” Samuli Sihvonen said.
The Cougars would stymie the Wolverine offense for the remainder of the game, winning the contest 6-4.
“There’s not an ACHA team we can’t beat on the right day. So we just have to make sure we have that day,” Bushkin said.
The Cougars get back in the win column after a loss to UW, putting them at 13-13 this season. WSU will travel to Kalispell, Mont., to take on the University of Montana at 6 p.m. MST Saturday at the Woodland Ice Center.
