Puck Drop

A third of the game. That’s the average amount of time the Utah State University hockey team is playing with at least one man down each game so far this season. And that problem might be the team’s undoing against San Diego State, because the Aztecs don’t suffer many penalties. Their average time down? Six minutes a game. The Aggies will try to control the puck — and their tempers — when they face the Aztecs on Friday in Logan.   Starting defenseman Trace Farr said discipline is clearly an area of struggle. “Sometimes, me included, we have been getting wrapped up into all the emotions of the game,” Farr said, “and we are all working to be more disciplined during the play and after the whistle.” Farr has spent eight minutes in the penalty box so far this season. That puts him tied with team captain Josh Kerkvliet for third in missed minutes. Right ahead of them is Dagen Walton, with nine. Keegan O’Brien leads the team in penalty minutes; he has spent...

The Utah State University hockey team is excited to spend time with their fans off the ice as it co-hosts its first yoga event with campus recreation's fitness program on Thursday. The event goes along with the university's Weeks of Wellness campaign at the Aggie Recreation Center.  “This week is all about social wellness,” said Diane Meifert, USU’s marketing graduate assistant and the general manager of the hockey team. “This is a chance to exercise and be social and talk to people you don’t usually talk to.” Interacting with the community is huge, said Chris Cutshall, a fan favorite on the team. “This is our way to reach out and say thank you to the community,” Cutshall said. “Growing up, we were involved with organizations like this and events like this, and it influenced me massively.” While the team is hesitant for the yoga, as this is the first yoga class for some, they’re excited for the opportunity to show their appreciation to the fans. “They lov...

Both the Utah State University and Brigham Young University hockey teams will run aggressive defenses while the Aggies will also focus on controlling penalties at the game in Provo on Saturday. “They’ve had a weak defense in the past,” said USU head coach CJ Westlake. “I don’t think they have their top defenseman this year, either, and he brought a lot of depth.” Brent Ring, the president of BYU’s hockey team, said that not only has that player, Jacob Eisentat, resolved his eligibility in time to play on Saturday, but with their new players who’ve joined, they have “a full complement of defensemen.” Aggies’ wingman Brett Fernandez said USU’s strong offensive line will help out with defense. “We’ve been focusing more on our systems,” Fernandez said, “like forechecks and regrouping, things to help us get in the zone and out of the zone.” According to Ring, BYU is confident the Cougars will “run a good forecheck.” “We’ll rely on our speed, quickness and moving t...

The Utah State Aggies hockey team will be hosting its first player meet and greet before the home opener against the Weber State Wildcats on Friday. The team is looking forward to the opportunity for fans to get to know their favorite returning players and meet the new guys on the team. “ It’s a really nice way for fans to kind of get to know the boys, and this year we have a lot of new guys,” said Alison Meifert, the team’s facilities and operations manager. “It gets us more involved in the community and the hockey team is all about being involved in the community.” The Aggies' general manager Diane Meifert said that fans love the opportunity to interact with the players, such as fan favorite Chris "Cudi" Cutshall. "So many people have fallen in love with Cudi and won't miss a game because they want to see him play," Diane Meifert said. "Now they can meet some of the new guys and fall in love with them, too." Head Coach CJ Westlake ...

Utah State Aggies defenseman Rob Ducay has been cleared to play hockey after breaking his ankle on Sept. 25.  At 5:15 p.m., Ducay was with his teammates on the bus to the Boise State Showcase in Idaho just hours after being medically cleared by his doctor. Ducay said he was “feeling really excited for the first road trip up to Boise.”  “Yesterday was my first time skating since it happened last Tuesday,” Ducay said. “I’m taking it slow and monitoring it, but it won’t detract from my normal routine.” Head Coach CJ Westlake said having Ducay return to his defensive role is a “good thing” for the team. “Rob is a key defenseman,” Westlake said. “He’s a good player in the defensive zone and with penalty kills.” According to Kendra Gilmore, Utah State’s club sports athletic trainer, ankle stability and balance are crucial to keeping Ducay on the ice. “The plan is to keep it taped up and supported, and put some extra padding on it in case he gets hit by a puck...