First Half of UC Santa Cruz - Chico State Doubleheader Complete!

We are live up here in Woodland!  It was a cold morning, but the overhead heaters in the building are keeping us all toasty!  Norcal Indoor Sports is more than just hockey; they have batting cages and gymnastics as well.  Word is that they used to have a boxing ring...

 

 

Our 8am game featured UC Irvine and hometown team UC Davis.  UC Davis trailed by 4 points in the standings going into this game, but now sit just 2 points back, after a 5-4 win.  Davis went up 4-0 and UC Irvine didn't score until 6:17 remaining in the 3rd period.  Davis countered with a goal, making it 5-1.  From that point on it was all Irvine, scoring 4 straight goals to come within 1.  Their last goal was scored on the power play with 21 seconds remaining.  Irvine outshot Davis 36-19, but the Davis goaltender Daniel Connor stood tall for the win.

 

Immediately following was UC Santa Cruz vs. Chico State, in the first of their two matchups this weekend.  UC Santa Cruz dominated the first 2 periods, outshooting Chico 28-8, and going up 2-0.  Goaltenders were strong as well.  Chico State took off in the 3rd period, taking 22 shots and netting 6 goals.  2 of those goals were short handed (one being short handed and empty net).  Chico went up 5-3 with 2:08 left in the game, with a power play goal by Garrett Beyers, high to the glove side.  Santa Cruz pulled their goaltender with 2 minutes remaining, but an empty net goal by Beyers would put Chico ahead by 3.  Santa Cruz countered with a power play with 1:35 remaining, cutting the lead to 1.  One last empty net goal by Beyers would complete the hat trick, and seal the deal for Chico State, winning by a score of 6-4.  Chico State now sits 2 points ahead of Santa Cruz in the standings, but has played 1 more game.  The 2 teams will play again at 3:00pm this afternoon.  Count on it to be a physical game, with Santa Cruz looking to avenge this loss.