View from the top of Division II

Half of the WCRHL Division I teams participated this weekend in Huntington Beach.  The remainder will play next weekend in Corona and December 4-5 in Escondido.

 

After starting out with just 3 points out of their first 4 games at the kickoff event, Chico State hit the ground running at the Huntington Beach event.  Chico State went 3-0-1 on the day, defeating CSU Northridge, Sonoma State and UC Irvine, and tying California.  The game between Chico State and UC Irvine was a game played with great defense.  There was never more than a 1 goal lead the entire game, and Irvine led for most of the game.  2 goals from Garrett Beyers in the 3rd period sealed the deal for Chico State, as Beyers completed his hat trick.

 

UC Irvine sits tied with Chico State and Sonoma State after 8 games played, but they had a tougher weekend, gaining just 3 points with a record of 1-2-1.  Each loss was a well-played, 1-goal game.

Sonoma State went 2-2 on the weekend, but were 3-1 coming in, keeping them tied for 1st place in the division. 

Sonoma State, like Chico State, had a low-scoring, defensive game against UC Irvine.  Garrett Bordley scored the game winning goal with 3:03 remaining in the 3rd period, assisted by Zach Dunn.  Dunn earned the #1 star of the game, with 2 goals and 1 assist, factoring on all 3 SSU goals.  Dunn also sat 10 minutes in the box with 5 minor penalties, missing close to a full period of play.

 

California sits just behind Chico, Sonoma and UC Irvine, with just 1 loss on the season.  It’s the 5 ties that are keeping Cal from being at the top of the standings.  The team cannot be disappointed though, as they are in every game, and are earning that point.  They have to be happy with their scores from Huntington Beach, with 2 wins and 2 ties.