There was plenty of action Friday night as San Diego State Hockey Club took on Loyola Marymount University for its first home game in nearly three weeks.
The Aztecs maintained control throughout the whole game, but early miscues in transition halted their rhythm in a game that could have ended up in a blowout.
Sophomore goalie Connor O’Brien proved why he was recently named the No. 1 goalie, picking up his team after several turnovers in its own zone.
[quote] “I’ve said this before; guys have confidence in Connor and he deserves it. He’s a very smart kid and he works hard in practice,” head coach Chris Migliore said. “Tonight was probably his best game. He really controlled the tempo with some good saves and getting rebounds to the corners and things like that.”[/quote]
Solid shorthanded defense and an alert O’Brien helped the Aztecs carry a 2-0 lead into the third period. Even so, SDSU’s sloppy play ended up costing O’Brien the shutout as a turnover on its side of the ice led to an easy LMU score.
The Aztecs were much more fluid offensively in the third period and answered with two consecutive scores, extending their lead to 4-1.
Yet another mental lapse by SDSU sent two players to the penalty box with less than 2 minutes in the third period, leaving just three defenders to thwart the Lions’ offensive attack.
LMU scored easily in only 40 seconds, leaving themselves a sliver of hope with just a little more than a minute left. Down only 4-2, the Lions pulled their goalie in attempt to pull off a miraculous comeback, but SDSU senior forward Alex Cambas sealed the deal as his wrist shot went in the empty net with just 23 seconds left.
Coming off of an impressive hat trick performance in his last game, Cambas kept his hot streak alive with two more goals during Friday’s game.
[quote]”You know, I eat my Wheaties in the morning, that’s how the magic happens,” Cambas said. “I’m just having fun out there, that’s probably what leads to it. I look good and I play good.”[/quote]
SDSU will be back home for two consecutive games on Oct. 18 and 19 at the Kroc Center.
