After a match against in-state rival Boise State Saturday, the Idaho men’s hockey club returns to Moscow for its first home game of the season.
“We held our own for the first half of the game against Boise State,” said junior goaltender Nick Grover. “We have been able to identify what we are lacking, so that is a good starting point for the team going into Saturday’s game.”
The Vandals will face a formidable Gonzaga opponent that has won four of its last five games. The two teams go head-to-head at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Palouse Ice Rink in Moscow.
Idaho possesses a roster primarily consisting of freshman this year after the team added 13 new players during the offseason.
Despite the relative youth of the squad, Grover said the backbone of the team is the upperclassmen’s veteran chemistry.
“Our veterans have played together before, which is a confidence boost to the team and demonstrates the kind of team we are to the rookies,” Grover said.
Freshman defenseman Kasey Peach has been instrumental for the Vandals on the ice, providing a daunting presence on defense in the team’s previous matchups.
Meanwhile, freshman forward Gavin Ingraham has stood out as one of the quickest Vandals on the ice.
Grover said the Vandals possess a strong presence in the net after the team added two new goalkeepers to the roster.
“Having three goaltenders allows us to compete against one another, ultimately making each of us a more skilled player,” Grover said.
The Vandals participated in the fifth annual Black and Blue Rivalry Game against Boise State at the CenturyLink Arena Saturday as part of a public fundraiser for Metro Meals on Wheels.
The meeting between the two teams raised over $32,000 for the charitable cause, which will help provide meals to seniors and disabled individuals in the Boise area.
The Vandals lost 9-0 to the Broncos after three periods of play.
Grover said the team prepared for the upcoming match with Gonzaga by scheduling additional team meetings outside of practice in order to review offensive schemes.
Gonzaga is travelling to Moscow after back-to-back victories against Portland State last weekend.
The Bulldogs claimed a 5-1 victory in the first game of the weekend series against the Vikings Saturday. In the following game, Gonzaga scored nine goals during the first period of play, exiting the rink with a 10-3 win over the Vikings.
Despite Gonzaga’s recent success on the ice, Grover said the team is excited for the matchup and the opportunity to finally play in front of a home crowd.
“Vandal hockey games have the most energy I have seen in any University of Idaho sport,” Grover said. “We pack the rink with fans as though we were a Division I team.”
Josh Grissom can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @GoshJrissom