By Ryan Carlson (@RyanCarlson88):
San Jose State had its most promising weekend of the season. ‘
The team was able to produce a large amount of shots and score a number of goals which is what they have been missing for majority of the season.
The weekend started off like the Arizona weekend by losing 6-1 against Weber State. The following night the Spartans ran into a brick wall named Austin Hathcoat, San Diego State’s freshman goaltender who saved 41 out of 43 shots in a 9-2 Aztecs win.
After being outshot by quite the margin in previous games, the Spartans were able to register seven more shots on goal than a team who is now 10-1-1.
Throughout the weekend series, the Spartans came out strong every game keeping it close through the first couple periods, but come third period lose energy and have the game slip away.
On the final game of the weekend, the Spartans hosted Santa Rosa Junior College and got the offense they deserved from the previous game. The game ended in a 15-0 win and again they had the majority of shots on goal with 61 to Santa Rosa’s 20.
The Spartans tightened up the neutral zone making hard for all three teams to enter the offensive zone, however needs to do a better job at getting in front of net and blocking shots along with being able to execute on offense.
With nine games remaining and a long winter break ahead, this weekend’s games showed positive signs of a season on the upswing.
Looking forward, the Spartans are set to host Santa Clara University, a team they have seen once before this season, and Loyola Marymount University comes to town for back to back games against the Spartans.
The Spartans also get to be home for seven of the remaining games to give them home ice advantage against a number of skilled teams.