October 5, 2026
Salt Lake City, Utah
This past weekend the Utah Men’s Division 1 team faced off against Western Collegiate Hockey League rivals University of Oklahoma in the Utes home opener.
Friday’s game started with both teams testing each other’s defense. The Utes aggressive start managed to get several early shots on the Oklahoma goaltender #32 Anthony Lacroix.
The Sooners came out strong as well, but were not able to establish any offensive threats until the 8:52 mark of the first period when a puck bounced oddly off the Zamboni door and headed straight for the slot where #6 Mason Manderfield of the Sooners was able to get off a quick backhand shot that went in the net to get them on the scoreboard first, giving them a 1-0 lead.
The Utes tied the game with under 5 minutes remaining in the first period when #17 Nikolas Schwab scored his first of the weekend. #5 Ripley Garden and #19 Joseph Crowley assisted on the goal.
The score remained tied until just over half way into the 2nd period when #17 Nikolas Schwab secured his second goal of the night with assists from #11 Trevor Kruczek and #21 Matthew Delany.
Oklahoma tied the game halfway through the 3rd period when Oklahoma’s #7 Aaron Arnold snuck one past the Utes goalie #32 Garrett Fuller. Followed shortly by a go-ahead goal for the Utes #29 Max Workman making the score 3-2 with assists from #5 Ripley Garden and #24 Gavin Barr.
Up until this point of the game both teams battled hard and clean with only 4 penalties called by the officials.
However, with less than ten minutes remaining in the game, Sooners goalie Anthony Lacroix, took a major penalty and a game disqualification for fighting.
The Utes took advantage of the power play and scored late in the period with a goal by #7 Andrew Feldman with assists from #4 Eli Fletcher and #22 Cole Bisson.
This lead to a two goal lead for the Utes. Oklahoma was able to manage another goal late to close the gap to one. Oklahoma pulled their goalie and the Utes finished the night with an empty net goal with under 30 seconds left by #19 Joseph Crowley.
Final score was 5-3 for the Utes.
Saturday night told a different story. Without a flukey goal against, both teams remained tied at 0 throughout the 1st period.
Utah m1 started the scoring early in the 2nd period when at the 3:52 point of the period #4 Eli Fletcher put one in the net on a short break away with assists from #14 Chase Forry and #6 Gion Coray. Oklahoma tied the game up at 1 goal a piece just over half way in the period and the score stayed the same going into the 3rd.
With both teams tied, and needing a victory, the question remained “who was going to break the tie and win the game?”
That question was answered by #29 Max Workman who scored before the first 10 minutes had expired of the 3rd period giving the Utes a 2-1 lead. #9 Luke Goldberg and #24 Gavin Barr provided assist. A lead that would be held onto for the remainder of the game. Oklahoma had no answer for the speed and skill of the Skatin’ Utes. Passing and puck handling was on display as the Utes dominated puck control.
Not long after the go-ahead goal was scored, a shot came from the blue line. The puck hit the Sooners’ goalie and bounced towards the low slot area. #20 Tyler Sunagel managed to control the puck and showed a skill with the puck that left the goalie completely vulnerable and put home the puck making the score 3-1. The move was so stunning that most all of the fans in attendance gasped and then cheered loudly.
The game ended with a final score of 4-1with an empty net goal by # 17 Nico Schwab, and the Skatin’ Utes were able to get the weekend sweep.
GO UTES!!
Next games will be played at home against University of Arizona on October 16th &17th .
