Original Article posted 2/5/11, updated 2/9/11
Due to some unfortunate circumstances, the SJSU Hockey team was not able to participate in the 15th Annual Royal Coach Tours Gold Rush Showcase. The other three participating teams did, however, play games. Here are the results:
Thursday, 2/3
San Diego State defeated Northern Colorado 2-1 in overtime late Thursday night. After two scoreless periods, SDSU found the back of the net with just over 8 minutes left to take a 1-0 lead. In a thrilling finish, UNC scored on the power play with 0.5 seconds left on the clock. However, the Bears were assessed a penalty during their celebration and SDSU capitalized on the power play to secure the OT victory.
Friday, 2/4
San Diego State continued their winning ways with a 5-2 victory on Friday night. The teams traded scores in the opening period with SDSU taking a 3-2 lead into the second period. Two quick goals early in the second chased Aggie starter Clair Gannon from the net and the Aztecs held on for the win.
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Saturday, 2/5
Texas A&M; and Northern Colorado squared off on Saturday night to close out the showcase and put on a quite a show for the sparse crowd in attendance. The Aggies jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a power play goal by Rick Tidwell. The Aggies extended the lead to 2-0 in the second period and 3-0 early in the third with their second power play marker of the contest. The tide shifted midway through the third period, though, as the Bears finally broke through with a power play goal by Travis Hitt with 9:55 remaining. Tripp Wheat scored three minutes later and the Bears peppered Aggie goaltender Tony Girard with shots in search of the tying marker. Girard was outstanding in the contest, eventually making 53 saves. Girard’s performance wouldn’t be enough, though, as with the clock winding down and Bears’ goaltender Brian Dean pulled for an extra attacker Hitt found the back of the net again with 16 seconds left to send the game into OT. The Bears’ 3rd power play marker of the game was followed up by one more, again by Hitt, with 1:54 remaining in the extra period to complete the dramatic three-goal comeback.