The San Diego State University men’s ice hockey team is off to a 7-1 start to the 2019-20 season. While near-perfect on the ice, the Aztecs have also shown they are not invincible.
SDSU suffered its first loss of the season in last weekend’s inaugural California Classic Showcase tournament by dropping a 4-2 decision to Loyola Marymount University, a team the Aztecs defeated, 9-5, in the teams’ season opener on Sept. 13.
SDSU regrouped to finish 2-1 in the eight-team tournament, held Oct. 10-13 at The Rinks-Lakewood ICE in Lakewood and Harbor City’s Skating Edge Ice Arena. The Aztecs defeated CSU-Fullerton, 3-1, in their second game and skated past CSU-Long Beach, 9-3, to close out the event.
The California Classic Showcase field included four teams from the host West Coast Hockey Conference and four non-WCHC teams, the Aztecs included.
The four WCHC entrants included LMU, Fullerton, Long Beach State and three-time defending conference champion CSU-Northridge.
Out-of-town teams included Colorado State, the University of Colorado Buffaloes and East Texas Baptist University.
Despite the opening setback to LMU, SDSU head coach Phil Bateman felt the Aztecs were, in his words, “clearly the best team at the event.”
“We didn’t play our best (in the opener) and were upset,” Bateman said. “The game looked similar with our win over Fullerton, then finally we had our jump versus Long Beach in a physical game that looked a lot like the Georgia games (4-1 and 11-4 wins by the Aztecs over the University of Georgia Sept. 27-28 in San Diego). The SDSU team is still a young team and inconsistency is still a part of their game despite the talent on the roster.”
PAC-men
The Aztecs host the UC Berkeley Bears in an important two-game series this weekend at the Kroc Center Ice Arena as both teams return to PAC-8 play. Games are scheduled at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19.
SDSU edged host UCLA, 6-5, in the teams’ conference opener Oct. 4 while Cal split its conference opening series with visiting Arizona State University Sept. 27-28, winning by a score of 3-0 and losing by the same score.
The Aztecs and Bears are starting to develop a history together. UC Berkeley edged SDSU by two points to finish on top of the PAC-8 South Division standings last season.
The Aztecs evened up the division standings with a win to start a season-ending two-games series in the Bay Area but the Bears won the regular season finale to clinch the division championship.
While SDSU was upset by the University of Oregon in the PAC-8 conference championship tournament opener in South Lake Tahoe last February, Cal went on to finish runner-up to the Ducks in the tournament’s championship game while dropping a 3-0 decision.
Oregon went on to compete at the west regional in Tempe.
SDSU finished 0-3 in three meeting with the Ducks last season, dropping 2-0 and 4-3 contests in which the Aztecs dominated statistically. SDSU let a 5-2 lead over Oregon slip away in a brutal 7-5 loss in South Lake Tahoe.
SDSU will play 14 games against PAC-8 teams this season. The Aztecs will play ASU four times (three on the road), and Cal, San Jose State University, the University of Washington and USC twice while hosting UCLA in the second game of the teams’ two-game series.
All 12 PAC-8 teams return from last season after the conference added five new teams as affiliate members for the 2018-19 season: Boise State, Eastern Washington, SDSU, San Jose State and Western Washington.
The North Division includes Boise State, Eastern Washington, Oregon, Washington, Western Washington and Washington State. Boise State and Eastern Washington tied for the 2018-19 regular season lead with 20 points, though Oregon upset the field to win the conference tournament championship.
The South Division includes the Cal Bears, SDSU, San Jose State, Arizona State, USC and UCLA.
Bateman said his team’s inaugural season in the PAC-8 was a positive one after leaving the WCHC.
“We’re playing schools with larger alumni bases,” the SDSU coach said. “It’s been very competitive so far.”
The PAC-8 placed four teams in the final Top 20 West Region rankings last season: Boise State (fourth), Oregon (ninth), Eastern Washington (17th) and UC Berkeley (20th).
The 2019-20 season looks a lot like the 2018-19 season in the early going, with some tweaks.
ASU (6-2 overall) swept visiting San Jose State by scores of 4-3 and 8-0 to face off conference play Sept. 20-21 before splitting two games with the Bears.
UCLA (1-2 overall) is 1-1 in conference play after splitting last weekend’s two-game series against Western Washington University (11-3 loss and 5-4 win).
USC (1-3 overall) is 0-2 in conference play following a pair of losses (6-5 and 6-0) to Western Washington on Sept. 27-28.
Western Washington is 3-3 in six matchups against PAC-8 competition, including 0-2 against Boise State.
Boise State is 3-0 against PAC-8 competition to face off the 2019-20 season with the two-game sweep over Western Washington and a 6-3 win over Eastern Washington on Oct. 7 in tournament play in North Dakota.
Eastern Washington is 0-3 against PAC-8 North Division foes after the loss to Boise State and a sweep by Oregon (7-0 and 5-2) on Oct. 11-12.
Oregon is 5-0 to start the season, including sweeps of Eastern Washington and the University of Washington (4-1 and 6-2) and a 6-2 win over Washington State on Oct. 13.
Washington State is 3-2 to start the season, with a 3-1 record in games against rival Washington, which is 1-4 with an overtime loss.
Delfino Varela, who led the Bears inline team to a runner-up finish in their division at April’s 2019 National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) national championship tournament in Rochester, N.Y., topped Cal in the scoring column to face off the 2019-20 ice hockey season.Derian Theberge, a Santa Clarita native who played youth hockey for the Valencia Jr. Flyers and L.A. Jr. Kings, tops the early season SDSU scoring chart with 10 goals while Artem Klein, an exchange student from Mannheim, Germany, tops the team with 15 assists and 22 points.
Freshman Ian Stentz, a Minnesota transplant, ranks second in team scoring with 19 points while Blake Reed, the 2019 Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League (ADHSHL) Offensive Player of the Year out of JSerra, has impressed with eight goals and 12 points in eight games.
Theberge led SDSU with two goals and one assist in the win over Long Beach State while senior Devyn Taras and Stentz both collected one goal and two assists. Klein contributed three assists while sophomore Elisha Reece scored two goals.
Artem Klein, Reece Breuckman and Blake Reed each scored goals for the Aztecs in the 3-1 win over Fullerton.
Theberge and Taras (Otay Ranch) scored goals in the tournament loss to LMU
Theberge, Stentz, Klein and Reed have been consistent point-getters to face off the 2019-20 season for the Aztecs.
SDSU AZTECS SCORING CHART
(Through Oct. 12)
Artem Klein 7 goals, 15 assists – 22 points
Ian Stentz 6 goals, 13 points, 19 points
Derian Theberge 10 goals, 18 assists – 18 points
Blake Reed 8 goals, 4 assists – 12 points
Elisha Reece 6 goals, 5 assists – 11 points
Brian Milner 3 goals, 4 assists – 7 points
Devyn Taras 3 goals, 4 assists – 7 points
Reece Breuckman 2 goals, 5 assists – 7 points
Aaron Mayer 2 goals, 5 assists – 7 points
Michael Pellegrino 3 goals, 3 assists – 6 points
Wesley Varrasso 1 goal, 5 assists – 6 points
Aiden Perez 0 goals, 5 assists – 5 points
Adrien Wisch 2 goals, 2 assists – 4 points
Callum McRae 0 goals, 3 assists – 3 points
Evan Kordovi 0 goals, 2 assists – 2 points
Connor Reid 1 goal, 0 assists – 1 piont
Brandon Roselli 1 goal, 0 assists – 1 point
Mickey Sullivan 1 goal, 0 assists – 1 point
Nick Ilvento 0 goals, 1 assist – 1 point
Mason Cook 0 goals, 1 assist – 1 point
Andrew Hoy 0 goals, 1 assist – 1 point
Curtis Maltby 0 goals, 1 assist – 1 point
Goaltenders: Nick Ilvento, 7-1 record, 3.00 GAA, 0.877 save percentage
Best in the west
Virtually all games in last weekend’s California Classic Showdown tournament proved highly competitive, with nine of the 12 games decided by less than three goals, seven games by two goals or less and four games ending with either a one-goal difference or in overtime.
East Texas Baptist finished 3-0 in the final standings while San Diego State, LMU and Colorado State all wrapped up tournament play with 2-1 records. Northridge and Colorado posted 1-1-1 records while Fullerton and Long Beach both finished 0-3.
Northridge finished 20-6-1 last season as the top team in California with a 10th seed to the ACHA Division II West Region tournament in Tempe. Colorado finished 18th in the final West Region poll in 2018-19.
The ACHA is currently the highest competition level for collegiate men’s ice hockey teams in California.
“This was our first attempt at the Cali Classic Showcase where we try to get some top out-of-town teams to come to Los Angeles,” LMU general manager Tyler Goeckner-Zoeller explained. “It was four WCHC teams and four non-WCHC teams. The event turned out great, very competitive and showcased the strength of the California hockey scene with LMU, CSUN and SDSU all doing very well.
“A big focus for the west (region) recently has been to participate in showcases because the west is geographically so big, it helps bring lots of different teams to one locale and bridges the divides to get more areas playing against each other. This also significantly helps the rankings process. Overall it was a big success and we look forward to it continuing next year.”
Game on
East Texas Baptist University entered the weekend event riding a club record-tying 10-game winning streak and ended weekend play 13-0 after sweeping its three tournament games.
The Tigers remained hot on ice with wins over Northridge (4-3 in overtime), Fullerton (5-2) and Long Beach (9-1).
San Diego State, LMU and Northridge finished with the best records among the five California teams entered in the field.
LMU defeated SDSU (4-2) and Colorado (6-4) before dropping its final game to Colorado State (5-2).
Northridge posted a 5-5 overtime tie with the Colorado Buffaloes before defeating Colorado State, 4-3, on the final day of the tournament.
CALIFORNIA CLASSIC SHOWCASE
Final Standings
East Texas Baptist University 3-0
Loyola Marymount University 2-1
Colorado State University 2-1
San Diego State University 2-1
CSU Northridge 1-1-1
University of Colorado 1-1
Long Beach State 0-3
CSU Fullerton 0-3
Tournament scoreboard
Game 1: LMU 4, SDSU 2
Game 2: Colorado State 5, Long Beach State 4
Game 3: East Texas Baptist 4, Northridge 3 (OT)
Game 4: LMU 6, Colorado 4
Game 5: SDSU 3, Fullerton 1
Game 6: East Texas Baptist 5, Fullerton 2
Game 7: Colorado State 5, LMU 2
Game 8: SDSU 9, Long Beach State 3
Game 9: Northridge 5, Colorado 5 (Northridge wins 6-5 shootout tiebreaker)
Game 10: East Texas Baptist 9, Long Beach State 1
Game 11: Northridge 4, Colorado State 3
Game 12: Colorado 9, Fullerton 2
LMU 4, SDSU 2
Thursday, Oct. 10 at Skating Edge Ice Arena
The Lions scored first and never trailed in the game as the teams closed out their two-game series for the season 1-1.
LMU received two goals from Brian Clem and single goals from goals from Justin Hertz,and freshman Gabi Rodriguez, who scored his first collegiate goal.
The Aztecs dominated the shot count 52-37 but LMU goaltender Jason Footlick made 50 saves to stymie the rapid-fire SDSU offense.
Hertz scored the only goal of the first period. Devyn Taras tied the scored 1-1 on the opening goal of the second period, assisted by Elisha Reece and Ian Stentz. However, Clem scored his first goal of the game late in the period to stake the Lions to a 2-1 advantage through 40 minutes.
The teams remained separated by one goal deep into the third period. Derian Theberge tied the game, 2-2, at 15:53, assisted by Artem Klein and Blake Reed. But the game did not remain tied long as Rodriguez scored at 17:22 to put the Lions back in front. Clem added his second goal of the game at 19:18 to finish scoring.
SDSU goaltender Nick Ilvento stopped 33 of 37 shots in the loss.
SDSU 3, FULLERTON 1
Friday, Oct. 11 at Lakewood Ice
The Titans scored first at 15:46 of the first period by Eric Bampenchow, assisted by James Maloney. The Aztecs did the rest of the scoring in the game to prevail on the scoreboard.
Artem Klein tied the game, 1-1, with an unassisted goal at 13:17 of the second period. Reece Breuckman gave SDSU its first lead of the game at 16:16 of the middle stanza, assisted by Elisha Reece and Wesley Varrasso.
Blake Reed closed out scoring at 19:35 of the third period, assisted by Mason Cook.
The Aztecs dominated the shot count – 46 to 14 – despite winning a nail-biter.
Fullerton’s Gabe Zelico made 43 saves in absorbing the setback while SDSU’s Nick Ilvento stopped 13 of 14 shots to pick up the win.
SDSU 9, LONG BEACH STATE 3
Saturday, Oct. 12 at Lakewood Ice
SDSU broke out to a 5-0 lead in the game against Southern California rivals. The Forty-Niners closed the gap to 5-2 but the Aztecs roared ahead 7-2 and tacked on the final two goals of the game after Long Beach scored its third goal.
Derian Theberge led SDSU with two goals and one assist while senior Devyn Taras and freshman Ian Stentz both collected one goal and two assists and Artem Klein contributed three assists. Elisha Reece scored two goals. Other Aztecs goalscorers included Brandon Roselli, Brian Milner and Blake Reed. Adrien Wisch, Wesley Varrasso and Micheal Pellegrino each picked up one assist. Goaltender Nicl Ilvento stopped 26 of 29 shots to pick up the win.
SDSU out-shot Long Beach State 41-29.
Ryan Conover, Ryan Osterkamp and Ryan Schlerf each scored single goals for the Forty-Niners. Adam Moroz made 23 saves on 28 shots faced while Long Beach State teammate Rex Brandon stopped nine of 13 shots faced.
WCHC Faceoff
The University of San Diego, braced by a full roster, faced off 2019-20 conference play 2-0 with a 6-5 overtime win over Chapman on Oct. 5 and a 7-5 win over UC San Diego on Oct. 13.
Basi Morond scored the game winner against Chapman. Morond (four goals, one assist) and Brett Roenick (one goal, four assists) both tabulated five points in the win over UC San Diego.
The Toreros have a busy upcoming weekend with a road game at Fullerton on Friday, Oct. 18, and home games against Long Beach (Oct. 19) and UC San Diego (Oct. 20).
AZTECS SWEEP GEORGIA BULLDOGS IN TWO-GAME SET TO PUSH EARLY SEASON RECORD TO 4-0
Sept. 27 at Kroc Center Ice Arena
Ian Stentz 1 goal, 1 assist
Adrien Wisch 1 goal, 1 assist
Aaron Mayer 2 assists
Devyn Taras 1 goal
Blake Reed 1 goal
Aiden Perez 1 assist
Nick Ilvento, 1 assist, 29 saves
Period 1: Ian Stentz (Aaron Mayer, Nick Ilvento)
Aztecs lead 1-0
Period 2: Adrien Wisch (Aaron Mayer)
Period 2: Devyn Taras (Adrien Wisch, Aiden Perez)
Aztecs lead 3-1
Period 3: Blake Reed (Ian Stentz)
Aztecs win 4-1
Sept. 28 at Kroc Center Ice Ice Arena
SDSU top performers:
Artem Klein 3 goals, 4 assists
Derian Theberge 2 goals, 2 assists
Wesley Varrasso 1 goal, 2 assists
Aiden Perez 1 goal, 2 assists
Ian Stentz 3 assists
Elisha Reece 2 goals
Blake Reed 2 goals
Reece Breuckman 2 assists
Aaron Mayer 1 assist
Devyn Taras 1 assist
Callum McRae 1 assist
Nick Ilvento 23 saves
Period 1: Blake Reed (Reece Breuckman)
Period 1: Wesley Varrasso (Ian Stentz, Artem Klein)
Period 1: Elisha Reece (Aiden Perez, Devyn Taras)
Period 1: Artem Klein (Ian Stentz)
Period 1: Elisha Reece (Wesley Varrasso, Aiden Perez)
Period 1: Artem Klein (Derian Therberge, Callum McRae)
Aztecs lead 6-0
Period 2: Derian Theberge (Artem Klein)
Period 2: Aiden Perez (Derian Theberge, Artem Klein)
Period 2: Blake Reed (Aaron Mayer, Reece Breuckman)
Period 2: Derian Theberge (Artem Klein, Ian Stentz)
Aztecs lead 10-2
Period 3: Artem Klein (Wesley Varrasso)
Aztecs win 11-4
