San Diego State University Hockey (0-6, 0-4 ACHA D1) has experienced several growing pains in their opening ACHA Division-1 season. Winless through their opening six games, the Aztecs will be hopping to earn their first win in of their three games on the East Coast.
That will not be easy, the club’s most recent two-game road trip saw them give up 19 goals through two games. The Aztecs were only able to tally three goals, which all came before they were shutout in the second game.
There’s still some positives to take from their opening losses. Their first games of the season, against the University of Colorado Boulder, were close throughout the full 60 minutes. Despite being outscored 19-3 by Colorado State University, that was largely inflated by a third period deficit of 12-1 through both games. The team must continue to be competitive in their upcoming road trip.
That will be tough with the cross-country flight. Plus, players are dealing with a virus spreading throughout the locker room and key skaters such as Cam Henderson are still recovering from injury.
In Buffalo, the team will face two teams on different ends of the ACHA.
George Mason University (2-5-1 ACHA D1) was one of the worst teams in ACHA Division-1 last season, finishing 58th/68 teams with a 6-17-3. This season has been more of the same for them, notching only 18 goals through eight games and not having a player scoring above a point-per-game.
To contrast, the Aztecs’ Gavin O’Bryan and Lucas Bellig are tied for team-lead in points with seven through six games. The Aztecs will hope to outscore George Mason’s struggling offense this Friday.
On Saturday, the Aztecs will take on West Chester University (4-3-1) who finished 29th in the ACHA’s final rankings last season. Their offense is humming through eight games, with six players having scored three-or-more goals so far this season.
On Sunday the Aztecs will face on another team, selected based on their results of the first two games. These games will be key for the Aztecs heading into a long-break from games. They will not play in November, when the ACHA begins releasing rankings.
For the sake of their upcoming ranking and confidence heading into a month-long hiatus, SDSU Hockey will be champing at the bit for their first win of the season.