The Beach entered a tough weekend coming off a 1-4-0-1 record through the last two weeks, With local rivals Fullerton and undefeated Northridge on the schedule, the Beach were looking to get on track.

Friday night was Greek Night at Lakewood Ice and over 300 fraternity and sorority members came out to support the Beach. It was a great atmosphere and the team would not disappoint. Defenseman Adam Stanovich put the Beach on the board early, while Tyler Galgas and Cale Bechtel followed up soon after, and the first period ended 3-0. Fullerton came out strong in the second and controlled much of the play early. They were rewarded with and capitalized on a power play and brought the game within two. Bechtel would later answer, with his second of three on the night, with a shorthanded rebound goal late in the second period. From that point the Beach continued to pile on the goals and lock the game down defensively. In the second of three meetings between the two teams, Long Beach took an 8-1 win and even the season series at one win a piece. The third installment will take place at the end of January when the Beach travel to Artesia in their last regular season game.

The next night, Long Beach had a huge test in Cal State Northridge. While the Matadors were undefeated, there was plenty of positive energy in the Beach locker room heading into the game. From the puck drop, it was clear to both teams that goals were going to come at a premium. Northridge put 34 shots on Beach goalie Nick Gonzalez, while the Beach managed 38 on Northridge net minder, Brandon Kalvoda. A charging penalty to the Matadors just past the half-way point in the third gave the Beach a power play. Unfortunately a tripping call a few minutes later would see the game go 4-on-4. The game quickly opened up with the extra ice and the teams had several back and forth rushes before Tanner Bleyle buried a pass from behind the net to put the Beach up 1-0 with less than five minutes to go in the game. While the Matadors pushed hard in the final minutes, the Beach was able to hold on for the win.

Next weekend, the Beach travel to Arizona to take on Grand Canyon University (Friday) and Arizona State (Saturday/Sunday). The Beach will return to Lakewood the following weekend for their final two home games of the Fall semester!

PC: Joseph Kling Photography