Game Results:

Long Beach State 2 VS San Diego State 3 (Shootout)

Long Beach State 3 Vs Cal State Northridge 2

Saturday January 26, 2019: Long Beach State (LBSU) 2 VS San Diego State (SDSU) 3

This was the second meeting between these two teams on the season. Long Beach State was looking to seek revenge from a loss earlier in the season, with this matchup being played on their home ice. It was the first game back for the beach since returning home from Colorado, and the game started with both teams looking a bit sluggish. There was no scoring in the first period. It was a defensive game with neither side giving up chances to the opposition. The play started to pick up in the middle frame as San Diego State would strike first on a goal 2 minutes in. LBSU was unable to capitalize on 5 power play opportunities in the period, which left the door open. SDSU did not fail to take advantage, as they scored on their only power play chance to make it 2-0. Something must have been said in the intermission, because the 3rd period looked like a different hockey game. Long Beach started to play with more urgency and began to create more scoring chances. San Diego’s goaltender made big save after big save to keep his team in front. Until Luke Miller was able to sneak one by him with less than 3 minutes remaining in the game. That goal gave LBSU new life and enthusiasm to complete the comeback. Matthew Hoeksema scored the game tying goal with only 8 seconds left in regulation. It was a mad scramble in front of the net and Hoeksema found it and tucked it into the lower left corner. The two teams were unable to score in the 5-minute overtime period, which would send the game into a shootout. Matthew Dove was the only player to score for Long Beach in 3 attempts, and San Diego scored 2 out of 3 to win the game.

Saturday February 2, 2019: Long Beach State (LBSU) 3 VS Cal State Northridge (CSUN) 2

It was senior night for the Long Beach State hockey team. Also, a critical game in the standings, because whichever team won would be the #1 seed for the WCHC playoffs. There was a certain type of buzz in the rink, and both teams seemed to feed off that energy. CSUN took advantage of a power play opportunity late in the 1st period to take a 1-0 lead heading into the locker room. Again, Long Beach found themselves in a hole which got deeper when Northridge scored again to take a 2-goal lead halfway through the game. LBSU showed resilience though, answering right back with a goal scored by Nicholas Schrepfer. That goal seemed to change the momentum in Long Beach’s favor. For the second straight game Matthew Hoeksema was able to score the game tying goal, but this time doing so with 4 minutes remaining in the middle frame. Northridge took three straight penalties, which gave The Beach a 2-man advantage. Matthew Dove continued his impressive streak of goals with another one with only 2 seconds remaining in the 2nd. That goal gave Long Beach a 3-2 lead heading into the final 20 minutes. Tyler Gealy and the defense took care of the rest, not allowing a goal in the 3rd period and sealing up an important win.

WCHC Playoff Schedule:

Friday February 8, 2019

G1: #4 Cal State Fullerton (CSUF) VS #5 UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) – 9:15 PM

Saturday February 9, 2019

G2: #1 Long Beach State (LBSU) VS Winner G1 – 7PM

G3: #2 Cal State Northridge (CSUN) VS #3 Loyola Marymount (LMU) – 10PM

Sunday February 10, 2019

Championship Game – 5:15PM

PC: Joseph Kling

By: Matt Leitner, Assistant LBSU Coach

February 4, 2019