San Jose State No Match for SRJC Hockey

SRJC’s 18-2 win over San Jose State University last Friday proved there should be a mercy rule in hockey. To top off an already commanding lead, the Polar Bears scored 11 unanswered goals in the third period to topple their division rival.

From the moment the puck dropped, SJSU looked lost against the reigning Pacific Collegiate Hockey Association champions. It only took a minute before rookie defensemen Brandon Bronze slide one past the SJSU goalie. SRJC score three more to close out the first period before letting San Jose on the board in the second.

The Polar Bears took the point back on a power play, followed by Dylan Dixon’s first goal in an SRJC jersey. Chris Whitten would close out the second period with a shorthanded goal to put the score at 7-2.

Last season, the Polar Bears had trouble sustaining energy in the third period, but the final frame of Friday’s match proved to be the most exciting. New skater Jimmy Reed started SRJC’s goal frenzy a minute into the period, followed by Josiah Nikkel’s first goal of the night. Forward Ben Rivera sealed the Polar Bear’s victory with two back-to-back goals.

Three players, Whitten (7 points), Dixon (5 points) and John Keshishian (4 points), scored a hat trick, with Keshishian’s goals all coming in the third period. Defensemen Eric Zagacki scored his first point this season with an assist on Dixon’s power play goal. Freshman goalie Troy Tennison saw his first action of the season, playing the final 24 minutes of the game.

“Our team played well because every single person on the ice was productive,” Keshishian said. “The game helped settle us into the season and we’re looking forward to playing this weekend.”

SRJC will play two must-win PCHA games Oct. 4-5. The team will travel to Vacaville Friday to face UC Davis for the first time since the Polar Bears beat Davis in the PHCA championship game last February. The next day SRJC will return to Snoopy’s Home Ice to take on Sacramento State University. The Polar Bear’s third straight PCHA division game will start at 8:30 p.m. 

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