Recap: Dramatic shootout victory for USC over LMU, 6-5

Harbor City, CA - After a five week break for the winter (except for a single practice this past Monday), the USC Trojans (8-8-1) kicked off the spring semester with a 6-5 shootout win (Game Log | Box Score) over the Loyola Marymount Lions (6-11-0) in front of a raucous hostile crowd in Harbor City on Thursday night.

The game was the start of a three-game weekend for the Trojans, who have won 6 of their last 8 games, including against then-6^th ranked San Diego State to go into the break. The win completes a sweep of the annual Century Cup series between USC and LMU, with the Trojans having taken the previous two meetings (5-2, 6-5).

The Century Cup was supposed to have been presented to USC last night, however LMU failed to bring the trophy to the game.

The Trojans were led by the offensive tandem of senior Adam Zacuto (2 goals, 2 assist) and sophomore James Huebner (2 goals, 1 assist), as well as the goaltending of junior Eric Chiccone during the shootout (24 saves).

The first period got off to an electrifying start with Zacuto scoring USC’s first two goals: the first with an assist from James Huebner just 3 minutes into the game, then again shortly afterward while shorthanded (unassisted).

About a minute after the second goal, LMU responded with their first goal of the game, on a power play by Nick DelBueno (Michael Indigaro, Robert Yanotta) after USC’s Ryan Manning was called for slashing.

USC’s Hank Griesbach scored unassisted to extend the lead to 3-1. LMU’s starting goalie, Tyler Payne, was replaced by Vitto Banez after allowing the 3 goals on just 6 shots.

Total shots-on-goal for the game was 32-29 in USC’s favor.

The physicality of the match picked up when Luke Walker delivered a bone crushing hit on an LMU attacker late in the period that sent the Lion’s stick flying in the opposite direction than his body.

With just 7 minutes before the first intermission LMU’s Indigaro (Kevin Keomanee, Kyle Burch) cut into the lead and the period ended with USC maintaining a 3-2 advantage.

The 2^nd period was more physical and defensive in nature. USC’s Huebner scored his first goal of the game trailing on a 2-on-1 shorthanded breakaway, receiving a pass on the weak side from Zacuto and putting in the backhand to extend the Trojans’ lead to 4-2.

Three minutes later, the Lions answered with their own shorthanded goal to make it 4-3, when Jack Hyman blocked a slapshot from the blue line that careened toward center ice, leading to a 1-on-0 breakaway for Hyman, who put it around USC goalie Eric Chiccone.

Emotions boiled over for both teams with 19 seconds left in the 2nd, when a couple of LMU players got too close to Chiccone and a shoveling match broke out in and around the USC crease. However, no penalties were called and the teams went into the locker rooms with the score at 4-3 USC.

The Lions mounted a strong comeback in the 3^rd period. LMU took advantage of an interference call on Max Ernst halfway through the period, and scored the power play goal (Hunter Costin, assisted by Yanotta) to tie the game up at 4 goals apiece.

Another penalty on USC with 3:27 left (Tom Duffy – 2 minutes for slashing) almost proved costly for the Trojans, as LMU’s Jim McDonald (Kalei Tipon) scored just 6 seconds into the power play to take the lead, 5-4.

The Lions’ aggressive forechecking contained the Trojans in the USC zone for most of the remaining time, preventing Chiccone from reaching the bench for the extra attacker until just 40 seconds remained.

LMU had an opportunity to put the game away after gaining possession of the puck in the neutral zone with an empty net, but shot the puck wide. A subsequent blown whistle for a dislodged net allowed USC to call a timeout with 25 seconds remaining to set up one last push; however the faceoff remained on the USC end, forcing Chiccone back into the net.

After the faceoff, the Trojans grabbed the puck behind the net, and Mike Mowrey stretched a pass up to Zacuto, who drove to the net and passed off to Huebner who buried the equalizer with just 3 seconds remaining on the clock, sending the game into overtime with the teams tied 5-5.

The Trojans carried the momentum into the 4-on-4 OT period and outshot LMU 3-1, but with no goals for either team, the game went to a shootout.

ACHA shootout rules are similar to the NHL, with 3 players from each team having an opportunity to go against the opposing goalie, followed by 1-and-1 if still tied after the initial three.

Both goalies stood their ground, keeping denying the shooters through the first 4 rounds.

Shooting for USC were Zacuto, Huebner, graduate David Knight, and junior Corey Newman, who were all stopped on their attempts.

Finally in the fifth frame, USC graduate Ryan Kucinski deked to his right and sent a forehand wrister past Banez, leaving LMU having to answer to keep the game going.

However Chiccone had other plans, and with his fifth consecutive shootout save, captured the win and the Trojans rushed the ice to celebrate their win and sweep of the season series.

The Trojans continue their weekend tonight and tomorrow in Anaheim against the visiting 6^th-ranked (and PAC 8 newcomer) Utah Utes (19-6-0), who defeated 7^th-ranked SDSU (12-10-0) last night 3-1.

Warmups for tonight starts at 8:20; tomorrow, 7:15pm.

LMU hosts SDSU in Harbor City on Saturday.

Player Profile: Dante Caravaggio

Dante Caravaggio is a 21-year-old senior at the University of Southern California majoring in Chemical Engineering with a Petroleum emphasis. Born in Southern California, Dante has moved around the map but most recently calls Newport Beach, California home. He has three siblings: Alex, 19 (and also a goalie for USC); Lauren, 16; and Nicholas, 15.

Growing up, Dante played soccer and swam competitively. However, when the future ‘SC defenseman saw “The Mighty Ducks” movies in first grade, he began playing roller hockey, then in second grade he made the transition to Ice Hockey where he played for the “Irvine Ice Puppies.”

Having played forward most of his life, Dante came to the realization that he was better suited as a defenseman and ultimately became more successful on the ice after making the switch. “At a certain point, though, you find out if you are capable of scoring goals at higher levels [.] I was physical but lacked the ability to produce consistently. Defense kept me playing at the higher levels through high school.”

Not surprisingly, the hockey world in Southern California is quite small, so it should come as no surprise that Dante and USC teammate, senior Adam Zacuto, unknowingly crossed paths when they were much younger. They skated together during the Under-16 and Under-17 USA Pacific Development Camps in Washington. This camp was a distinct honor as only the top 30 players of each position from six states are invited to participate.

Dante also had the privilege of playing AA Midget in Calgary for the Bruins during his junior and senior years in high school. At USC, he was Rookie of the Year (2009), Defensive MVP (2009, 2010), and was named Second Team All PAC 8 in 2010, which he says, “was a surreal experience.”

With more than enough memories to last a lifetime, Dante feels that some of his “favorite hockey memories stem from skating on lakes and outdoor rinks with friends and family when we lived in Calgary, Alberta. Alex and I loved how unique of an experience it was [.] We can’t get that type of atmosphere in California, Houston or anywhere else we’ve lived.”

Family is near and dear to Dante’s heart and he cites his family as his source of inspiration that pushes him and ultimately keeps him going. “I draw inspiration from a lot of sources, but my family has always kept me pushing my limits. I helped train my brother Alex in high school for his junior year. He had already won several awards on previous teams, but he continued to set his sights higher […] He has given up everything since age 12 to play hockey, and somehow he isn’t sick of it. This really kept my love for hockey alive, as I have been prone to injury throughout my life, and sometimes it’s hard to find motivation to keep the skills high.”

After graduating this May, Dante will move to Dallas, Texas where he will work for Encana as a petroleum engineer. A hockey player in every sense of the word, he hopes to find an adult hockey league there to continue playing the game he loves.

1. Full name: Dante Matthew Caravaggio
2. Favorite NHL team? Calgary Flames or Anaheim Ducks
3. Best advice you ever received? Don’t always live in the present, or you’ll lose your way.
4. Favorite pre-game meal? Spaghetti & Meatballs
5. What do you do to pass the time on the plane when you fly to away games? Sleeping, reading, and listening to music, typically. I love flying.
6. What do you do to pass the time between games when you are on the road? Every guy on this team I’ve met over the four years has been hilarious. Between games on the road, going out anywhere is usually a good story.
7. Favorite away game location? Oregon
8. Before each game, I must…stay focused or I’ll end up too loose on the ice.
9. What would I find in your refrigerator right now? Frank’s Red Hot sauce, leftover pad thai, and a bottle of wine. Not much else, actually.
10. If you could trade places with any NHL player, living or dead, who would it be and why? Jerome Iginla because he lives the dream. Calgary loves him, and I hope they never trade him.
11. If Hollywood were to make a movie about your life, who would play you? Ben Schwartz
12. What would the title of your movie be? Livin’ La Vida Loca
13. If you could time travel to any time before our own, which would it be and why? Yesterday. I’m now rethinking my choice of going to Chipotle and El Cholo in the same day.
14. Cats or Dogs: Dogs
15. Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate
16. Favorite pasta shape: Penne
17. What is your favorite language other than your native language? Italian, unfortunately I do not speak it.
18. Your favorite color M&M? I eat them so fast I couldn’t tell you.
19. The Zombie Apocalypse is here! Who on your team survives, is the first killed, the one who has a plan to survive such an event, and the one who has secretly been a zombie all along. Everyone in the hockey house dies except Hite and Alex because they have zombie plans. Ernst dies prior to infection while cooking up too much crack. Elliot and Noah die by trying to bite zombies themselves. Mowrey and I fight until we’re starving and tired, and then get lazy and superman dive into a pile of zombies. Yen dies while dancing in the common room. Dave was a zombie the whole time. James was missing.
20. Favorite holiday. Why? Christmas. Everyone is happy during the Holidays.
21. If you owned your own hockey team, what would you name it? Cheese Wranglers
22. Coke or Pepsi? Coke
23. Do you prefer hot or cold weather? Hot
24. Do you have a nickname? Nope.
25. What is your signature dish? Kraft Dinner
26. Most recorded show on your DVR? Sadly I don’t record TV
27. If you were an animal which would you be? Pterodactyl
28. What is the last book you read? The Sun Also Rises – Ernest Hemingway. Surprisingly no, it wasn’t for a class.
29. What super power would you have? Fly
30. Favorite pick up/wing-man line? –Without any introduction: “Have you met my friend?” compliments of Mike Mowrey
31. Your favorite meal? Chipotle Burrito
32. How did you decide on your jersey number? I chose 2 because it’s been a frequent part of my hockey life. Somehow, tryout after tryout and camp after camp, the number 2 always came up. I decided not to fight it, and just wear number 2.

Editorial: NBC LA drops the ball; interrupts Winter Classic

EDITORIAL

Boy, did NBC Los Angeles (Channel 4) show its true feelings and ignorance of hockey on this one (I had other more colorful phrases I wanted to use, but decided to show a modicum of self-restraint).

Now, I know that Southern California isn't known as a traditional bastion for the sport of hockey, but it's certainly up and coming enough to be home to TWO National Hockey League teams (the LA Kings and the Anaheim Ducks, who actually won the Stanley Cup championship in 2007) and a smattering of a few minor league teams. The local ice rinks are filled to capacity with men's and kids' leagues, and high schools are now getting into the act. In fact, if it wasn't for our 16+ year relationship with The Rinks - Anaheim ICE, it would be nearly impossible to find ice time to host USC hockey games (many ice slots at all rinks are booked a year out, unless you wanted 4am or 12am times).

For those not familiar with the NHL's Winter Classic, here's the long and short of it: They build a hockey rink at an outdoor venue, and two of the more well known teams go at it at the beginning of the new year. This season, the Winter Classic is at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia (home to baseball's Phillies), and features the New York Rangers versus the hometown Flyers.

Just how big is this event? With social media now the gauge of all things, "Winter Classic" was trending on Twitter not only in Los Angeles, but worldwide.

Such an auspicious spectacle calls for NBC to even dust off and wheel out Bob Costas.

Another point of context for those not familiar with hockey: The annual Winter Classic is just about as high profile an event for the NHL as the Super Bowl is for the National Football League, possibly second only to the Stanley Cup Finals.

So what happened at approximately 12:02pm PST on Monday, January 2, 2012 caused what I'm sure I can describe as a collective scream of anguish and despair from LA-area hockey fans. Just after the NBC mothership started their coverage of the Winter Classic at noon, Channel 4 News butted in with "Breaking News."

My hockey-oriented mind raced through the possible scenarios that could have warranted a preemption of such a televised event. Had Japan suffered another massive earthquake? Did Stephen Hawking just confirm the Mayan calendar's prediction that the world will end in 2012? Did a nuclear World War III just break out?

I certainly had plenty of time to come up with such major catastrophes, since the "Breaking News" graphic alone lasted a full THIRTEEN SECONDS.

It was a bit of local news. The area of north of Downtown LA has been hit by a recent rash of arson fires, and they had just captured the suspected arsonist at 3am this morning. Let's be clear, this by no means is a small incident... the arsonist caused over $2 million in damages and terrorized the area for several days.

But does one interrupt the Winter Classic for a news conference about the capture, which happened 9 hours prior? Would you interrupt the Super Bowl? Here are some interesting tidbits for your consideration:

- ABC 7 did not interrupt coverage of the Outback Bowl to break to the press conference;

- CBS 2 did not interrupt their broadcast of The Young and the Restless;

- Most of us probably already heard about the arrest through reliable online sources, such as TMZ.com;

The information given at the press conference could have been summed up with the following statement: "We caught someone -more details later today."

Even Ana Garcia, the NBC newswoman who unwittingly and inadvertently became face of all who hate hockey, stated, "[T]he police aren't saying an awful lot."

While the "Breaking News" segment carried on for what seemed to be forever, as I hung on every word not because I was hoping for more details but rather wondering when the talking heads would stop talking, they got us back just in time for the national anthem.

But the damage was done. When I should have been taking in the moment, the pageantry of the Winter Classic, I was instead driven to contact NBC 4 to express my opinion and was motivated to take to this editorial. And I can't be the only hockey fan with similar feelings.

I certainly hope the NBC mothership catches wind of this, since one of their spawn decided it had found a more newsworthy event than the Winter Classic, which had been promoted for months. And the NHL can't be too happy, with Southern California being such a unstable market for them to warrant this level of disruption to their marquee game.

I hope, for NBC LA's program director's sake, that the coverage of non-news was worth creating a legion of hockey fans who hate Channel 4. Good on you, mate.

To send feedback to NBC 4, go to http://www.nbclosangeles.com/contact-us/

Johnny Nguyen is Assistant General Manager of USC Ice Hockey, and a USC alumnus. This editorial reflects his views alone, and does not necessarily represent statements or opinions by USC Ice Hockey or the University of Southern California.

USC upends #6 San Diego State

The USC Ice Hockey team gave their fans reason to celebrate the holidays early. In one of the most anticipated matchups of the semester, USC upset 6th-ranked San Diego State Aztecs 6-3 (box score) on Friday night at The Rinks in Anaheim, California.

The last time these two teams met on September 30, USC had yet to find their chemistry. Fresh off summer vacation, the Trojans failed to form a cohesive unit and ultimately fell to the Aztecs 7-2 in San Diego in just their second game of the season.

Friday night proved that they are not only a solid team, but a force to be reckoned with. The fans were privy to a completely different team than the one seen in September. After a difficult last couple of weeks with finals and a loss to Long Beach State, the Trojans made the most of every second they were on the ice.

Just a few minutes into the first period senior Hank Griesbach delivered a gritty check that got the crowd riled. At that moment, the fans knew that USC was there to play. The Trojans victimized the Aztecs on special teams, scoring on three of six power plays while killing off three of four USC penalties.

Five different Trojans scored, led by sophomore Thomas Waschenfelder with two goals, netting one on a power play and capitalizing on the empty net at the end of the game. Freshman Cory Newman and Senior Dante Caravaggio also scored on the power play, while Sophomore James Huebner and Senior Adam Zacuto contributed with an even-handed goal each. In addition, goalie Eric Chiccone made was a barricade in net against the Aztecs, stopping 43 shots on the way to earning the win.

This game marked the beginning of winter break for USC. The Trojans return in the Spring with a major homestand, having eight of 10 games at Anaheim ICE and the two road games being local. They will face Loyola Marymount, Utah, UCLA, Oregon, and Cal State Fullerton. Their first game will be against LMU on Thursday, January 12 at Skating Edge Ice Arena, starting at 8:15pm, immediately followed by a back-to-back series against PAC 8 newcomer Utah on Friday & Saturday in Anaheim.

The remaining games are against UCLA, Oregon, and Cal State Fullerton.

Player Profile: Adam Zacuto

This week’s featured player profile is the Trojans’ resident sniper Adam Zacuto!

Hailing from San Clemente, California, Adam is a 21-year-old senior at USC’s Marshall School, just months away from graduating with a major in Finance.

Adam and his neighbor watched the Mighty Ducks movies and were instantly inspired to skate. “[We] watched the [movies] and thought it looked pretty fun. We started out playing in our street and things took off from there.”

At the age of five, Adam enrolled in his first roller hockey lesson. After a couple years he made the transition to ice hockey and has not turned back since. “I love the speed and physicality of the game – I honestly don’t think there is any other sport that compares to the adrenaline rush you feel on the ice.” It did not take long for him to realize that his love of scoring goals outweighed his desire to stop goals from happening, “[Playing] forward was an easy choice.”

Among the numerous hockey memories that he has accumulated throughout his hockey-playing career, Adam cites two particular moments as the most memorable. In 2007, Adam was given the distinct honor of making the Under-17 USA Hockey National Development Camp at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Later that same year, his team, the LA Selects, made it all the way to the semifinals at their national tournament. To say the least, it was a fantastic year of hockey for Adam.

Behind every success story there is a source of inspiration and Adam has been fortunate enough to grow up with a family full of it. “Both of my grandfathers were successful entrepreneurs with unbelievable work ethics. Their accomplishments are an inspiration to me everyday. My maternal grandparents were also Holocaust survivors. Their resilience inspires me to overcome whatever problems I may face in life. My dad also runs a non-profit and dedicates his life to helping foster children – he is an inspiration to me, as well!”

This season Adam has been a goal-scoring machine and a major asset, with more than 20 goals and 10 assists thus far. Along with his goal-scoring, Adam adds speed and agility to the Trojans’ arsenal.

After he graduates in May, Adam will move to San Francisco where he will work in investment banking. His presence on Trojan ice will be greatly missed!

Get to know Adam:

1. What would I find in your refrigerator right now? This weekend I was scolded by a few girls who were at my apartment for only having hot sauce in our fridge – so there you go.

2. If you could trade places with any NHL player, living or dead, who would it be and why? It would be pretty cool to be Alex Ovechkin – he’s one of the best players in the league right now and it seems like no one in the NHL has more fun than he does!

3. If Hollywood were to make a movie about your life, who would play you? Ed Norton, Leo DiCaprio, and Adam Sandler are my favorite actors – one of them would be awesome.

4. If you could time travel to any time before our own, which would it be and why? I’m pretty happy in the 21st century – can’t live without my iPhone! It would be nice to travel back a few decades to get to know some of my relatives who passed away, that I did not get the chance to meet.

5. Cats or Dogs? Dogs

6. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla

7. Favorite pasta shape? Penne

8. What is your favorite language other than your native language? I took 5 years of Spanish in high school and I also know a little Hebrew (would like to learn more!)

9. Your favorite color M&M? I am allergic to chocolate (but my favorite Skittles colors are yellow, orange and green)

10. The Zombie Apocalypse is here! Who on your team survives, is the first killed, the one who has a plan to survive such an event, and the one who has secretly been a zombie all along.

Survives – Hank Griesbach

First Killed – Dave Morris

Has a plan to survive – James Andersen

Was a zombie all along – Justin Bieber

11. Favorite holiday? Why? Hannukah – eight crazy nights!

12. If you owned your own hockey team, what would you name it? Trojans (Team Zacuto is the name of my fantasy team too)

13. Coke or Pepsi? Coke

14. Do you prefer hot or cold weather? Not a big fan of the cold

15. Do you have a nickname? Most people just call me by my last name (my roommates also call me Zook or Zooki)

16. Last song you heard? Paradise (Lil Wayne and Young Chris)

17. Most recorded show on your DVR? Either South Park, SportsCenter or Entourage. The annual Victoria Secret Fashion show [...] too!

18. If you were an animal which would you be? Cheetah

19. What is the last book you read? Monkey Business or Liar’s Poker

20. What super power would you have? It would be pretty cool to fly – reading minds would also be awesome!

21. Favorite pick up line? Not G rated

22. Your favorite meal? Chicken Club from Board n’ Brew (sandwich shop in my hometown) or Pedro’s Tacos (small taco stand also in my hometown)

Player Profile: Alex Caravaggio

The Featured Player Profile finally kicks off, and this week’s player is goalie Alex Caravaggio.

Alex is in his second year at USC and majoring in Chemical Engineering with a Petroleum Emphasis. Alex, 19, was born in Valencia, California and has lived all over the world. He considers Calgary, Alberta to be his home since he spent his junior high and high school years there.

Growing up, Alex played every intramural sport possible at his high school except for football. He spent most of his time swimming until he was eleven at which point his family made the big move from Texas to Canada.

At first, skating was not an innate skill for Alex. He first tried skating while in Texas, where his brother Dante played hockey. Alex recollects that his first attempts at skating involved more of his holding on to the wall than actually skating. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect, and soon Alex became a skilled skater. He began taking actual classes when he was eleven and joined his first team when he was twelve. Alex was forced to quit competitive swimming when he was fourteen as he was not able to competitively swim and compete at the highest level of hockey for his age group simultaneously.

Alex credits his older brother (a senior at USC who also plays on the hockey team) for getting him started in hockey. “My older brother Dante got me playing. He has been my inspiration and role model my whole life.” He then quips “Plus…who doesn’t play hockey in Canada?”

The two brothers would practice their skills in their driveway and it was here that Alex realized his love for goaltending, “I fell in love with the idea that I was the last line of defense. Plus, the old Cat-Eye cages and gear that goalies wore was so awesome. It felt like I was a knight or something putting it on for the first time.”

In the final half of high school, Alex played Major Midget AAA where he got to participate in an International Tournament called the Macs Tournament. It is here that many NCAA and Major Junior scouts attend in hopes of finding their prospective team members. “I had several offers to go play for lower tier Junior teams and chase the NCAA dream, but I owe it to my brother to play with him like I’ve always wanted to do since I started playing hockey. We never played together because of our age difference of two years.”

Alex’s fondest hockey memory is with this Major Midget team he played on in High School. Right before the 2010 Team Canada Women’s Ice Hockey team participated in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics they held an exhibition game against his team. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity that granted him the opportunity to tend the net against these professional female hockey players. The tournament was televised and had 4,000 enthusiastic fans in attendance. The game ended in a nine-round-shootout when Alex made a splits save and won the game for his team.

In his first season at USC, Alex helped lead the Trojans into the 2010-2011 PAC 8 Conference Tournament, where they secured a third place finish, losing to the eventual champion Washington in a shootout and defeating Cal in the consolation game. At the PAC 8 Awards Banquet, the conference teams’ coaches recognized Alex’s tremendous efforts throughout the season and voted him onto the All-PAC 8 First Team as the league’s best goaltender. The freshman phenom beat out the veteran goaltenders from the two higher-ranked teams, senior Jack Barry from 2nd-place Oregon and sophomore Danny Dougan from Washington.

Get to Know Alex:

1. What would I find in your refrigerator right now? Subway!
2. If you could trade places with any NHL player, living or dead, who would it be and why? Patrick Roy, he revolutionized goaltending
3. If you could time travel to any time before our own, which would it be and why? Back to the time of the dinosaurs, so I could tame a Tyrannosaurus Rex to do my bidding
4. Cats or Dogs: Dogs
5. Chocolate or Vanilla: Vanilla
6. Favorite pasta shape? Fettuccine
7. What is your favorite language other than your native language? French
8. Your favorite color M&M? Red
9. The Zombie Apocalypse is here! Who on your team survives, is the first killed, the one who has a plan to survive such an event, and the one who has secretly been a zombie all along? My brother and I survive with our foolproof plan that will only be shared with our closest acquaintances, and DP would absolutely be the first killed while probably trying to get other people killed, too.
10. Favorite holiday? Why? Christmas, normally has the longest break and I prefer the cold
11. If you owned your own hockey team, what would you name it? “The Subs”
12. Coke or Pepsi? Water :)
13. Do you prefer hot or cold weather? Cold
14. Do you have a nickname? Not that I know of
15. What is your signature dish? Footlong Chicken Breast on Wheat
16. Most recorded show on your DVR? Velociraptor
17. What super power would you have? Control time
18. Your favorite meal? Subwaaay!
19. Favorite NHL team? Calgary Flames!!!
20. Motto or saying you model your life after: It is a part of a prayer called the Prayer of Serenity, truly words to live by:
"Grant me the serenity,
to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference."
21. Who is your inspiration? Without a doubt, my older brother Dante. I might not be playing hockey, I might not be studying engineering, I might not even be getting the incredible experience I am getting here at USC without him supporting and encouraging me every step of the way.

Trojans Win The Century Cup

USC made winning the Century Cup look easy this past weekend as the Trojans swept Loyola Marymount with back-to-back wins Thursday and Friday nights.

The Century Cup is the trophy annually awarded to the winner of the best-of-three series between USC and LMU. The Lions will present the Cup to the Trojans at their next game on January 12 since it is in their possession after winning the 2010-2011 series.

Both games saw an abundance of scoring action with final scores of 5-2 and 6-5 respectively.Both USC goalies from this weekend, rookie junior Eric Chiccone on Friday and sophomore Alex Caravaggio on Saturday, did a phenomenal job at keeping LMU at bay.

Senior Adam Zacuto was named the HockeyGiant First Star of both match-ups. Zacuto had yet another stellar weekend as he posted a total of six goals and two assists. Thursday night’s Second and Third Stars were Chiccone and rookie junior Chris Roman; Friday’s Second and Third Stars were sophomore James Huebner and senior captain Noah Comisar.

In addition to Zacuto’s six goals, four other Trojans scored and eight others contributed assists.

“It was definitely a team win,” Zacuto stated after Saturday’s game.

Both games oozed emotion. Thursday saw USC’s Alex Hite and LMU’s Stephen Vollkommer receive game misconducts in addition to their minor roughing penalties with just 34 seconds left in the third period. The teams knew that they were to face one another again the next night causing tempers to flare with the scoreboard in USC’s favor. The following evening, with just 43 seconds left in the third period, Zacuto scored the Trojan’s sixth goal of the evening. With the Century Cup lost, LMU players retaliated and Zacuto ended up in the penalty box along with LMU’s Robert Yannotta and Michael Indigaro, each with a minor roughing penalty. LMU’s Bobby Arnold joined his teammates in the box with a two-minute penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The Trojans fought for the puck and finished their checks – two huge improvements from the beginning of the season. The team also has found their chemistry with one another, which make the games not only successful, but that much more entertaining to watch.

The Trojans travel to Northern California this weekend to take on Cal. Their next two games will be played at Oakland Ice Center in Oakland, California. Fight On!