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.