USC Trojans vs SDSU Aztecs Live Blog Second Period - 9/30/11

As the second period gets underway, USC has been outshot 19-7 so far tonight. I talked to Coach Langille during the intermission and all he had to say was that the Trojans were being outskated and that they needed to get their heads in the game. An icing call with 19:20 remaining here in the second brings the faceoff back down to the Trojan end, a good clean breakout gets SC a shot on the SDSU goalie and we will have a faceoff in the Aztec zone. SDSU wins the faceoff and easily carries it back into the SC zone. A quick turnover gets USC another shot on the Aztec goal, and USC is finally starting to show some life on the offensive side. Faceoff win by USC allows them a chance to set up the offense, and Morris almost gets it by the Aztec netminder and the ensuing scrum ends the play. SDSU gets the faceoff and brings it down into the SC zone before SC gets another clearn breakout. The line of Morris, Dragatto, and Waschenfelder have really stepped up here to start this 2nd period. SDSU sets up in the SC zone just for a moment before SC sends it back down into the Aztec zone. SC with a tip just wide of the net keeps them with the momentum to start this period as the clock runs down to under 17. Back and forth in the neutral zone before SDSU gets it in and a shot and Caravaggio covers up for the whistle with 16:49 left in the 2nd.

USC gets the win in their zone and Zacuto breaks it out. He is held up at the Aztec blue and SDSU gets it back. Shot from the Aztecs results in a whistle and a change for the Trojans, and they break it out. Offsides results in a faceoff in the neutral zone. SDSU wins the faceoff and regroups in their own zone before going down and getting a good shot on Caravaggio. Resulting faceoff is won by the Trojans and they get it down into the Aztec zone. SDSU gets the loose puck and sends it down, setting up their offense in the SC zone. USC gets it back and dumps it off the glass, but SDSU gets a quick regroup and its back into the Trojan zone. USC is forced to ice it with 15:08 remaining in the 2nd.

Faceoff in the Trojan zone won by SDSU, and again they setup their offense. USC manages to get it back and dumps it down into the Aztec zone for the change. Pressure from Kucinski and Comisar fails to keep it in the SDSU zone, and the Aztecs get the breakout. A good steal by the Trojans gets them out and back into the SDSU zone. Shot on net is covered by the Aztec netminder, and the resulting scrum gives the Aztecs a roughing penalty. Trojans going on the powerplay with 13:58 remaining.

USC trying to set up in the Aztec zone, but only just manage to keep it in. Loose puck taken by Kucinski and USC sets it up. Shot by Walker from the point allows a long rebound, but no Trojan is there to capitalize, and the Aztecs dump it down with under a minute left in the power play. USC having trouble dumping it and keeping it in before Dragatto brings it in himself. His shot is turned aside and SDSU gets a shorthanded breakaway. Huge save by Alex Caravaggio gives the Trojans the puck back, and they take it down and score to make it 3-2!!!!! Goal by Dave Morris at 12:07 assisted by Waschenfelder brings the Trojans to within 1!!

Faceoff won by the Aztecs and they are clearly not happy about the last goal. They begin to step up their play in the offensive zone, forcing Hite to take his second penalty of the night, a tripping call at 10:50 remaining in the 2nd. Aztecs setting up their powerplay in the Trojan end, but the SC penalty kill gets it and sends it all the way down as we go to under a minute remaining in the power play. USC trying to keep the Aztecs out of the net and kill this penalty off, but the Aztecs are giving them all they've got. USC finally dumps it down getting a change after the offsides call. Faceoff in the neutral zone won by SDSU but it goes all the way down to their zone and they'll have to regroup. The penalty winds down before a big save by Caravaggio causes another scrum in front of the net after the whistle. Faceoff in the Trojan end won by SDSU resulting in a quick start. SC trying to break it out and finally does. Dragatto shot saved and the rebound is picked up by SDSU. Dante Caravaggio gets beaten out of the zone, causing an odd man rush. SDSU scores off the shot, making it 4-2 for the Aztecs with 8:21 remaining here in the 2nd period.

Faceoff won by SDSU and they regroup and set up their offense in the SC zone. Shot from the point is saved by Caravaggio and we will have another faceoff in the Trojan end. SDSU cycles around the SC zone before Zacuto takes it out himself and into the Aztec zone. Shot from Zacuto saved and faceoff in the Aztec zone. SDSU breaks it out and sets up their offense again the Trojan end. USC keeping it physical and a big hit allows them the break it out and send it down into the Aztec zone. Shot by Peters tipped wide and the SC offense forces the Aztecs to ice it with 6:18 remaining. Huge faceoff coming in the SDSU zone for the Trojans. Stommel wins the faceoff back to Walker, whose shot gets through on the SDSU goalie. Rebound hit by Bieber but covered. Another faceoff is won by SDSU, but the Trojans keep it in with great play by Dawson, Bieber, and Stommel. SC continuing to play phsyical in the Aztec zone, keeping the puck down low. Finally, SDSU breaks it out and brings it down for a shot on Caravaggio. Puck is tipped up into the netting and we will have a faceoff down in the SDSU zone with 5:06 remaining.

Faceoff won by Waschenfelder by a bad shot by Dragatto allows SDSU to clear the zone. The Trojans, however, get it right back into the SDSU zone, and continue to keep up the pressure. Aztecs get it down and get a shot on Caravaggio, but Alex makes the easy save for a faceoff in the Trojan zone. Faceoff won by the Trojans, who hold it down in the corner before making a bad turnover on the side. SDSU gets a shot off, but SC manages to clear the zone. SDSU comes right back setting up the offense again and SC again is having trouble with the breakout. Puck is covered by Alex Caravaggio and we will have another faceoff with 3:35 remaining. Scrum in the corner off the faceoff gives SDSU the puck, and they keep the pressure up with another strong shot from the point on Caravaggio, who has to cover for another faceoff. Faceoff won by SDSU as they try to add to their lead, but SC gets it out and into the Aztec zone. Aztecs break it out and get a good rush down the ice, but the shot is wide and SC will continue to try to work on their breakout. They manage to get it out before it stalls in the neutral zone. Knight knocks it in and the Trojans will try to keep up the pressure. SDSU breaks it out before being called offside with 2 minutes left in the period.

Faceoff in the neutral zone won by SC and Dragatto will rush it down the ice. Shot by SC wide, and SDSU is forced to ice it for a critical faceoff in the Aztec zone. Faceoff won by SC but Mowrey's shot is blocked and SDSU gets it down into the Trojan end. Shot from the point wide, and SDSU keeps the pressure up in the SC zone as we now are under a minute in the second period. USC still unable to break it out as the Aztecs cycle around, looking for their shot. Shot wide with 30 seconds left and USC finally gets it out of the zone. Dragatto loses it in the SDSU zone,b ut SC keeps the pressure up. Zacuto shot with 8 seconds left draws a tripping penalty, so with 2.1 remaining in the period, USC will go on the power play. No shot off the faceoff before the period ends, so USC comes back with all they have, but still cannot cut into the Aztec lead. SDSU  leads 4-2 after 2 periods here in San Diego. Coach Langille, on his way to the locker room, had just 2 words for me, "Much better".

USC Trojans vs SDSU Aztecs Live Blog First Period - 9/30/11

Welcome Ladies and Gentleman to the live blog for tonight's game where your USC Trojans will take on the SDSU Aztecs here at the Kroc Arena in San Diego, California. USC is coming off a tough season opening loss against Long Beach State 4-3, in which Sophomore Goalie Alex Caravaggio took 55 shots against, while holding the 49ers to just 4 goals. Look for Caravaggio to continue to hold his own against the team that he opened up his USC career against. I will be live blogging this game, so continue to refresh the page to get streaming updates from me, James Anderson, throughout the evening.

As we wind down here in the warm-up, USC lines tonight headlined by the fact that Sophomore James Huebner will not be playing due to an illness. So therefore, the lines will look like this:

Morris-Waschenfelder-Dragatto
Comisar-Kucinski-Zacuto
Griesbach-Newman-Knight
Stommel-Bieber-Peters-Dawson

Walker-Caravaggio
Hite-Manning
Mowrey Duffy

The game begins with the Aztecs dominating in the Trojan end. After a minute and a half, Aztecs break through Caravaggio after a nifty move in the defensive zone by an Aztec forward. SDSU leads it by a score of 1-0. Aztecs are continuing to dominate in the Trojan end, and USC has barely been able to get it out of the zone. The physical play has stepped up in the SC zone, however, and the Trojans are really attempting to establish a physical preference early in this game. Whistle blows at 14:57 with USC still down 1-0. Faceoff in the USC zone won by SDSU, and the domination continues by the Aztecs. Manning is able to clear it out if only for a second just to give the Trojans a breath, and allowing the forwards to get a change. Except for the one mishap, Caravaggio is stonewalling the SDSU forwards so far. Faceoff after an icing gives the Aztecs the puck back in the zone, and with no rest Hite is forced to take a bad penalty, 2 minutes for hooking. USC penalty at 13:41 remaining not a helpful start for the Trojans.

USC penalty kill is led right now by Zacuto and Comisar, they kill it off for a minute before allowing Griesbach and Newman to come on. An unfortunate deflection in front of the net gives the Aztecs another goal, a power play goal at 12:17 by Dustin Holt, and SDSU continues to dominate in the Trojan end. SDSU takes a penalty now so the Trojans move onto the power play at 11:40. USC trying to control the puck in the Aztec zone, and are trying to get a good shot. SDSU gets it out with 1:20 left in the penalty, and USC will have to regroup. Another whistle for icing against the Trojans brings the puck back into the SC end. SC having a lot of trouble against this Aztec penalty kill, wasting a lot of time trying to break it out. Trojans finally establish a power play, but the puck travels down to the SC zone again, and bad defensive plays force Caravaggio to cover it up. SC is unable to do much on the power play as SDSU continues to dominate at both ends of the ice. Halfway through the period USC still down 2-0.

SDSU roughing penalty puts SC back on the power play. Trojans begin the power play again having trouble breaking it out of their own zone, but Zacuto takes into his own hands, going end to end before getting a good shot off. USC back in the SDSU zone trying to establish something on the power play, but still can't. The Aztecs penalty killers really have the Trojans number and USC is trying to battle back on the physical side. Good physical play has been the lone bright spot on an otherwise dismal power play as they are now 0-2 on the power play with only 3 shots. Full strength again.

USC now trying to pull even, with much of the play staying in the neutral zone. USC, however, loses whatever momentum they gained with another big SDSU rush. Faceoff again in the Trojan end with just over 5 remaining. SDSU scores off a bad breakout attempt by the Trojan's fourth line, going up 3-0 with 5:02 remaining here in the first period. USC really needs stronger play by all four lines if they want to stay in this game and give Caravaggio a chance to catch his breath. USC again trying to use physical play to keep the puck down in the Aztec zone, but a bad offsides call brings the puck down into the Trojan end. First solid breakout I've seen by the Trojans leads to a bad turnover in the neutral zone, and USC is back on the defensive. SDSU continues to cycle down in the Trojan zone before a save stops the play at 3:30 remaining. Scrum in front of the net shows the frustration on the USC side. Faceoff won by USC and they bring it all the way down into the Aztec end. Off sides call at 3:07 brings the faceoff back into the neutral zone.

Down to the final 3 minutes, SDSU wins the faceoff and brings it all the way down into the Trojan end. A weak breakout gives the Trojans a chance to breath, until finally they get it all the way down into the Aztec zone, if only for a moment. Quick turnover and breakout puts the Trojans back into their own zone as we are now under 2 minutes left. Great breakout by the Trojans leads to a USC goal!!!!!!!! Big goal by Junior Thomas Waschenfelder assisted by Dragatto at 1:47 remaining puts USC back into this game. Unfortunately, bad charging penalty by Comisar takes away a lot of that momentum, and USC is forced back onto the penalty kill. USC dumps it down not once but twice, as we are now under 1 minute. USC just trying to keep SDSU off the scoreboard and keep this a 2 goal game. Defense playing very conservatively. SDSU sets up the cycle again and Caravaggio comes up with a big save with 7.6 seconds left. Faceoff won by the Aztecs and a last second shot goes wide, ending the period. USC heads into the locker room down 3-1 after a momentum saving goal by Waschenfelder keeps the Trojans right in this game. We'll be right back with the second period here in San Diego.

Rivalry Night

After months of waiting, Rivalry Night at the Honda Center has come and gone. The mighty USC Trojans made a valiant effort as they faced their cross-town rivals, but were ultimately defeated by the UCLA Bruins 5-4 at the Honda Center, home of the Anaheim Ducks.

This was just the first meeting between these two teams, as they compete for the Crosstown Cup this season. The Trojans are currently in possession of the cup, as they swept UCLA last season.

The atmosphere in the arena was electricfying, as the audience of about 1000 were running off the high from the thrilling San Jose Sharks 6-1 win just prior to the USC game. During the first intermission of the Ducks vs. Sharks game, USC and UCLA held a shootout. With Alex Caravaggio in net, the Trojans went out there ready to take the Bruins out. However, UCLA skated away victorious after an exciting few rounds of shootout attempts.

During both the NHL and Rivalry Night portions of the evening, the cardinal and gold of the USC fans in the stands stood out among the sea of Sharks and Ducks jerseys. There was equal representation of both schools in the stands, as both schools made their presence known by chanting their alma mater’s cheers. The Spirit of Troy, USC’s infamous marching band, was in attendance playing all the SC favorites.

The game went by quickly, as the teams played three periods back to back with essentially no intermissions. The battle was well fought as the Trojans showed everyone that they have not only improved since last season, but that they only have their sights set on winning. Although the result of the game was not in favor of USC, the team showed great promise for an amazing season to come.

The HockeyGiant player of the game was USC’s very own Anthony Dragotto. For his outstanding play, he was awarded a Bauer TotalOne LE stick, furnished by HockeyGiant.

Although it was not a win, a huge congratulations is in order to the team who had a successful season opener in every other sense. USC hockey is now in full swing and the fans are ready for the awesome ride through the season. The USC Trojans look to defeat San Diego State this Friday at Kroc Ice Arena at 9:00.

Fight On!

Volunteers Wanted!

VOLUNTEER for the hockey team! We want to hear from Trojans & Friends of USC who love hockey and would like to help us put on a spectacular game every game!

Putting on the perfect hockey game takes a lot of manpower and teamwork, so we treat our volunteer workers like gold. YOU MAKE OUR GAMES GO 'ROUND! We are looking for individuals who can help us with general game functions such as:

• Scoreboard operation;
• In-game announcing;
• Score and statistics keeping;
• Camera operators (nothing fancy, just record the the action!);
• Photography;
• Sales & merchandising'
• and more!

The benefits of volunteering for USC Ice Hockey:

• Receive USC Ice Hockey swag;
• Discounts off merchandise purchases;
• Use of team discounts, such as to Hockey Giant;
• Opportunities to take advantage of offers from our partners, such as the Anaheim Ducks;
• Networking opportunities - we work closely with the local USC Alumni clubs, and you never know who you'll run into!
• The satisfaction of turning the energy of your school spirit into something tangible!

Those who are interested should contact info@uscicehockey.com with the following information:

• Your Name and contact info;
• Year in school or USC affiliation;
• Your level of knowledge of the game of hockey (Not required! We'll teach you!)
• Any relevance experience, training, or other information.

Thank you, and FIGHT ON!

USC Ice Girls

After suffering through a scortcher of a day, I found myself frozen to the bone as I sat in the Iceland Ice Rink in Van Nuys, California watching the open skate for the USC Ice Girls.

The Ice Girls were founded last season through a collaboration between the USC men's ice hockey team and group of girls from the USC Figure Skating Team.

Junior Niki Huenergardt, co-founder and squad coordinator, met with USC Figure Skating president Jessie Ranko Houston and USC Ice Hockey Assistant General Manager Johnny Nguyen, and it was decided with a group of girls on the figure skating team that they wanted to find a way to be a part of the spirit of USC through their skating skills. Thus, the USC Ice Girls were born.

This open skate was such a success that they decided to have a Varsity and Junior Varsity team – a huge milestone for the girls, as last year there were only five on the team. Niki was beyond thrilled with the turnout and explained that she hopes that even more girls will take an interest in the future, “We want to let girls know that they don’t have to be a skater. We want bubbly, fun, personality girls. We want to be an important asset to the USC community.”

This 2011-2012 season appears to be a promising one for the girls, as they will have more members to help promote their team throughout the USC community. They love reaching out and interacting with the fans. They are quite excited about becoming more and more apart of the spirit of the university.

There was lots of fun to be had at their open skate. I could feel the excitement from the girls who were having a blast skating around and forming new friendships with their future teammates. Work was accomplished as the girls’ skating ability did need to be tested to see who was eligible to be apart of the girls who actually perform during the intermission of the USC Ice Hockey games. They are also responsible for clearing the ice of snow throughout the USC Ice Hockey team's games.

The highlight of the evening was AGM Johnny Nguyen attempting figure skating tricks in his hockey skates. He made a valiant effort as he entertained all those who were there to witness.

There were some stumbles, some impressive tricks, and lots of laughter – all indicators that the USC Ice Girls are in store for a fantastic season.

This past week at Rivalry Night at the Honda Center, fans were able to meet their new USC Ice Girls team, and they were welcomed with open arms. The girls helped make the entire evening go off without a hitch and truly made a connection with the fans. Congratulations to the new Ice Girls who looked like seasoned pros at their debut event:

Alexandria, Amy, Daniele, Emily, Felicia, Jill, Joyce, Katie, Meghan, Rachel, and Treasure

USC comeback falls short with uneven officiating; 49ers win 4-3.

LAKEWOOD, CA - In a contentious and hard-fought game that was marred by questionable officiating calls against both teams, USC (0-1, 0-0 PAC 8) falls 4-3 to host Long Beach State (1-0) in the regular season debut for both squads in front of a standing room only crowd.

Fresh off an exhibition game against UCLA at the Honda Center, the Trojans looked to avenge last season's two losses to the 49ers, with many fresh faces appearing the lineup.

The teams immediately made their presence known, playing aggressively and together racking up 9 penalties in the 1st period, while holding each other scoreless. Shots on goal were nearly even, 12-11 in favor of USC.

Long Beach State drew first blood early in the 2nd period, with Brad Roberts (Robbie Zdjelar, Ian Hoang) scoring off a rebound 2:11 into the frame.

The lead didn't last long, as USC answered immediately with rookie forward David Knight (Corey Newman) scoring just 46 seconds later to notch it up 1-1.

Later in the 2nd, the 49ers score again as Tyler Robertson (Zac Zamoya, Hoang) wrapped around the net and scored from USC goalie Alex Caravaggio's right side, giving The Beach a 2-1 lead.

But again, the lead was short lived as the Trojans scored a mere 19 seconds later. Sophomore forward James Huebner (Ryan Kucinski, Adam Zacuto) collected a rebound off Long Beach goalie Ricky St. Louis and punched the puck in to tie it up 2-2.

Both teams collected 9 more penalties; 2nd period SOGs were 14-6 in favor of USC.

In the 3rd period, the 49ers again scored quickly and took the lead 3-2 , with Zamoya (Matt Rushton) punching it through A. Caravaggio just 1:33 into the period.

Controversy struck as an apparent game-tying USC goal by a driving Zacuto is waived off. The referees conferred and agreed that the puck caromed into the net by a high stick, even though Zacuto was the only Trojan within 15 feet of the net.

Halfway through the 3rd, the Trojans tied the game as USC rookie forward Corey Newman scored unassisted off the faceoff after a Long Beach icing call.

Late in the game with the score 3-3, the 49ers put the game away on a 3-2 breakaway with 3;09 left in the game. Zdjelar streaked up the weak side and slid the puck behind A. Caravaggio off a pass from Roberts (Chris Chan).

USC desperately tried to even the score, pulling A. Caravaggio several times to bring on an extra attacker. On two consecutive series, the linesman whistled USC's drives dead for sending the attacker too early, before the goalie reached the bench. In the second incident, defenseman Ryan Manning came on to replace fellow defenseman Tom Duffy, but was mistaken as the extra attacker by the linesman, who consequently blew his whistle.

"One of the worst calls I've ever seen," said USC Head Coach Jeff Langille after the game. "How he could confuse my defenseman as the extra attacker is beyond me."

USC faces two more West Coast Hockey Conference teams next week, as they drive down the coast to face San Diego State (0-1) on Friday (9:00pm, Kroc Center), then play in their own home rink as the visitors against Cal State Fullerton (0-0) on Saturday (7:30pm, The Rinks - Anaheim ICE).

Both games will be broadcast online on Ustream. Visit http://www.ustream.tv/channels/uscicehockey for more details.

Game Notes:

- USC remains winless against teams from WCHC, which was formed in the 2010-2011 season.

- Manning & Zacuto received misconduct penalties at the end of regulation.

- Next matchup between USC and Long Beach State is Thursday, 10/6 - 8:30pm at Anaheim ICE.

Tryout Info for the 2011-2012 season

Dates:

- Sept 4-5: Training Camp (off-ice)
- Wed Sept 7: On-Ice Tryouts/Captains' Practice (Anaheim Ice, 10pm)
- Mon Sept 12: On-Ice Tryouts (Glacial Garden, 10:15pm)
- Wed Sept 14: Preseason Practice (Anaheim Ice, 10pm)
- Mon Sept 19: Preseason Practice (Glacial Garden, 10:15pm)

- Full gear (including full face cage) required for on-ice sessions, plus a white & dark jersey.
- All required forms (e.g., USA Hockey registration, Rec Sports waiver, medical forms) must be completed and submitted before the first ice session.

To receive further details on training camp and tryouts, you must email Head Coach Jeff Langille at jlangille@uscicehockey.com with the following details:

- Full Name

- Year in School

- Cell Phone number

- Email address

- Hometown

- No. of Years playing

- Level of play

- Previous team played for