"I don't like them." - SDSU junior forward Danny Koressel
37 penalties were assessed on Saturday night in a chippy, drawn-out marathon of a win for the SDSU Hockey Club (@SDSUHockey), as the Aztecs knocked off Long Beach, 10-1. The victory concluded the season series against the 49ers, with SDSU capturing both games by a combined score of 18-3.
SDSU (2-2; 2-0 West) gave starting goaltender Filip Curkovic plenty of help in the first period, jumping on the scoreboard early while also limiting Long Beach's attack to perimeter shots. Freshman Vincent DiMaggio got the scoring action going early when he streaked down the left boards, took a shot from the hash marks and followed up his own rebound for a chip-in goal over Long Beach goaltender Nic Juister's right shoulder. An Alex Cambas backhander at 5:43, his first of three goals on the night, extended the lead before DiMaggio pulled up at the blue line on the power play and scorched a slap shot top shelf for a 3-0 Aztecs lead.
"They were giving me a lot of space," DiMaggio said about his second goal. "While I was out there I thought, 'if you're going to let me shoot I'm going to take it."
DiMaggio's second goal prompted a Long Beach goaltender change, a move that only temporarily derailed the SDSU goal spree. The Aztecs weren't able to score again until the second period but then preceded to do so in dominant fashion. Goals by Branden Vara, Alec Christoff and Cam Davis preluded an individual display of talent by Cambas, who took advantage of poor Long Beach passing for two shorthanded breakaway goals. As if Cambas's feat wasn't rare enough, he made it even more special by scoring his hat trick clincher while Long Beach had a 5-on-3 power play.
"I broke away from the pack and just had a nice shot on the first (shorthanded goal)," Cambas said during the second intermission. "And on the second one I didn't score on the first shot, but when I got the loose puck I saw there was a good opening around the other side of the net and was able to beat everyone there." Cambas completed his wrap-around attempt by squeezing the puck between the post and a diving Corey Jones's paddle.
SDSU (2-2; 2-0 West) gave starting goaltender Filip Curkovic plenty of help in the first period, jumping on the scoreboard early while also limiting Long Beach's attack to perimeter shots. Freshman Vincent DiMaggio got the scoring action going early when he streaked down the left boards, took a shot from the hash marks and followed up his own rebound for a chip-in goal over Long Beach goaltender Nic Juister's right shoulder. An Alex Cambas backhander at 5:43, his first of three goals on the night, extended the lead before DiMaggio pulled up at the blue line on the power play and scorched a slap shot top shelf for a 3-0 Aztecs lead.
"They were giving me a lot of space," DiMaggio said about his second goal. "While I was out there I thought, 'if you're going to let me shoot I'm going to take it."
DiMaggio's second goal prompted a Long Beach goaltender change, a move that only temporarily derailed the SDSU goal spree. The Aztecs weren't able to score again until the second period but then preceded to do so in dominant fashion. Goals by Branden Vara, Alec Christoff and Cam Davis preluded an individual display of talent by Cambas, who took advantage of poor Long Beach passing for two shorthanded breakaway goals. As if Cambas's feat wasn't rare enough, he made it even more special by scoring his hat trick clincher while Long Beach had a 5-on-3 power play.
"I broke away from the pack and just had a nice shot on the first (shorthanded goal)," Cambas said during the second intermission. "And on the second one I didn't score on the first shot, but when I got the loose puck I saw there was a good opening around the other side of the net and was able to beat everyone there." Cambas completed his wrap-around attempt by squeezing the puck between the post and a diving Corey Jones's paddle.
Long Beach tempers began to flare with the Aztecs leading 8-0 early in the third period. As SDSU mustered up additional goals from Christoff and Travis Sevilla to wrap up the evening's scoring, the 49ers continues to push buttons, eventually resulting in several late-game ejections. Coach Chris Migliore was pleased about the win but upset about his team's lack of discipline in the third period.
"This was a game where we needed to come in, handle business and leave with our mouths shut," Migliore said. "I'm glad we scored often and got the victory, but we can't afford to be dragged down by our competition into pointless penalties."
Migliore did have several positive takeaways after the game, including praise for his starting goalie's performance.
"Filip played a great game for us and made some nice saves," Migliore said. "The guys are glad to get him the win. They're a little upset they couldn't get him the shutout, but he played well and deserves recognition."
The Aztecs will next face off against Loyola Marymount this Friday at the Kroc Center. Pre-sale tickets are available online at SDSUHockey.com or available at the door for $5.
SCORING
SDSU---3-5-2=10
LB-------0-0-1=1
SDSU Goals: DiMaggio (2,3), Cambas (1, 2SH, 3SH), Christoff (1PP, 2), Vara (2), Davis (1), Sevilla (3)
LB Goals: Dunaev (1)
GOALIES
W: Curkovic (1-1), 34/35 saves
L: Juister, 4/7 saves Jones, 28/35 saves
MISC.
- Cambas's hat trick was the second of his career
- SDSU improved to 16-3 all-time against Long Beach
"This was a game where we needed to come in, handle business and leave with our mouths shut," Migliore said. "I'm glad we scored often and got the victory, but we can't afford to be dragged down by our competition into pointless penalties."
Migliore did have several positive takeaways after the game, including praise for his starting goalie's performance.
"Filip played a great game for us and made some nice saves," Migliore said. "The guys are glad to get him the win. They're a little upset they couldn't get him the shutout, but he played well and deserves recognition."
The Aztecs will next face off against Loyola Marymount this Friday at the Kroc Center. Pre-sale tickets are available online at SDSUHockey.com or available at the door for $5.
SCORING
SDSU---3-5-2=10
LB-------0-0-1=1
SDSU Goals: DiMaggio (2,3), Cambas (1, 2SH, 3SH), Christoff (1PP, 2), Vara (2), Davis (1), Sevilla (3)
LB Goals: Dunaev (1)
GOALIES
W: Curkovic (1-1), 34/35 saves
L: Juister, 4/7 saves Jones, 28/35 saves
MISC.
- Cambas's hat trick was the second of his career
- SDSU improved to 16-3 all-time against Long Beach