Diggers are Perfect Celebrate Veterans in Special Appreciation Game Weekend
The Montana Tech Digger Hockey Team (Tech) hit the ice this weekend to face off against the University of Idaho Vandals (Vandals) in a 2-game set. Friday’s game was a special “Veterans Appreciation Night”, in which the team donned commemorative Veterans Jerseys embroidered with unique Military Unit Patches to recognize a wide range of active and former military members. Tech would go on to post consecutive shutouts against the Vandals, winning 11-0 on Friday and 12-0 on Saturday.
Montana Tech vs Idaho Vandals Friday, Nov 7th (11-0)
For the second consecutive year since the return of Tech Hockey, the team donned special Military-themed jerseys, embroidered with unique military unit patches and national flags to represent both the United States and Canadian Military Veterans and active-duty members. Several jerseys also had a Poppy embroidered over the heart, signifying veterans who had lost their lives
Photo Credit: Michelle Kase
Before the game, the Student Veterans Association (SVA), which partnered with Tech for the event, awarded commemorative plaques to Captain Tye Carriere and Alternates Ethan Elam. Former President Matt Ashcraft awarded the plaques. Following the award, Military Veteran Michael Lasher performed the ceremonial puck drop.
Photo Credit: Michelle Kase and Lisa Schake
Tech got on the scoreboard early, on the opening goal by Carriere just 3:43 into the frame. Tech added 2 additional markers in the first period, and outshot the Vandals 23 to 5.
Tech kicked off a 5-goal second period by scoring just twelve seconds in (Colin McCarthy), and again 1:06 in (goal by Cade Holland). Goals by McCarthy, Jack Delici, and Carriere rounded out the period, and Tech once again outshot the Vandals 21-8.
Photo Credit: Michelle Kase
Although Tech controlled the third period, the team did not find the back of the net for the first time until Delici scored at 8:07. Delici added a power-play goal (and earned the hat trick) again on the power play, and Carriere earned his hat trick on the power play moments later.
Tech players combined for a total of 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists) on the night, with Carriere earning 6 points (3G, 3A), and several others earning 5 points (McCarthy - 2G, 3A; Delici - 3G, 2 A). Goaltender Joe Rolfson stopped all 22 shots faced.
Montana Tech vs Idaho - Saturday, Nov 8th (12-0)
Tech returned to the offense under 5 minutes into the start of the game, with Aiden Ripplinger scoring off the rush to earn his first goal of the season, on an assist by Raynger Schake. Play was controlled by Tech throughout the period, netting 3 goals in the final 5 minutes of the first on goals by Holland (2) and Carriere (1).
Tech was once again dominant in the second period, striking just 26 seconds in on a goal from Carriere, who would score twice more in the frame. Special teams came up big for Tech, and the team scored two short-handed goals - one from Holland, earning him a hat trick, and another from Riley Kelly on a strong individual effort. Defenseman Mason Kramer would pad the lead on a strong individual effort, driving to the net and putting the puck over the shoulder of the Vandals' netminder in close proximity.
Tech once again controlled the third period, and both Carriere and Holland would find the net each once more, for a final score of 12-0.
Goaltender Rhett Engel would earn the 26-save shutout, his second consecutive shutout - both of which have come against the Vandals.
Takeaways
Tech has now scored 26 unanswered goals against the Vandals over 3 games, amassing a staggering 62 points (26 goals, 36 assists).
Captain Tye Carriere finished the weekend with 12 points in 2 games (8G, 4A), including a 5-goal game on Saturday.
Cade Holland finished with 11 points in 2 games (5G, 6A).
Jack Delici posted a 5-point night on Friday (4G, 2A) and an assist on Saturday.
Tech now has 3 players in the top-10 in scoring for the Mountain West Collegiate Hockey League (MWCHL) - Holland (26pts, 2.00ppg), Carriere (24pts, 2.00ppg), and Delici (21pts, 1.62ppg).
