Vikings’ Hockey Opens Season with Wins over San Jose State

Photo by: Nat Ballard

The Western Washington University Vikings hockey team had PAC-8 revenge in mind and got it,  as they opened their season with a two-game sweep over rivals San Jose State at Sharks Ice at San Jose.

On Friday, the Vikings came back from 3-0, and 4-2 1st period deficits to beat the Spartans 7-5.

Goals from veterans Ethan Secord and Bret Brumbaugh helped the Vikings bank their first win of the season, and their first win in PAC-8 play.

Newcomers Tyler Chapman, Jesse Degan and Aaron James all collected goals in their first games as Vikings, with James potting two and grabbing two assists. Andrew Fan recorded three assists in his debut.

The following night was much of the same story for the VIkings, as they erased an early 2-0 hole to win 8-6.

James and Chapman again had tallies in the victory,  while Fan potted his first of the season.

Veterans Patrick Pierson, Cooper Huntersmith, Nicholas Saway and Kailer Slette had the other goals for the Vikings.

Stellar games from freshman goaltender Nolan Morena helped backstop the Vikings to both wins.

Western begins the season at 2-0-0, subsequently moving to 2-0-0 in PAC-8 play. The Vikings will play two more games at Sharks Ice at San Jose against the USC Trojans on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. and Monday at 10 a.m. before coming home next weekend to face the EWU Eagles.

The Vikings were eliminated by the Spartans in round one of the PAC-8 tournament in 2024-25.