FLAGSTAFF, AZ -Anticipating another great matchup a large boisterous crowd was on hand Saturday night to watch Northern Arizona face off against Fresno State and neither team disappointed playing a fast, physical game with the Ice Jackets taking their second win of the season by a score of 10-4.
 
NAU’s first goal came on the power play just 2:12 into the game, and the Ice Jackets scored two more on back-to-back goals midway through the first. Another quick goal by NAU to start the second put the Ice Jackets up 4-0.

The Bulldogs quickly answered back scoring their first goal 2:27 into the second period by captain Phillip Matson, and a power play goal by Jacob Kessler would  help close the deficit.
The Ice Jackets would continue to play hard and pressure the Bulldogs all night long, adding two quick goals in the top of the third and three more on the power play.

However, the Bulldogs kept up the physically demanding play adding a goal by rookie Ross Piche and another by assistant captain Tyler Esswein.

“It was pretty cool, because it’s been a while,” said Kessler on his first goal of the season. “I waited all last season for a goal, so it was finally good to get one.”

Along with his offensive contribution, Kessler played well defensively batting a puck mid-air away from the goal when the Bulldogs were playing shorthanded in the first.

As much as he enjoyed scoring the first goal of the game and his first of the season, Matson said the spark it gave the offense was the biggest contribution.

“We really started to get confidence in our offensive game once we knew we could score goals on them, so that was nice,” said Matson who also picked up an assist on Kessler’s goal.

One of the key differences in the game Saturday night was the return of a couple of starters who were healthy scratches during Friday night’s game.

“It really helped to have Trent Fisher back, Chris McCormick, I thought once again Matt Epstein played great,” said starting goalie Joe Ricupero who stopped 60 shots for the second night in a row.
Fisher and McCormick were two of the players who did not play Friday night, but were integral in Saturday night’s game.

“I just tried to play my position, do well for the team, make sure I make good passes, made sure I looked where my teammates were before passing, instead of just giving it away or turning it over,” said McCormick, “just doing the best I could for the team.”

McCormick played just as well offensively as he did defensively, picking up two assists for the night.
“You know last night we had five healthy scratches, and the five were key players in the game,” said McCormick, “and tonight we had them all out there, and we just executed what we do in practice and got the job done.”

Matson agreed that having all the players focused and available was a big part in getting the Bulldogs on the board and into the game.

“It really showed what we could do when we stick to our game plan, execute our systems the way we want to we’re effective,” said Matson. “I think we had them kind of on their heels and surprised that we were coming on them like that.”

Even though they lost their opening weekend to a higher ranked Division II school, the Bulldogs believe it helped them prepare for the rest of their season and gave them a chance to get some actual game experience in aside from practices.

The Fresno State Bulldogs play their first home game this Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 3, against Santa Clara at Gateway Ice Center.