No. 8 Arizona Hockey cruises past ASU to win the WCHL
TEMPE, AZ- No. 8 Arizona Hockey (30-7) cruises past rival ASU on Saturday and Sunday, en route to the Western Collegiate Hockey League title.
Finishing the 2018-19 regular season, the No. 8 Arizona Hockey team completed the regular season sweep of rival ASU, as the Cats captured the WCHL title.
Hopefully you have been paying attention, but the Wildcats have been heating up the ice in Tucson this year! Entering the weekend series of games against ASU to close out the regular season, Arizona was looking to capture the WCHL this weekend.
Arizona Wildcats
The last series of the regular season began on Saturday evening, when Arizona traveled to Tempe at the Oceanside Arena looking to beat the Devils and to capture the WCHL crown with a victory.
Hoping to get off to a fast start, the Wildcats did just that, scoring a little over half way through the first period on a goal from Chris Westlund.
Unfortunately, not much else would be doing for the Cats in the period offensively, as they held on the 1-0 advantage in the first. Luckily, their stifling defensive play kept the Devils at bay, despite a few good opportunities.
Still in control, the Wildcats would extend their lead fairly early in the second period, when Vail Ardizzone would put one past ASU’s keeper, to make it 2-0.
Luckily, that’s all Arizona would need in this one, as they would cruise to the 2-0 victory! Goalie Anthony Ciurro would put together another tremendous performance, holding the Devils to the shut out.
With that win, the Wildcats clinched the 2018-19 WCHL title for the first time in program history!
TUCSON - we are bringing home hardware - 2019 WCHL CHAMPS!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/tyRno7iuEk
— UAZ Wildcat Hockey (@UAWildcatHockey) March 3, 2019
On to Sunday, looking for the regular season sweep of ASU and hopefully improving their tournament seeding, the Wildcats entered the final, regular season game focused and ready to go!
Just like they’ve done all season, Arizona came out strong, pacing themselves to the 5-3 win, meanwhile improving to 30-7 (18-4) on the year.
Now the Wildcats will get a bit of a break, before returning to action for the 2019 ACHA National Tournament. Last year, the Wildcats were the No. 16 seed in the tournament, and will certainly have a higher seeding this year!
Hopes are high moving forward, and rightfully so!
Listen to head coach Chad Berman as he recaps his teams’ season, as well as winning the WCHL title!
Congratulations to @UAWildcatHockey on capturing the WCHL Championship with a 2-0 shutout win over @ASU_Hockey our own @CallahanOnAir caught up with the victorious Head Coach Chad Berman following the game! pic.twitter.com/42JgZXm2s9
— Ice Time Hockey West (@icetimesw) March 3, 2019
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At Zona Zealots, we’re excited for the weekend of Wildcat Hockey and are proud of the way they’ve battled all season! This is only the start for bigger and better! Bear Down, Arizona!