USC puts 49ers in check, 5 - 1

The 49er Ice Hockey Team lost to USC, 5-1, at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena Wednesday night.

The puck seemed to be in the 49ers' zone for most of the game, and the Trojans managed 38 shots on goal compared to only 17 for the 49ers.

49er goalie Jiro Wada was outstanding between the pipes, making 33 saves in the game. However, Wada could not do it all, and five shots found the back of the net, a fact made more painful to the 49er fans in attendance by the third-rate Trojan band that tried to play after each goal.

"I have no complaints about the goaltending," said 49er assistant coach Darrel Griebel. "I never have and I probably never will."

The lone 49er goal was scored in the third period by Toby Hudson on a rebound to avoid the shutout.

The 49ers played tough. The checking was fast and furious as the smaller 49er team hit the USC players, sometimes two at once. However, the squad couldn't keep up the intensity for the entire game.

Many of the 49er players were upset about the game and were extremely pumped up for the team's next home game, against Santa Barbara Saturday at Disney Ice in Anaheim.

"I'm not going to guarantee a victory or anything," said defenseman Martin Vinopal. "But I can say we probably won't lose."