CSULB's hockey team sweeps USC

By Jesse Munoz
Daily Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer

The 49er ice hockey team got the season started with a bang last weekend, sweeping USC in a historical two game series, and will next try to use that momentum to their advantage when they drop the puck for a pair of games against Arizona State this Friday and Saturday.

The two big victories against the heavily favored and defending 2003-04 Pac-8 champion Trojans were the first against that school in the history of Cal State Long Beach's eight-year-old hockey program.

The 49ers were led throughout both games by the play of junior goaltender Mike Bergman who made his mark on the series from between the pipes, giving up only one goal in each of the games for a save percentage of .970.

In the first game last Thursday night, CSULB grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the first period when Sophomore Keith Wallace scored to put the 49ers on the board. From there CSULB was able to fight off a physical Trojan attack, and preserved a 3-1 victory after getting two goals, one an empty netter, from senior Left-Winger Matt Schultz.

Game two on Friday night again featured a strong CSULB defense paired with a highly aggressive offense. Bergman remained solid, stopping 28 of 29 shots, and Schultz remained hot with two more goals, giving him four on the season. Sophomore Alex Florio and Junior Mike Bergman also added to the score with their first goals of the season for an impressive 4-1 Long Beach win.

The 49ers will next look to capitalize on these momentous victories when they take on Arizona State University for a two-game series beginning this Friday at 9 p.m., and continuing with Saturday's 9:30 p.m. game, both at Glacial Gardens in Lakewood.

ASU is always a powerhouse, and usually considered a threat to compete for the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) National Championship.

In addition, they are known for traveling a large number of fans across state lines for away games, which should create a raucous and exciting atmosphere at the Gardens for the weekend series.

With the National Hockey League labor lockout underway, CSULB'S hockey- starved fans are encouraged to come support the 49ers in their last home game before the team goes on the road. After the ASU match up, Long Beach will travel to San Jose next weekend to square off against both San Jose State and Palmer College, a chiropractic school located in San Jose.

From there CSULB will have a few weeks off before returning home on Nov. 11 for a rematch against Palmer College. Other match-ups this season include a home game versus UC Berkeley, and games against Brigham Young University, University of Colorado and Colorado State.