Huskies assert themselves as top dawg in dominant showing over Bulldogs

By Charles Hamaker 

Northgate, WA – In the first game of a back-to-back between the visiting Gonzaga Bulldogs and hosting Washington Huskies, the home side put up on absolute clinic on their opponent from the Eastern part of the state. The Huskies, in seemingly routine fashion, wore down their opponent and piled on the goals as the night went on. Donning their sleek throwback uniforms, the Huskies took the lead in the first period off of a loose puck and Gonzaga was never able to recover.  

Swinging first 

The Husky offensive attack has been a high-powered one all season long, and similar to some many other teams in Washington’s way, Gonzaga had no chance at slowing them down. The Washington attack took advantage of a loose puck in front of the Gonzaga net as Husky captain Aaron Morris put it home. Morris seemed to be seeing double, as just a few minutes after that initial goal he ate up a juicy rebound off of a teammate shot from the blueline.  

Immediately after Washington had taken that two-goal lead, Gonzaga was able to jump on the Huskies off the faceoff and create a 3-1 situation that resulted in a goal for the visitors. Husky goaltender Tyler Roberts was put in a tough situation and couldn’t elevate his pad to block the puck. Further into the period, Michael Shippee was able to help the Huskies respond to Gonzaga, scoring a power play goal with just under five minutes in the opening period. Washington was able to close out the opening frame thanks to a Daniel Smith tap in goal on the doorstep, sending the Huskies to the break with a 4-1 lead.  

Hammering on 

The second period was really when the Huskies ran away with the game, scoring five goals and making it seven unanswered since the Gonzaga’s first score of the night. Washington appeared to take advantage of a Gonzaga Bulldog’s team that they tired out, catching their opponent in several odd-man rushes and often times catching Gonzaga defenders out of position. That sort of offensive firepower, coming in waves and waves eventually did get to a point where Gonzaga was getting caught in numerous break away opportunities for the Huskies. The visiting Bulldogs were able to score to begin the third period, but it mattered not.  

Quick notes 

• 6 different Huskies scored against Gonzaga in this game 

• Michael Shippee, Daniel Smith, Blake Strand, Matthew Klenk, Max Arzumanov 

• 3 Huskies had multi-goal games 

• Daniel Smith, Aaron Morris, and Max Arzumanov 

• Morris had a hat trick while Smith and Arzumanov both logged two goals 

• 2 Huskies scored on the power play 

• Michael Shippee, Matthew Klenk 

What’s next? 

The Huskies and Bulldogs will meet again, in the second game of a back-to-back. Tomorrow, Saturday February 4th, the two in-state “rivals” will battle at the Kraken Community Iceplex as the Huskies will celebrate Senior Night. It’s sure to be an excellent turnout as Washington’s seniors will have loved ones in attendance, and the Husky band will be in attendance as well to motivate the Huskies to another potential victory.  

Photos by Bryan Saldana

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