Aztecs take hold of first place

Simi Valley, Calif.- The battle for sole possession of first place in the WCHC didn't disappoint Saturday as San Diego State hung on for a 6-5 win over Cal State Northridge.

The Aztecs are now two points ahead of the Matadors with one conference game remaining for each. SDSU will host Long Beach State on January 21st while CSUN will travel to Cal State Fullerton on January 27th. The Aztecs need just one point against the 49ers to clinch first place for the playoffs.

The game was fast, physical, and back-and-forth all night. San Diego State got on the board at 13:49 when Brandon Neveu beat Brandon Kalvoda. The Aztecs doubled their lead at 9:50 when Isaac Miller knocked the puck out of mid air at the red line and scored on a slap shot. CSUN answered back at 1:09 when Max Goen beat Austin Hathcoat with a wrist shot.

San Diego State came out strong in the second period and scored three unanswered. The first was from Anthony Mata, then Isaac Miller again while 4-on-4 and finally Josh Nobida. After that goal at 7:30 to make it 5-1 Aztecs, Kalvoda was pulled for Vincent Sepe. San Diego State ran into penalty trouble late in the period which got the Matadors back in the game. Eli Berengut stuffed home the puck at 5:07 to narrow the lead to three. One minute and fourteen seconds later John Blascoe deflected in an Alex Reints shot also on the power play to make it 5-3.

Reints got a PPG of his own at 14:30 of the third period off a rebound to cut the Aztec lead to one. CSUN then ran into penalty trouble and it cost them the game winner. While 5-on-3 Patrick Miller scored to make it 6-4 Aztecs. The Matadors didn't quit and Isaac Breault deflected in a Garrett Heftye shot to once again get the deficit down to one. The Matadors pulled Sepe with one minute remaining but couldn't get the equalizer.

The Matadors and Aztecs split the regular season series with each team earning a one goal victory.