The Skatin’ Rebels swept the San Diego State Aztecs on the first weekend of November and advanced its record to 10-1-0.
The Rebels held its annual Midnight Madness game where specialty jerseys were worn and auctioned off to help fund the program.
Game One
The Rebels beat the Aztecs 6-1 in the first game of the series. Mason Kelly, Alec Johnson and Max Johnson earned the three stars of the night, with Kelly and Max Johnson scoring two goals each, and Alec Johnson getting three assists.
Goaltender Zach Wickson, defensemen Alec Johnson and Dylan Ford, and forwards Tristan Rand, Mason Kelly and Nick Flanders started for the Rebels. Netminder Garrett Fuller, defensemen Zachary Stroozas and Braden Mayer, and forwards Mason Brown, Cameron Fanaz and Patrick Fast started for the Aztecs.
Physicality was once again a key aspect of the game, as a total of 16 penalties (eight per team) were drawn.
San Diego State took the only goal and penalties of the first period.
Jake Abenojar drew the first penalty of the game, 6:56 into the game for tripping.
13:05 into the game, Brown drew the second penalty of the game for hooking.
Despite these penalties, a favorable bounce of the puck led to a Gavin O’Bryan breakaway goal for the Aztecs 17:05 into the first period.
Even though the Rebels outshot the Aztecs, 17-3 in the first period, the Aztecs headed into the locker room up 1-0 at the end of the first period.
The action began to pick up in the second period, as the Rebels put themselves on the board.
Max Johnson put the Rebels on the board 7:09 into the second period, with assists from Alec Johnson and Cole Wyatt.
The Rebels continued to outshoot the Aztecs, 18-8 in the second period, and they evened the game at 1-1 heading into the third period.
The Rebels bounced back in the third period with five goals, giving them the 6-1 lead.
Mason Kelly broke the tie with a goal 7:32 in, assisted by Alec Johnson and Flanders.
Both Aztec Braden Mayer and Rebel Heath Mensch were sent to the box eight minutes into the period. The Rebels took advantage of the open ice, and Lenzin added to the Rebels’ tally with a goal at 12:36, assisted by Bradley Golant.
Mattias Dal Monte and Yeo both took roughing minor penalties at 14:08.
Max Johnson took advantage of the four-on-four penalty kill with a goal, assisted by Alec Johnson and Cole Wyatt.
Mayer put the Rebels on their final power play of the game with a minor penalty for slashing at 14:28.
Luke Burke capitalized on the four-on-four and scored the final goal of the game at 16:17, assisted by Mensch and Strong.
The Rebels won the game 6-1 while out shooting the Aztecs for a total of 54 shots to 18.
Game Two
The Rebels dominated the Aztecs in an 8-1 win during the annual midnight madness game. Puck dropped at 11:59 p.m. The three stars of the night were Caleb Strong, Bradley Golant and Rob McCollum.
The Rebels started forwards Max Johnson, Golant and Cole Wyatt, defensemen Dal Monte and Berry, and goaltender Vinny Benedetto. The Aztecs started forwards Mason Brown, Cameron Ferraz and Patrick Fast, defensemen Zachary Stroozas and Braden Mayer, and goaltender Garrett Fuller.
Golant kicked off the scoring frenzy 10:11 into the first period with a goal assisted by Cole Wyatt and Max Johnson.
The Rebels led the Aztecs 1-0 in the first period, outshooting the Aztecs 11-2.
Strong started the second period with a goal 1:22 in, assisted by Alec Johnson and McCollum.
13 seconds later, Strong scored his second goal of the game, with assists from Mensch and Burke.
Mayer drew the second penalty for the Aztecs and the first penalty of the period with a two-minute minor for holding 7:36 seconds into the period.
Jake Abenojar put the Aztecs on the penalty kill once again at 10:24 with a tripping minor penalty.
Max Johnson capitalized on that power play with a goal 11:34 in, with assists from Dal Monte and Jaxsen Wyatt.
At 12:22, Yeo took the third Aztec penalty of the period for head contact.
Alec Johnson also capitalized on the power play with a goal at 12:40 with assists from Burke and McCollum.
Sean Devaney put the Aztecs on the board at 18:05 with a goal, assisted by Toby Petrus and Lucas Bellig.
The Rebels took the second period with a 5-1 lead, outshooting the Aztecs 21-7.
Bellig kicked off the third period with a penalty for hooking at 5:26.
Max Johnson took the first Rebel penalty of the third with a minor penalty for hooking at 7:43. Kelly was also sent to the box at the same time for unsportsmanlike conduct.
No one was able to capitalize on these power plays.
Mayer was once again sent to the box for hooking at 8:31.
McCollum scored his first goal of the game 11:09 into the period, assisted by Strong.
Berry scored his first goal of the game as well at 13:09, with assists from Justin Stathopoulos and Daniel Fisher.
Shortly after, at 14:17, McCollum served a penalty for too many men on the ice.
At 18:13, Burke finished the scoring frenzy with a goal assisted by Strong and McCollum.
Berry served the final penalty of the game for cross-checking at 18:36.
The Rebels had a total of 47 shots in the game, while the Aztecs only had 11.
Physicality played a key role in this series, as both teams made big hits.
“There’s always room for more hits,” said Strong. “And just better timing, that’s probably, you know, not giving up bad rushes.”
Up Next
The Skatin’ Rebels have a bye week this upcoming week and will prepare for the Chicago Classic. They will play Illinois State, Ohio University and Minot State University Nov. 16-18 in Chicago, Illinois.
