Rust Shows Against Fullerton

UCLA's first two games after a lengthy break against non-conference foe CSU Fullerton resulted in disappointing losses, 4-6 in Panorama City on Friday night and 3-7 in Anaheim on Saturday night. The losses showed that the Bruins have some kinks to work out in order to finish the season strong and make a run at a Pac-8 title. The Bruins hope to bounce back this weekend with the possible return of some key contributors in a weekend slate at CSU Long Beach.

Bruins Back in Action After Extensive Break

Following a break for the holidays and fall term finals, the Bruins returned to practice this week, eager to begin the second half of the season. Defenseman Omar Sandhu returns to the team after a year-long absense, helping to strengthen the Bruin blue line corps. UCLA opens a home-and-home series against CSU Fullerton on Friday, Jan. 8 at 8:30 at Valley Ice Center. Saturday's game at is at 7:30 at KHS Arena in Anaheim.

Support UCLA Hockey and the LA Kings this Thursday

The UCLA Hockey team is taking part in an exciting fundraising opportunity in collaboration with the Los Angeles Kings. As part of the Kings "UCLA Night" for their game agains the Ottawa Senators this Thursday, December 3rd, the hockey team has been given an allotment of tickets to sell, with proceeds going towards the UCLA Hockey team! To get tickets to the game, and help UCLA hockey, go to Lakings.com/uclahockey.

News and Notes, 11/3/2009

- The Daily Bruin provided a recap of the weekend's sweep over USC. Click here to read the article

- UCLA's success over the weekend moved them into a tie for 3rd-place with ASU in the Pac-8 standings. Undefeated defending champion Oregon remains in 1st place.

- The Bruins welcome Pac-8 foe Washington to town for a two-game series this weekend. The games are Friday Nov. 6 and Saturday Nov. 7, with each starting at 8:30pm in Panorama City. A year ago, UW advanced to the Pac-8 championship game and are currently nipping at the heels of the Bruins in the Pac-8 standings. Come out and support the team as they look to move up the Pac-8 standings in what are sure to be two exciting games.

SWEEP! Bruins Take First Two Games in Crosstown Cup

Arch rival USC has held the Crosstown Cup, awarded annually to the winner of the UCLA-USC five-game season-long series, for four consecutive seasons and had won 8 of their last 9 games against the Bruins. This Bruins team sought to reverse that recent history entering the opening two games of the series on Oct. 29th and 30th. When the final buzzer sounded on the most significant weekend for the program in years, UCLA stormed the ice in celebration, having secured two thrilling victories, putting themselves on the brink of their first Crosstown Cup since 2005.

Freshman Zach Tenney, playing in his first game as a Bruin, scored 1:45 into overtime on Thursday night to give the Bruins a 5-4 win in a back-and-forth game one. Senior forward Alex Horowitz erupted for his first two goals of the season in the second period, including one lacrosse-style goal in which he cradled the puck on his stick through the air from behind the net then fired it into far-side of the goal, electrifying the UCLA home crowd and sending the Bruin bench into delirium. Other goal-scorers were Neal Parsons, who opened the scoring, and Nick Panzica, whose goal tied the game 4-4 in the third period. The overtime session was only possible with inspired Bruins defensive play in the final six minutes of regulation, which included killing off three penalties and a penalty shot save by Al Ricciardelli.

Friday night's contest took a different tone, as the Bruins played excellent two-way hockey in piling up a three goal lead, then held off a furious third period USC rally to record a 3-2 win. The forward line consisting of Daniel Vaynter, Michael Carder, and Zach Tenney was dominant throughout, with each picking up a goal. Vaynter's third-period tally was his first career goal against the Trojans and proved to be the game-winner.

UCLA Hockey Featured in Daily Bruin

The Daily Bruin printed an article today covering UCLA Hockey and the recent games against Cal. Along with recaps of the two games and team history and information, the article had quotes from assistant coach Matt Lester, senior Michael Madatovian, and freshman Jay Singh. Click here to read the article

"Big Goal Brad" Kay Salvages Weekend Split With Cal in Shootout

Senior Center Brad Kay's sudden-victory shootout goal gave the Bruins a 7-6 comeback win and a weekend split against Cal on Saturday Oct. 17 in Panorama City after 65 minutes of play and a five-man shootout weren't enough to determine a winner. Rookie netminder Al Ricciardelli was stellar in the shootout, turning away 4 Cal attempts. The UCLA offense buzzed throughout regulation and overtime, generating 59 shots on net, led by David Carlton's two goals. Daniel Vaynter, Jay Boffa, Nick Panzica, and Michael Carder also scored, with Vaynter and Carder's erasing a two-goal third period deficit to force overtime.

In the opening game of the series on Friday night, the Bruins suffered a disappointing 2-5 loss. Goals were scored by Vaynter and Kay.

Shorthanded UCLA Squad Falters in Eugene

UCLA was swept in back-to-back games against the defending Pac-8 champion Oregon Ducks Friday Oct. 9 and Saturday Oct. 10. Playing without several key contributors unable to make the trip, the thin Bruins line-up couldn't hold on to strong 1st period performances in each game. Returning 1st-team All Pac-8 forward Daniel Vaynter recorded the only UCLA goal of the weekend, assisted by veteran Jay Boffa, in Saturday's contest.

Bruins Sweep Stanford, Head up to Oregon

UCLA completed the sweep of Stanford with a 5-3 win on Sunday night. Freshman Micheal Carder and Senior Daniel Vaynter both contributed two goals to the winning cause for the second night in a row. The Bruins will now head up to Orgeon to play the defending Pac-8 champion Ducks in Eugene on Friday Oct. 9 and Saturday Oct. 10.

Bruins Open Season With Explosive Additions

The Bruins played their first game of the new season against LMU at Culver City on Thursday, October 1st 2009. While the game ended 8-7 in favor of the Lions, the Bruins were encouraged by the play of the new additions to the roster, with freshmen Micheal Carder scoring one and Jonathan Lee tallying two. Veterans Jay Boffa, David Carlton, and Daniel Vaynter also contributed with one goal apiece.

On Friday, October 2nd, the Bruins traveled north to the Bay Area for their first Pac-8 game against the Stanford Cardinal. Even with the early 4:40pm start time, the Bruins were able to pull off a close 4-3 win thanks to the two goals scored by Vaynter and Carder each. The Bruins are excited to finish the series against Stanford tomorrow at 6:00pm at the Redwood City Ice Oasis.