In a violent match for their first home game of the month, Weber State University’s hockey team held off the University of Utah in a 4–1 victory on Oct. 7.

The physicality was at an all-time high. In the first period alone, Weber State had a total of nine penalties. The penalty that stood out the most was a fight between Weber State forward Osmn Cholak and Utah defender Otto Chao. As a result of the brawl, Cholak was ejected from the game.

Yegor Khomyakov scored first for the Wildcats on a two-vs.-one fast break. Khomyakov split the legs of the defender and chipped it into the top-right corner.

“When the defender moved towards me, I already knew what move I was going to do and I had to get it in,” Yegor said.

Khomyakov’s intense play continued after the goal as he maneuvered around a defender to have a puck hit the top of the crossbar and drop. The officials initially didn’t recognize the shot as a goal but later determined it crossed the line, giving Khomyakov his second goal of the night.

Nearing the end of the second period, forward Jaden Hewes fed forward Cole VanNorman the puck on a give-and-go play, giving Weber State another goal. The Utes answered back thirty seconds before the end of the second period with a goal from forward Jovial Milich, making the score 3–1.

Utah decided to pull their goalie in the third period, giving the Wildcats an opportunity to take advantage of an open net. Weber State scored during the transition for the final goal of the game.

“We wanted to get out in front first and make them chase the game,” Wildcat coach Yosh Ryujin said. “It’s important for us to come out strong and get that win.”

Playing back-to-back, Weber State secured another win, beating Montana State 3–2 on Oct. 8.

Forwards Cory Mater, Jakob Besnilian and Andrei Shmakov all came away from their matchup against the Bobcats with goals, boosting the team’s season record to 6–3.

The Wildcats’ next home game will be against Boise State University on Oct. 28. The puck will drop at 7:15 p.m.