Weber State University’s hockey team kicked off the 2025 half of the season with a 4–3 loss against in-state rival Utah State University on Jan. 10.
The last match between the two teams was at the George S. Eccles Ice Center in Logan on Nov. 15, which Weber State also lost 4–3.
The Aggies were the ones to strike first, with forward Dillon Hale shushing the crowd by scoring at minute 12:55 in the first period. With about five minutes left in the first period, Weber State’s Landon Reed was injured by an elbowing violation by Aggie Griffin Perreault. Perreault was then moved to the penalty box for five minutes, which gave Weber a one-man advantage to try to tie things up. Weber looked to answer, peppering the Utah State goalie with 23 shots in the first period alone, but not even one could find the back of the net.
Heading into the second period, Utah State continued where they left off, achieving 17 shots in the period, accounting for two goals from Zach Pires and Jack LaFontaine. Weber was shocked, as they were in the same position they had put Utah State in just two months prior. With four seconds left in the second period, Wildcat defenseman Aiden Thede took matters into his own hands and gave a spark of life to the team with a goal. Weber would then look to the third period to capitalize on that goal.
Weber then got back to their game with Noah Takitani scoring at minute 10:05 being assisted by Caden Hunter and Kevin Norwood. Two minutes later, Takitani tied things up 3–3, with Norwood contributing another assist for the goal.
However, with three minutes left on the clock, Aggie Owen Ramsay made a goal, and Utah State ended the game with a 4–3 victory.
“The effort was there; we just weren’t putting our energy into the right places,” head coach Yosh Ryujin said. “As we came out in the third, we started getting pucks to the net. We made a conscious effort to get in the zone, and get pucks on net, and hope for the best … It’s unfortunate that we gave up that one with five minutes left after we spent a lot of energy getting back to even being down three to nothing. So, you know, it’s the way it goes.”
The Wildcats also faced off against Utah Valley University on Jan. 11 and came away with a 4–2 win in Orem.
Weber State will now prepare for their trip to the Big Mountain Classic in Greeley, Colorado, where they will play four games in four days from Jan. 17-20.