Freshman, Sasha Alic scores the lone Husky goal.

The University of Southern California (USC) skated into Seattle with an
ACHA West ranking of three, and a perfect 15-0 PAC-8 record. The
Huskies countered with a number 10 ranking in the West and a 10-1
league record. Despite out shooting the Trojans 30-27, the Huskies
dropped a heartbreaker to USC 4-1.

The Dawgs skated hard the entire game, but was unable to finish on
scoring opportunities, and figure out the riddle that was USC goaltender
Richard Dyer. The freshman was able to keep the Dawgs at bay as they
attempted in every fashion to claw themselves into the game.

“We had excitement, but just couldn’t put it away,” explained Washington
coach Cindy Dayley. “We were just too excited.”

It would take the opening minute of the third period to finally sink the
Dawgs, as USC was able to attain and retain a two-goal lead, as Trojan
forward Remy Bickoff was able to catch Washington goalie Matt Harrow off
guard. Bickoff’s quick wrist shot from the circle stunned the Huskies, as
they were unable to get back to within a goal.

Bickoff proved to be a thorn in the Dawgs side the entire night, as his
two goals both came at critical points in the game.

He started off the scoring for the Trojans in the first period, as he came
left to right across Harrow’s crease and was able to draw first blood on
the power play.

Penalties would haunt the Husky skaters for most of the night, as
Washington would rack up 51 penalty minutes, with 29 of those minutes
in the second period alone. USC only managed to gather 26 minutes in
penalties. When those 26 minutes were being spent, the Dawgs crashed
the net with reckless abandon.

With one minute gone the Huskies first power play of the night, Husky
assistant captain Sean O’Brien almost got the Dawgs on the board first.
Dyer, who finished the night with 26 saves, however would deny his
redirected shot attempt.

In the closing seconds of the first, the Dawgs again tried to even the
score.

Washington forward Brett Lawrence stole a USC pass, and found himself
with just one defender between him and the goalie. His shot found Dyer’s
shoulder, and popped straight up in the air. The puck landed behind
Dyer’s legs, but he was able to cover the puck and quell the Husky attack.

The second period was more of the same for the Huskies, despite
spending much of the period in the box, as they continued to attack Dyer
left and right, however was unable to finish off opportunities that had
been laid out in front of them.

It would take most of the second period for the Trojans to take a two-
goal lead. Dustin Mann was able to finally put a puck in the back of the
net, as the Huskies were unable to clear the puck out in front of the
crease. The constant waves of USC attackers were the final straw, as the
Dawgs scrambled.

The Huskies continued to play tough despite being down by two goals,
and finally figured out USC’s Dyer. After Washington defenseman TJ
Anderson narrowly missed a goal and Jamie O’Brien was denied at the
doorstep, newcomer Sasha Alic was able to light the lamp for the Dawgs.

Streaking towards the goal, Sean O’Brien was able to hit Alic’s stick with a
cross-ice pass, and the rebound that ensued was able to be put into the
back of the net. However, that was as close as the Dawgs would get to
the Trojan lead.

Bickoff would put a goal across within the first minute of the third period.
The Trojans would add another power play goal in the third, to tally more
power play goals against the Huskies in one game than Dawg’s power
play goals-against total for the year. With that final goal, the book was
closed on the contest.