Senior, Brett Lawrence scores the lone Husky goal.

It was déjà vu for the Huskies on Saturday night, as they give the Trojans
a run for their money but end up on the short end of the stick as USC won
5-1. The win keeps USC’s PAC-8 record perfect, while the Huskies dropped
their second in a row, and third PAC-8 game.

It was early in each period for the Trojans, as they scored within the first
minute of the second and third periods to effectively shut down the
Dawgs. USC freshman forward Matthew Carter-Tracy notched the goal in
the second and John Blair put in the goal in the third.

USC would draw first blood in this game as well, as last night’s Husky
killer reared his head again. Remy Bickoff would score the goal for the
Trojans, who ended with three goals on the weekend.

However, despite the goals the Trojans were putting on the boards, the
Huskies continued to attack USC goalie Richard Dyer. Unfortunately, the
result for the Dawgs would be the same. Opportunities were there for the
taking, but the Huskies were unable to capitalize on scoring chances.

Twice in the first period, Jamie O’Brien and Brett Lawrence would come
down the ice on an odd man rush. Both times they would come up empty.

It wouldn’t be until the stroke of midnight and the third period that
Lawrence would spoil Dyer’s shutout opportunity. Skating from left to right
in front of Dyer, the Lawrence shot would beat him low with a shot glove
side, and put the Huskies on the board.

Missing a player and an injury in the second period on the already small
roster also limited the Dawgs from keeping the pressure on the entire
game. Husky forward Adam Senta, who did not skate the third period,
was sent to the hospital with a broken hand.

Surprisingly enough, the Husky locker room was not downtrodden. “We
learned a lot, now know what we need to do, and what level we need to
play at in February,” said Assistant Coach Harris.

The Huskies hit the road this weekend against Washington State
University, their last set of conference games before the PAC-8 conference
tournament. The following weekend the Huskies fly in the South East
direction to play Colorado State University ranked #2 in the West, to end
the regular season. February 20th and 21st the Huskies will host the
double elimination 2004 PAC-8 Championship Tournament at Olympicview
Arena.