The Montana Tech hockey team lost to San Jose (2-0) in the first round of the Western Regionals in Logan, Utah on Friday. This was the third meeting of the two teams, as the Orediggers beat the Spartans twice in Butte two weeks ago.
Despite racking up 46 shots on goal to San Jose's 25, the Orediggers couldn't make them count and the Spartan's goalie held on for the shutout. Oredigger goalie, Max Lucas, tallied 23 saves. Montana Tech's penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on four San Jose power plays. The Diggers were a bit shorthanded without senior Matt Hutchings for the game as he cracked his rib in the last meeting with the Spartans.
The Orediggers ended their season 15-9, with their second trip to West Regionals in as many years. In addition to the seven seniors that graduated in December, two more seniors will graduate this May so it will be a pretty young team going into the fall semester. The Orediggers will start off their season next September 9th with the Alumni game and the 3rd Annual Shindig post-game social on Friday, followed by a golf tournament at the Old Works in Anaconda on Saturday morning.
For questions or more information, please Mary North-Abbott at 406-496-4810.