#20 Antonio Aurilio fist bumps teammates after the Vikings’ 4th straight win at home. // Nat Ballard
The Western Washington University Vikings Hockey team made a powerful start to the season on their home ice rink over the past two weeks, sweeping back-to-back home weekends at the Bellingham Sportsplex.
Ticket lines stretched out the entrance door, down toward the neighboring soccer arena as fans packed into the rink. Near the main doors, children gathered with hockey sticks and balls, honing and practicing their own skills before taking their seats. During whistles, when the clock stopped and the skaters froze, the whirring of the facility's machines and fans echoed through the building, the leftover ice specks glittering on the rink after the Zamboni made its rounds.
Opening weekend kicked off on October 10 with a dramatic game finished in overtime against Montana Tech. #91 Aaron James scored the first goal, with an assist from #33 Ethan Secord. #15 Ethan Franzen followed up with an unassisted goal, and #10 Matthew Topham bagged a third goal assisted by #17 Andrew Fan. In a 3-3 tie as the Vikings go into overtime, Aaron James sealed the 4-3 victory off a setup from Matthew Topham.
The next day, on October 11, the Vikings dominated Montana again in a 6-0 shutout. Starting things off, #22 Kai Slette scored the opening goal before Aaron James followed up with two more, both assisted by Andrew Fan. Andrew Fan then scored a goal of his own, assisted by Aaron James and brother #92 Jacob James. Matthew Topham and Andrew Fan capped off the night by scoring one more each, both assisted by Aaron James and Jacob James.
The Vikings' momentum carried right into the next home weekend against Washington State University. On Friday, October 16, WWU secured a 4-1 victory. #20 Antonio Aurilio opened the game with a goal, followed by Ethan Secord’s goal, assisted by #34 Declan Quinn and #11 Cooper Huntersmith. Jacob James then found the net with assists from both Aaron James and Andrew Fan. Ethan Secord rounded out the night with his second goal of the game, this time unassisted.
While parents from both squads made the trip, the home crowd overwhelmingly belonged to the Vikings, the arena erupted every time they took control of the ice. Intensity showed at every face-off, with players hunched low over their sticks awaiting the ref to drop the puck. The referees kept a tight whistle on the blue lines, repeatedly calling plays to keep the action in check.
The Vikings continued a 4-game sweep through Saturday, October 17, with a 4-2 win over WSU. Aaron James kicked off the scoring once again. Ethan Secord added another goal, assisted by Andrew Fan and Aaron James. Jacob James struck next, assisted by Matthew Topham and #74 Zachary Albercio. While Cooper Huntersmith ended the night with a final goal, assisted by Declan Quinn.
WWU fans' and players' families were engaged in every moment, connected to one another through their love for the team. With four straight victories on home ice, the Vikings sit at an ideal 4-0-0 at home to kick off the season as they look ahead to their next matchup on Sunday, October 25 against USC.
Cody Sauter
