Winning Ways Continue as Vikings Soar over Eagles
Story and Photo by: Meladie Young
The Western Washington University Vikings hockey team took on the Eastern Washington University Eagles in a two-game weekend match up on October 10 and 11 at Bellingham Sportsplex. The Vikings won both games to open up their home schedule, improving to 5-1-0 on the season and 5-1-0 in PAC-8 play.
Rookie Jesse Degan opened up the scoring on Friday night with a goal assisted by fellow rookie Tyler Chapman. Chapman scored an unassisted goal with 2:50 left in the 1st period. Andrew Fan followed closely with a goal assisted by fellow Alaskan rookie Aaron James. The first period closed with a 3-1 lead, dominated by the new additions.
Going into the second period was scoreless but with 21 seconds left, Aaron James, The Waffle Man, a promotion in which everyone at the game would’ve received 30% off select menu items at Sweet As Waffles by scoring a hat-trick, made the score 4-2 with the goal assisted by Degan and fourth year returner Bret Brumbaugh.
The Vikings were able to keep their lead with a scoreless third period, winning 4-3.
Friday’s highlights: https://youtu.be/F0QLlwJk2Gc?si=L6ePvp6spP62nnoh
The team went into Saturday's game ready to take home another win. Declan Quinn, the evening's Waffle Man, opened up the scoring followed by goals from Chapman and Ethan Secord. Ending the first period with a close 3-2 lead.
The Vikings kept the energy high going into the second period. Fan scored the first goal of the period assisted by Carver Johnson and Brumbaugh. Chapman scored his second goal of the evening with an assist from Jacob James. Closing out the second period with a 5-4 lead.
Going into the third period, the Vikings looked to preserve their lead, giving their all to the game. The Vikings were having a scoreless period until three-unanswered goals by Aaron James, Chapman and Brumbaugh, making this Chapman and the team's first hat trick of the season. The Vikings ended the game with an 8-7 win over the Eagles.
Vikings goaltenders Nolan Morena and Jack Wildhirt stood tall, as the duo jointly worked to stop 81 out of 91 shots throughout the weekend.
Saturday’s highlights: https://youtu.be/gMzTU2-NNoQ?si=j0iJShOAat0ijD-b
The Vikings will be back in action October 17 and 18 in Moscow, Idaho against the Washington State University Cougars, and October 19 against the University of Idaho Vandals.
