Vikings looking for first win, welcoming in WSU

Photo Credit: Natalie Ballard

Here we go, Viking fans – another weekend battle at home starts tonight. The Western Washington University Vikings  face off against the Washington State University Cougars tonight, 10/18, at 10:30 p.m., and then again tomorrow, 10/19, at 7 p.m.

The Viks are coming off a tough weekend against the EWU Eagles, losing 9-1 Friday and 7-5 Saturday. On the bright side, two newcomers to the team, Ethan Secord and Soren Shafer, each tallied their first goals as Vikings during Saturday’s game.

Meanwhile, the Cougars are coming off two games against the San Jose State Spartans,  with neither ending in their favor, losing 5-3 and 9-1 respectively. As a whole, the Cougs are 0-4 on the season, a record they have in common with the Viks. 

The Cougars’ roster is rife with rookies, and their goalie is no different. Of the four listed on their roster, freshman Alexei Kuhl is expected in net tonight. Kuhl has history in both AA and AAA hockey, playing his last season with the Pacific Edge Hockey Association (18U).  He competed in  18U Nationals, where he was ranked 38th amongst all goalies competing, with a 878 SV%. 

The Viks’ man between the pipes has been sophomore Jack Wildhirt, who’s started all four games thus far. He sports a .856 SV%, saving 178 of the 208 shots he’s faced.

There’s no way of telling who will come away with the W this weekend and finally break the goose egg on their record, but with both teams coming off crushing losses, it’s sure to be a hard-fought battle.