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Show Page II StatesmanSports Friday, Dec. 7, 2007 produced by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCHJNC A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS BYALANAYCKBOURN dec. 3 - 8 caine lyric theatre 28 west center st. CHRISTMAS CHEERP UtahStato 7:30 pm tickets $6- $10 call 797 - 8022 usu students,fn USU DEFENDER MACIEJ M I C H A L I K handles the puck against defenders from Long Beach State earlier in the fall season. Jordan Francom and M k t Geer plan on returning to the lineup in spring after sitting out the fall for personal reasons. TYLER LARSON photo Ag hockey should be improved in spring By G. CHRISTOPHER TERRY staff writer ! With three games against inrstate rivals Utah Valley, Brigham Young and Utah left in the first semester, it is time to take stock of Utah State's first semester performance and look forward to the second semester. The Aggies have fought their way to a 9-9-1 record with a depleted roster, but they have a significant chance to better that in the second half of the year. Jordan Francom and Matt Geer plan on returning to the lineup after sitting out the first semester for personal reasons. Both are big point scorers (Francom set the USU record for points by a defenseman last year) and should help the Aggies avoid getting in the kind of games which typified the first semester: a 3-4 loss to UVSC, a 3-3 tie with Long Beach, or 3-2 overtime wins over Metro State and BYU. "Right now we're lacking a lit- tle bit of scoring punch," team captain Scotty John said. "Geer is so creative, he opens it up for the other players." Francom added, "The first semester was one of the weaker parts of the season since I've been here. We're going to get all of our guys back for the second semester and hopefully it'll be a lot better. We'll be disappointed with anything less than going to nationals." Paul Reinhardt is another difference maker who will be returning to the lineup after missing the better part of the first semester due to a broken wrist. Without Francom and Reinhardt, the defensive lines have been stretched thin, forcing Ben Tikka to move back. John said he is excited about both players' returns. "Having Francom and Paul back is going to be huge," John said. "They are passionate and smart, and Francom provides-a lot of offense for us. Him alone would be a huge help for both offense and defense. Not to mention, he is a captain and he is one of the fiery guys on the team who gets guys motivated and gets guys scared." Looking ahead at the schedule, the biggest dates for the Aggies are Jan. 19 at Eastern Washington, Jan. 26 vs. Eastern Washington, Feb. 1 vs. University of Colorado, Feb. 2 vs. Colorado State and Feb. 9 vs. UVSC. "Those will be big, intense games to decide our rankings if we can even get to regionals," Francom said. "Right now we're just trying to get to regionals." Ultimately, while the .500 record does not measure up well against the historical precedent of winning USU has established, John called the first semester "adequate. We put ourselves in a position to make a run second semester. I'd say we had some ups and downs. We had some real big wins and some disappointing losses." GEICO. A15-itiinutecall could save you 15% on car insurance. 1513 N. Hillfield Rd., Suite 3 (8O1) 752-O485 •graham.terry@aggiemail.usu. edu Friday Sports Picks Specialty dessertsSammy Hislop Dave Baker 65% Ohio State, vs. LSU LSU LSU Ohio State G. Terry 69% LSU Hawaii vs. Georgia Hawaii Georgia Georgia Georgia Missouri vs. Arkansas Arkansas Missouri Missouri Arkansas Oklahoma vs. West Virginia Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma West Virginia U5C vs. Illinois use use use use Kansas vs. Virginia Tech Kansas Virginia Tech Kanasas Virginia Tech Virginia vs. Texas Tech Texas Tech Texas Tech Texas Tech Texas Tech Arizona State vs. Texas Texas Texas Arizona State Texas Florida vs. Michigan Florida Florida Florida Florida Clemson vs. Auburn Auburn Auburn Auburn Auburn Wisconsin, vs. Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Wisconsin BYU vs. UCLA BYU UCLA BYU BYU Utah vs. Navy Utah Utah Utah Utah Kentucky vs. Florida State Florida State Kentucky Kentucky Florida State Boise St. vs. East Carolina -1 Boise State Boise State Boise State Boise State Fresno St. vs. Georgia Tech Georgia Tech Georgia Tech Georgia Tech Fresno State Houston vs. Texas Christian TCU TCU TCU TCU New Mexico vs. Nevada Nevada Nevada Nevada Nevada Games Sam Bryner 63% Lava Cake, Cream Puffs, Carrot Cake etc. Scroll-work plates Fancy plastic serveware Bulk foods for receptions Large selection of colored tablecloths 647 North Main. • Logan, UT 84321 Phone: 435-752-7770 • Toll Free: 800-657-6319 |