OCR Text |
Show StateSManSpOrtS Friday, Jan. 15, 2010 Page 9 HOCKEY Hockey captain invited to compete on international stage league's all-star team for a European tour. Arsenault was one of four returning players who went on the team's tour in the 2007-'08 season. The other three players were Michigan State's Ryan Hernandez of Long Beach, Calif., Davenport University's Adam Thomas of Kentwood, Mich., and Eastern Washington's Michael Truex of Corona, Calif. USU coach Jon Eccles said he was proud of the trip that Arsenault made and hopes he can convince the all-star forward to stick around for his last year of ACHA eligibility. "I'm glad he turned it down," Eccles said of Arsenault's contract offer. "I know he's had some offers — people are looking at him — and we really hope to get him back next year. He's got things going for him. It's a great opportunity. Lots of scouts get to see you over there. He was really marketing himself By LANDON HEMSLEY sports senior writer The American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) selected the captain of the USU Hockey Club, Kent Arsenault, to be a member of a 26-player all-star team that toured Europe to play several semipro teams over the winter break. The ACHA selected 26 of the best D-2 players from around the country and sent them to play six games in five countries over 12 days. Aside from playing, the team was able to enjoy some of the sites in Europe. Arsenault and the selection visited a number of locations in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy and France, including a Nazi concentration camp. Arsenault said he'll never forget the trip. "We saw a bunch of castles in Germany," Arsenault said. "In Austria and Switzerland, we went and saw the Alps. In France we went to Annecy, where the 2018 Olympics will be, so we got to check out that city for one full day. In Italy we were in a beautiful spot — it was absolutely amazing. You can't say enough. You have to be there to be able to experience it." Arsenault was in Europe for more than just sightseeing, he brought his game with him. He was the all-star team's leading goal and points scorer, with 10 goals and seven assists over six games. Arsenault said he did well enough to be offered a contract by some of the teams. And although he is not currently interested in playing hockey professionally, he said he will definitely pursue that achievement in the future. "I had a couple offers there," Arsenault said. "Some semipro teams were interested. I simply told them that I wanted to finish my education first. I gave my contact information, and I'll be in touch with them in the next couple years to figure things out and go over there." Considering Arsenault's stats on the tour, the contract offers do not come as much of a surprise. Arsenault took no time to heat up, scoring his first 10 goals with 14:12 remaining in the second period of the first game. Arsenault loaded on three more assists during the opening game to help his team on its way to a 17-0 win against Val Vanoise of Pralognan, France. Despite the results, Arsenault was quick to say that not every game was as much of a blowout for the ACHA Selection Team. "It was good competition," Arsenault said. "They were Division II, Division II teams — pretty high teams. 30-yearolds — older guys who've been playing pro for five-plus years. We brought our best players over, and it was good competition. I mean, two games weren't too good of a competition, but the other four were good." Arsenault was directly involved with three of his team's four goals in the second game, scoring two of them in the second period against HC Yverdon of Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, on Dec. 30. Arsenault also netted two goals on Jan. 2 against Garmering Wanderers, a German team, and then added two more goals and two more assists in a 15-1 rout of an Italian team from Vitipeno, Italy. Arsenault was held scoreless in the team's 8-3 beat-down of ECDC Memmingen of Memmingen, AGGIE CAPTAIN KENT ARSENAULT (LEFT) skates past a Germany, but rebounded in the final game and helped his defender during a 6-4 victory against the San Jose State Spartans earteam to a 5-2 win over EC Ehrwald of Ehrwald, Austria. lier this year. PETE P SMITHSUTH photo This is not the first time that Arsenault has played on the when he went and played. This year he stepped it up." Arsenault said he was pleased to do well on such a high level. "I did fairly well," Arsenault said. "I was expecting to. This was my last shot over there for scouting purposes and to move on after I graduate from here." With plans for the future and the rest of the season ahead, Arsenault's future is in his hands. He said he'll look back on the trip and the friendships he built on the team with fondness. "It was a great experience overall," Arsenault said. "I made some great life-long friends there with some guys that I'll keep in touch with for the rest of my life, for sure." More information on the ACHA European tour is availabe at www.achahockey.org. — la.hem@aggiemaiLusu.edu BAR I ABOMB OCHS ADEN LANA I ALEC HAVEWEMETBEFORE S 0 DS R I ED AN E TO A MASCARAMELTDOWN ENOS !TINA ILIE SENT SHEEP ZANY For Your Princess For more than a century, thousands of couples throughout Northern Utah have experienced fair and honest transactions at S.E. Needham Jewelers. We consistently beat the prices of 50-70% off sales, so-called wholesale prices, internet sites, and student discounts. You will find superior value at our store; we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee to back it up. Boise State seeks first WAC win at USU By TYLER HUSKINSON staff writer After a big conference road win on Wednesday, Jan. 13 against the Nevada Wolf Pack, the Utah State Aggies (12-6, 22) host the Boise State Broncos (9-9, 0-5) Saturday, Jan. 16 at the Spectrum and look to get above .500 in Western Athletic Conference play. The Aggies have done a near flawless job of protecting their home court so far this season and sport a 9-1 home record. Even though the Broncos are returning five players from last years' team, they have struggled in the season and are currently on a four-game losing streak. Junior forward Ike Okoye is averaging 13.4 points and 9 rebounds per game. Junior guard La'Shard Anderson contributes 12 points per game and is leading the team with four assists per contest. Junior forward Robert Arnold is the only other Bronco averaging double-digits with 11.3 points. The last time the two teams played, the Broncos defeated the Aggies 66-56 at Taco Bell Arena in Boise delaying the Aggies out-right claim to the WAC Championship. Senior forward Mark Sanchez led the Broncos with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting and guard Anthony Thomas chipped in 18 points. Neither team played great offense but the Broncos shot 41.8 percent from the field while the Aggies only managed just 36.5 percent from the field. USU is currently averaging 73.6 points per game and allowing their opponents to score 61.4 per game. The Meet the Challenge USU (12-61 VS. BOISE ST. (9-91 Stew Morrill (12th year) Greg Graham (8th year) Broncos are averaging 74.4 points per game but are allowing their opponents to score 72.4 points per game. — ty.d.hus@aggiemaiLusu.edu Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 - 7:00 www.serteeditamcom ase- 8.8 7.9 12.2 F- Robert Arnold G- La'Shard Anderson G- Anthony Thomas 11.3 12 7.1 Redemption in Reno: Ags win in OT continued from page 8 Johnson finished with 10 points and Fields finished with 13 points. "I think we ran out of gas," Wolf Pack head coach David Carter said to the Reno Gazette Journal. "The guys won't admit it, but I played Luke a lot of minutes and Armon and Brandon. We settled for a lot of jump shots, instead of going inside." The Ags definitely felt the fatigue, as well. Newbold logged 44 minutes, while Quayle was close behind with 42 minutes and Bendall finished the night with 35 minutes. "It was like two heavyweight fighters out there when you get to overtime," Morrill said. "There were some tired kids out there trying to finish a game and trying to make a few plays, and we hung in there. It's nice to play tough and play close and find a way to win. That should help us." Williams hit 7-of-9 shots from the field and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc for 15 points on the night and was responsible for containing Johnson. "I thought that's Pooh's best effort on the road, by far, by far," Morrill said. Junior forward Tai Wesley only scored two points in the first half, but scored 13 in the second half and played solid post defense, recording four blocks on the night. "We gotta get back and understand that this road win gets canceled out if we let Boise come in and beat us. We've gotta get ourselves ready to go, but right now we need to enjoy the win," Morrill said. Middle of ear kW! ■ e ea' mAgn of eae ehdl. EJ :; 11 ;.5" Yp9cysrlxtbook dropped! Jan. 15, Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, 7:05 p.m. USU probable starters Nevada probable starters 11.1 C- Nate Bendall C- Kurt Cunningham 8.9 F- Tai Wesley 13.6 F- Ike OkOye 13.4 F- Tyler Newbold G- Pooh Williams G- Jared Quayle When Utah Gets Digavd! 141 North Main • 752-7149 Math 1100 was: $186.35 now: $90 used even lower BOOK U MT— RE UtahState US University |