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Montana State Bobcats split hockey doubleheader at Eastern Washington

Posted at 5:10 PM, Dec 03, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-03 19:10:40-05

(Editor’s note: Report by Merrick Parnell, Northern Hockey News)

CHENEY, Wash. — Montana State resumed its hockey season after the Thanksgiving break with a two-game series against Eastern Washington, another top-10-ranked team in the American Collegiate Hockey Association West region.

On Friday, the Bobcats clipped the Eagles 4-2, with four different Bobcat skaters netting goals. Ryan Padden, Ross Hanson, Gavin Gary, and Luke Bing would all light the lamp for Montana State. Christian Butler would have another solid start in goal for Montana State, as he made 31 saves.

“We battled through a rough stretch in the second period and found a way to close the game out in the third,” said Butler. “I was happy I made some timely saves and gave our team the opportunity to get an important win on the road.”

On Saturday, the Bobcats fell 4-3 to the Eagles, splitting the series.

“Eastern Washington is a team we are dead-even with in the rankings, so we knew coming that these were important games,” said MSU assistant coach Brian Engh. “We did what we had to do on Friday night to get a hard-fought win, but (Saturday) we just fell short. I’m proud of the way the guys competed. Both games turned into dogfights, and the guys stayed in it and battled until the end in two physical games.”

Montana State will return home this weekend to take on the No. 1-ranked University of Mary Marauders on Friday and Saturday. For more info on Montana State University hockey, check out msuhockey.com.