In the frozen Battle of I-35, the Texas State Bobcats (4-10) lost to the UTSA Roadrunners (12-5) in a home-and-home series of sorts as the two share the Northwoods Ice Center as home ice. Both games featured fierce defense, savvy defense and plenty of extra-curricular physicality as both squads battled for bragging rights in San Antonio.
Game 1: UTSA 5, Texas State 3
UTSA jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first Period with scores by Junior forward Jaylen Mendez and senior forward Jonathan Blum. Texas State bit back with an unassisted goal by sophomore forward Frederik Chagnon, but another UTSA goal left the Bobcats down 3-1 in a game marked by defensive stands.
The second period saw the Bobcats find offensive life with junior forward Issac Jensen and freshman defender Connor Claughton finding the back of the net.
However, Mendez kept the Roadrunners in front to carry a 4-3 lead into the final frame. Mendez eventually completed his hat-trick in the third period, bringing the final score to 5-3. It was a pedestrian offensive showing for the Bobcats, despite outshooting the Roadrunners 33-23.
Game 2: UTSA 4, Texas State 3
Saturday’s edition of this rivalry saw a flipping of scripts, as the Bobcats came out attacking and finding open ice against a gassed-looking Roadrunners team.
Claughton, one of the goal scorers from the previous night’s contest, opened scoring almost as soon as the puck was dropped, benefitting from an unnecessary penalty by UTSA on the power play. However, the hearts on the Bobcat bench sank as Claughton left the ice minutes later, nursing an injured right wrist and would not return.
The Offense continued to hum in Claughton’s absence, with an unassisted slapshot by junior forward Austin Alcala threading the defense. The first period was marked by rough, violent play as both teams visited the penalty box a total of 12 times, seven of which were roughing penalties.
Texas State carried the 2-0 lead into the second period, before seniors Jordan Nolan and Travis Sorce tied the game at two goals apiece, both assisted by Friday night’s hero Mendez. Both teams continued the familiar theme of chippiness as both were assessed 10-minute majors for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
The third period saw the dam fully burst for Texas State as Mendez scored his 4th goal of the I-35 series and the Roadrunners took their first lead of the game six minutes into the third period. Sophomore winger Corey Devereaux added salt to the wound with an unassisted wrister that found the top shelf.
Junior winger Garrett Schantz pulled the home team within one with a late goal, but the offense stalled out late as the Roadrunners claimed victory for the second time in as many nights.
Despite giving up four goals, Bobcats junior goaltender Shaughn Rourke was outstanding on the night, making 53 saves, 28 of those coming in the 2nd period alone.
Texas State will take a winter break to regroup and assess their situation as they lace up the skates again on at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 3, against Baylor University at the Starcenter in Waco. All the Bobcats games can be streamed for free at Black Dog Hockey.
