Steffen Bell
Ogden Mustangs Broadcaster
OGDEN, Ut. -- Another weekend of hockey at the Ice Sheet and another bookmark in the dubbed 'Revenge Tour' for these Mustangs.
"As a team, we played well together in the defensive zone and we're working towards a common goal of our revenge tour this season," Cameron Hawks said. "I wouldn't put it on one player. The team is working better as a group and I was the successor of that this weekend."
Hawks registered a goal and three assists in two games last weekend and led the Mustangs in scoring. On Wednesday, Hawks was named USPHL Premier: West Region Player of the Week.
The returning squad of fifteen players all agreed that there was unfinished business this season and early signs show that the new additions received the message loud and clear.
Ogden's forecheck got to work early and often as they outshot the Outliers 16-3 in the opening period.
Seth Jones scored the eventual game-winning goal 4:52 into the contest after he, Andrew Alonzo and Cory Mater dominated almost a full minute of offensive zone possession. That shift would be an example of what the fans would see the rest of the game.
A four-goal outburst in the 3rd put a stamp on their performance and multiple heroes emerged in a dizzying sixty minutes of dominance. Their 6-0 shutout was the first stop in an eleven-leg trip against their rivals.
"It was an entertaining game. The Outliers put up good quality shots, so it felt like there was more pressure," said Savva Serdiuk. He earned his first career junior shutout victory on Friday night in a 13-save effort.
Fast-forward 24 hours, the Riverblades entered the Ice Sheet for the first time since January and it did not take long for the fireworks to ignite.
Jake Meure drew a minor penalty 1:42 into the first period and then Bryce Miller dazzled on the man advantage to put his team ahead for good. The talented Utah native quickly noted that Saturday was his night, but everyone has bought into the team goals.
"Everyone is doing their part," Miller said. "We're all working hard and, of course, we all want points. We're a deep and balanced team this year and it's just a lot of fun playing with this group."
Miller and Dimitri Voyatzis are two of the critical pieces to the puzzle in assembling this roster. Voyatzis drew a major penalty with 0:35 to go in the first period and then added a goal of his own in third.
"Unreal weekend," Voyatzis emphatically stated. "Coaches prepared us for a challenging two games and we got the job done. Personally, I don't care too much about points -- I could do better there, but it was amazing to see the team get back-to-back shutouts."
Randon Striplin notched his second win as many games in a solid 22-save shutout. He joined Serdiuk in earning his first career junior hockey shutout while improving to 2-1 this season.
As the buzzer sounded on Saturday night and the Mustangs began to celebrate their most recent feat with fans during the first 'Skate with the Stangs' since 2019: Back-to-back shutout victories.
"Some of my family haven't seen me play in close to five years and I was looking forward to bringing them to Ogden. So between that and being with the fans after the game, everything was just awesome."
Game Notes:
The Mustangs are 5-1-0-0 and are currently 1st in the Mountain Division and 8th USPHL Premier. Ogden's thirteen power play goals lead the league. The current shutout streak is 5th best all-time in franchise history (132:02).
Schedule Notes:
Friday, October 9th @ Utah Outliers | 6:30 PM
Regular Season Home Opener | The Ice Sheet | Ogden, UT
Tickets are available at utahoutliers.com
Friday, October 15th vs. Pueblo Bulls | 7:15 PM
Breast Cancer Awareness | The Ice Sheet | Ogden, UT
Tickets are available at tickets.ogdenmustangs.com
Saturday, October 16th vs. Pueblo Bulls | 3:00 PM
Utah Hockey Night | The Ice Sheet | Ogden, UT
Tickets are available at tickets.ogdenmustangs.com
Saturday, October 16th | Utah Grizzlies vs. Idaho Steelheads | 7:15 PM
ECHL Preseason | The Ice Sheet | Ogden, UT
Tickets are available at tickets.ogdenmustangs.com
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#OMHockey | @Ogdenmustangs
Go Mustangs!
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