UW hockey drops two of three

by UW Media Relations

The University of Wyoming hockey club hasn't found its home-ice advantage at the Taco John's Events Center in Cheyenne.

The Cowboys dropped to 0-3 at their second home, falling 7-1 to the University of Nebraska and 7-3 to Creighton University over the weekend. Sandwiched between the two losses was an 8-2 victory over Iowa State University at the Laramie Community Ice Arena, where UW is 2-0 this season.

After losing Friday night to the Cornhuskers, UW overwhelmed the Cyclones with four power-play goals in the first 40 minutes of Saturday night's contest.

Mitch Nelson (Sheridan) netted his second career hat trick to front the Cowboys' offensive onslaught, and Luke Walker (Jackson) added a goal and two assists. Jake Bates and Cody Leeper (both of Jackson), Seth Farrell (Longmont, Colo.) and Billy Ross (Superior, Colo.) also scored goals for UW.

Lucas Wescoat (Idaho Falls, Idaho) had a pair of assists for the Cowboys. Bates, Erik Blomberg and Taylor Freeman (both of Parker, Colo.) and Willy Miller (Arvada, Colo.) also recorded assists.

In goal, Kenny Ainsworth (Casper) stopped 22 shots to earn the victory.

In its weekend finale, UW wasted the first collegiate hat trick by Dustin Galbreath (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) against the Bluejays, who scored three second-period goals to break open a close game. Michael Leriger (Houston, Texas) and Levi Wood (Cheyenne) had two assists apiece and Tyler Yorke (Calgary, Alberta) had one assist in a losing effort.

In Friday's setback against Nebraska, Bates scored UW's lone goal on an assist from Cody Suder (Laramie).

The Cowboys have now been outscored 18-5 in three games in Cheyenne this season.

UW (6-4) returns to the ice this weekend with 7 p.m. games against Fresno State University (Friday, Cheyenne) and the College of the Canyons (Saturday, Laramie).