The Skatin’ Rebels returned to City National Arena for a weekend series against the Arizona Wildcats, where they split the series 1-1 to break their three-game losing streak.
Game One, Oct. 22
After being down 4-1 at the beginning of the third period UNLV fell short on their comeback (3-4) vs the Arizona Wildcats for the Rebels third loss of the season.
A slow first period resulted in the Rebels outshooting the Wildcats 14-6. Arizona capitalized with a power-play goal by Anthony Cusanelli, assisted by Jesse Lowell and Cameron Teamor to take a one point lead. This was Cusanelli’s first goal of the season.
The Rebels answered back in the second period within the first minute off of a power-play of their own, scored by Max Johnson assisted by Cole Wyatt and Alec Johnson.
Only to get backed into a 4-1 deficit allowing another power play goal from the Wildcats.
Arizona came off of three unanswered goals to get to 4-1 by Matthew Hal on a power-play assisted by Greg Malafronte and Anthony Cusanelli. Then two full strength goals by Max Meyer, assisted by Cameron Teamor, and solo goal by Matthew Marquis.
The Skatin’ Rebels did not give up. In the third period, defenseman Hunter Muzzillo scored a goal, his first of the season (5:12) assisted by Paxton Malone and Jayson Dimizio, and grabbed an assist off of Luke Burke’s first goal of the season (8:47) with Cole Wyatt helping with the assist, to put UNLV back into the game.
“When you're down in a game like that, four to one, you gotta play aggressive,” says Muzzilo. “So we asked our [defense] to get more active in the offense, making plays at the blue line.”
UNLV did end up outshooting the Wildcats in two of the three periods, 14-6 in the first period, 12-13 in the second, and 7-5 in the third.
This game thrived off of special teams, with 4 power-play goals total evenly split between the two teams.
The Rebels also gave the Wildcats eight power-plays while Arizona gave UNLV only five power plays.
Despite the fight, UNLV couldn't quite will the game in their favor after going empty net in the last couple of minutes of the outing giving the team their first loss at home this season.
Game Two, Oct. 23
UNLV hockey returned to the ice to avenge the loss they received, beating Arizona 3-2 after a spectacular performance from goalie Vince Benedetto who got his first win of the season.
The Rebels showed up to play by averaging 11.67 shots per period and scoring a goal in all three periods.
A major part of this win can be attributed to Alec Johnson’s performance as he contributed to every goal scored.
First with an assist off of Brendan Manning’s goal in the first period (18:49), then with a powerplay goal in the second period (12:28). Alec Johnson then capped off the night with a second assist off of Sean Plonski’s goal in the third period (1:29).
Yet the biggest reason for the win had to have come from Benedetto, who had 26 saves on 28 shots. None bigger than the penalty shot he saved in the third quarter.
“I came out and challenged the guy, I knew he was gonna deke so I just waited for him to make the first move and that was it,” says Benedetto. “ I knew I needed to make the save if we wanted to get the win and that was the most important thing, so it was an awesome feeling.”
The night was also filled with a lot of firsts for the Rebels. Benedetto got his first win of the season, David Lenzin got his first assist of the season from Alec Johnson’s goal, and Forward Brenden Fehlig played in his first game as a Rebel.
“I waited two years for that moment,” says Fehlig. “It felt so great to battle with the boys again, it’s just, you can’t really put it into words it’s such a great feeling”
UNLV seemed to just want it more this game, outshooting the Wildcats 33-27.
Special teams were a point for the Rebels as well this game. While committing nine penalties in total UNLV only allowed one power-play goal and scored one power-play goal on Arizona’s six total penalties.
Arizona’s Matthew Hohl scored the power-play goal and was assisted by Anthony Cusanelli, and Cameron Teamor (8:15). While Alec Johnson answered right back with help from Ezekiel Estrada, who assisted on every one of the Rebels goals, and David Lenzin (12:28).
Alec Johnson takes the top scorer title for the Rebels but he does so from his brother Max Johnson. The brothers are the two top scorers for UNLV with 21 points combined, 10 goals, and 11 assists. Alec Johnson has five goals six assists and Max Johnson has five goals and five assists.
Catch the Skatin’ Rebels on Oct. 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m. at City national arena, when they face Missouri State. UNLV students get free entry with their RebelCard with all tickets available for purchase at the door.
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