The deep, tangled UCLA-USC rivalry extends across Los Angeles in
many forms. On Thursday, another layer was added when UCLA’s
club ice hockey team beat USC for the first time in the last 17
games.
The Bruins’ 6-4 victory featured a lot of intensity and
bad blood, as hockey seems to be the perfect sport for the mutual
animosity to manifest.
“I don’t like their entire program,”
fourth-year left wing Eric Allen said. “They never have good
rapport with other programs and they never win with
class.”
“Certain teams play with a certain amount of dignity and
respect,” fourth-year right wing and captain Paul Medina
added. “Certain teams don’t understand the etiquette,
and USC is one of them.”
The Trojans have been a consistent hockey power over the past
few years. Because UCLA finished with just three wins two years ago
and seven wins last year, the victory over USC is that much more
significant.
“Two years ago, I didn’t foresee having a great
run,” Allen said.
“But after last season, we saw that this year
wouldn’t be like the year before. We had everyone coming back
this year and more commitment with our practice and
conditioning.”
Thursday’s win appeared to validate all the hard work and
dedication that has been poured into the program the past few
years.
“First and foremost, this win was about validating our
team and beating one of the better teams in the league,”
Medina said.
The USC win was no fluke, either. UCLA outshot USC and
reciprocated the physicality that the bigger Trojans often use to
overwhelm opponents.
But perhaps the biggest contribution came from fourth-year
goalie Matt Miller, one of the few Bruins who have been on the team
for four years. Miller racked up 42 saves, many of which stifled
the Trojans on breakaways.
The USC victory, combined with Friday’s 4-3 road win over
UC San Diego, boosted the Bruins’ record to 8-1 this
year.
They have two important home games this weekend against
Oregon.
Despite the quick turnaround, the Bruins still have some time to
reflect on how important the win over USC is to the UCLA
program.
“The guys I’m happy for more than anything are the
guys who have been around four years,” Medina said.
“They’ve had the long streak of having trouble with
USC, and this one win erases years of bitterness.
“And we still have four more chances against
them.”