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Goalie keeps Hornets from being stung twice

Tahoe Daily Tribune Staff Reports

By Steve Yingling

Tribune sports editor

A three-week layoff showed when the Sacramento State Hornets returned to the ice on Friday night at South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena.



Santa Rosa smothered one of the top Pacific Collegiate Hockey Association’s top teams 9-4 but ran into a different swarm of Hornets on Saturday night.

Led by goaltender Chris Obradovich’s 76 saves, the Hornets skated past Santa Rosa 4-2.



“The break was good because half of the team was sick. We were trying to get our feet back underneath us and we were a little slow in that first game,” said Hornets’ forward Jay Simpson.

Mike Sullivan scored two goals and Trevor Hawrys put the Hornets ahead for good by finding the net with 10 minutes remaining.

But it was Obradovich that ultimately decided the outcome, facing 78 shots.

“He basically stood on his head the whole game,” Simpson said. “We left him hanging out to dry a few times, but he pulled through for us.”

Chris Perry’s goal with 5:00 left capped the scoring.

“We showed our weaknesses because we haven’t played in a long time, but once in a while you need your goalie to win a game for you,” Perry said.

The Hornets (11-3) won’t be resting much in the coming weeks. Sacramento State welcomes Texas A&M for a two games, starting Thursday. Thursday’s game is at 7 p.m. and Friday’s at 8:45 p.m.

“We don’t know what to expect,” Simpson said. “It’s big school, but it’s Texas … they’re not too known for their hockey, but like California (schools) it’s getting a lot bigger.”

The Hornets will also entertain College of the Canyons, fifth at nationals a year ago, at 5:15 p.m. Saturday.

Texas A&M will also play College of the Canyons on Sunday and Monday.

Admission is $5 for Sacramento State games. Spectators will be admitted free for the College of the Canyons-Texas A&M series on Sunday and Monday.


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