COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Texas A&M men’s hockey defeated the University of Texas in a shootout Friday night, moving the Aggies into first place in the Texas Collegiate Hockey Conference.
“This team’s resilient, and we found a way to get it done past 60 minutes, past 65 minutes, then in the shootout,” Texas A&M hockey coach, Gary Russell said.
The win marks the second meeting between the two in-state rivals this season after Texas and A&M split their November series. With the victory, the Aggies improved to 21-7 heading into the conference tournament.
Forward Cade Willis attributed the team’s success to the strong bonds between players.
“This is the tightest team I’ve ever been on, the closest I’ve ever been with any of my teammates,” Willis said. “I think that speaks volumes as to why we’re doing so well this season.”
Fellow forward Nikita Ilichev emphasized the momentum heading into postseason play.
“I think just knowing that we can do this—like we beat them before, beat them today—we can beat other better teams,” Ilichev said. “Having the momentum rolling towards playoffs is big for us.”
Ilichev also highlighted the commitment and sacrifice displayed by the roster, both veterans and newcomers.
“In a hockey locker room like ours, we battle every day for each other,” he said. “We block shots, and it just means extra on a night like this. There’s guys who were here all four years. These guys have only been here for a year, and every single one of them has a big role to play.”
The Aggies currently rank 11th in the West Region heading into the TCHC tournament. Only the top 16 teams advance to the NCAA regionals.
Russell praised his team’s composure and leadership throughout the season.
“These guys held it together probably more than I did,” Russell said. “I had to hold back some tears because these guys have meant so much to myself and the coaching staff and to this team in general. They’ve been leaders, tremendous human beings, tremendous hockey players.”
Russell noted that while Friday’s game marks the end of the regular season, more hockey remains for the Aggies’ upper classmen.
“It’s sad that this is their last game at Spirit Ice Arena,” Russell said. “But like we said, we got a lot more hockey left to play for those guys.”
The TCHC Tournament begins on February 6th.
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