Tag Archives: utep hockey

With conference play wrapped up, the UTEP Miner Hockey club turn their attention to the Texas Collegiate Hockey Conference (TCHC) playoffs in February.

Last weekend the Ice Miners wrapped up conference play on the road, going 1-2 in three games against East Texas Baptist and Texas State.

With the road swing, UTEP finished conference play 17-3, claimed first place in the south division of TCHC and earned the Miners a first round bye at the TCHC Playoffs next month, February 6-8th.

As the Miners prepare for playoffs, they are asking the local community for help raising funds for a post season run.

“As a self-funded student organization the Miners are raising money to offset costs for the playoffs that would come out of their pocket…” club officials shared.

Fans can visit their website, minershockey.com, and donate to their Go Fund Me page. Additionally,  fans can attend one of their upcoming fundraisers:

·         Join the Miners for dinner January 22, 2020 at Boss Chicken (6140 Mesa) from 4pm to 9pm. Mention UTEP Hockey when ordering and 15% of you order will go towards the club.

·         Stop in for a bite at Panda Express (near UTEP) on February 5, 2020 from 10am-10pm. Mention UTEP Hockey when ordering an a portion of the profits made goes to the club.

For more information on how you can donate to UTEP Hockey, please contact the club at info@minershockey.com.

The American Colligate Hockey Association (ACHA)recently released the new national rankings for Division II club hockey.

The UTEP Hockey Club is now ranked 8^th in the West Region, one spot higher than the previous week.  Miners enter the winter break 15-1 overall and lead TCHC 10-0 so far this season.

Along with the Miners, University of Mary, U of Providence, Weber State, Montana State, Northern Arizona, University of Oregon, Utah State, Boise State and East Texas Baptist all rank within the Top 10.

Austin Simpson leads the Miners with 53 points (25 G, 28 A) – which is six points shy of last season at the winter break. Two weeks ago against Arizona State, Simpson scored five goals – his seventh multi-goal game of the season.

Freshman Scott Kasaboski has logged 540 minutes in net for the Miners. With a 8-1 record, Kasaboski has a .921 save percentage and has recorded 280 saves.

UTEP will drop the puck on the second half of the season against Texas A&M January 6 and 7 at home.

For ticket information and more, visit the team’s website.

ALLEN, TX – The Miners wasted no time on the road in Dallas, as they swept the Dallas Baptist University Patriots this weekend. With Saturday’s win, the Miners have now won 10 games in a row.

Going back to game one on Friday night, the Miners got on the board quickly with an early first period goal.

Matt Sanca opened the scoring for UTEP with a goal assisted by Austin Simpson and Donald Alchin. Jake Kopinski fed Donald Alchin in front of the net, extending the Miner lead to two goals.

Back for the second period, DBU gets one past UTEP goalie Scott Kasaboski to come within one goal. Right back on the attack, UTEP’s Simpson – on a pass from Alchin – scores 15:03 into the second period and the Miners increase their lead to two goals at the end of the second period.

Right after the puck drops for the final frame, Simpson scores unassisted at 6:25 in the third period, his second goal of the night. Adding to the Miners tally, Dominik Taras on the power play scores making it a 5-1 Miners lead with 5:06 left to play.

Patriots fail to answer and the Miners hold on for their ninth straight win of the season.

Back for game two on Saturday night the Patriots strike first, but the Miners don’t let that lead last long as Dominik Taras assisted by Carlo Wittor evens the score.

Both sides head to the locker room tied at one after 20 minutes of play.

Following a couple penalties, Alchin finds the back of the net and the Miners take their first lead of the game. Shortly after that, Taras  -assisted by Wittor – gives the Miners some extra cushion with a two goal lead.

With a late penalty by Fabian Perez at the end of the second, the Miners started the third period on the penalty kill. Shortly after the puck droped, Alchin – off a feed from Simpson – buries one in the net for his second goal of the game.

Before the sting of that goal can wear off, Simpson gets his name on the board for the sixth Miner goal of the game and second shorthanded goal of the game. And in true dramatic fashion, Dominik Taras assisted by Carlo Wittor scores making it three Miner goals in under five minutes and completes the hat trick.

The third period chaos continues as the Patriots score a couple more. Then the Miners do it again, another pair of back-to-back goals by Simpson and Alchin — his third of the game — about 20 seconds apart. The score is now 9-2 with a little more than 10 minutes to go in the final frame. But the Miners are not done yet, as Jon Sanca scores his first of the season to bring the Miners tally to 10 goals to the Patriots two.

The Patriots would go on to score two goals late in third, but the Miners would hold on to complete the sweep with a 10-4 win.

Following another dominating sweep at home against the TCU Horned Frogs the Miners will pack their bags for an east Texas showdown against the Dallas Baptist Patriots.

The puck drops on the two-game series Friday at 8:30 p.m. CT, with game two Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT.

This will be the first meeting between the Miners and Patriots this season. Last season, the Miners swept the Patriots at home with a 12-3 win in game one and a 8-2 win in game two.

UTEP and DBU are 7-0 overall having played against each other since 2015. During that time, UTEP has scored 44 goals against DBU.

The Patriots are currently 6-7 overall, 6-2 in conference play this season. Sitting in second place in the north division of TCHC. Last weekend, DBU swept Texas State with a 10-1 win in game one and a 7-6 win in game two.

Randall Miller returns between the pipes for the Patriots and has logged 162 minutes for the Patriots in eight games. Miller has allowed 27 goals this season, 10 per game and has a save percentage of .847.

Trenton Lee and Spence Cowand return for DBU and lead the Patriots with 17 and 15 points, respectfully. Lee has scored 10 goals with seven assists, while Cowand has nine goals and six assists.

Quick Miner Facts

• UTEP is currently 8-0 this season.
• Sophomore Austin Simpson leads the team with 21 points (12 G, 9A).

Saturday’s matchup will be played at the Allen Events Center prior to the Allen Americans (ECHL) game against the Idaho Steelheads.

Thursday morning, the UTEP Hockey Club announced their 2019-20 season schedule, with 14 home games and 14 away games with eight non-conference opponents and 20 conference games.

New this season in hopes of starting a new tradition, the Miners have added 10:30 p.m. Friday night games.

The Miners open the season at home Saturday, Sept. 21 at 3:30 p.m. MT, against TCHC opponent Texas State with game two slated for Sunday, Sept. 22 at 10:00 a.m. MT.

The Miners will then hit the road for their first road trip of the season at the University of Texas. The Miners and Longhorns will face off Friday, Sept. 27 at 7:50 p.m. MT and Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m. MT.

UTEP will then continue on the road the following weekend against Texas A&M, Friday, Oct. 4 at 6:00 p.m. MT and Saturday, Oct. 5 at 6:00 p.m. MT. After a week off, the Miners will return home to host Texas Christian University, Friday, Oct. 18 at 10:30 p.m. MT and Saturday, Oct. 19 at 3:30 p.m. MT.

UTEP will close out October on the road at Dallas Baptist, Friday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. MT and game two will be played Saturday, Oct. 26 at 1:00 p.m. The Miners will host Grand Canyon University Friday, Nov. 1 at 10:30 p.m. MT and Saturday, Nov. 2 at 3:30 p.m. MT, their first non-conference opponent of the season.

The Miners will next head west to Arizona for their first of two four-game road trips starting Thursday, Nov. 14 against Arizona State at 7:30 p.m. MT. The Arizona road trip will also include one game against Northern Arizona Friday, Nov. 15 at 8:30 p.m. MT and two games against Grand Canyon Saturday, Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. MT and Sunday, Nov. 17 at 11:30 a.m. MT.

Closing out the first semester, UTEP will host North Texas thanksgiving weekend Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30. Both games will be played at 10:30 p.m. MT.

Following the holiday break, the Miners will begin a four-game homestand the longest homestand of the season) Monday, Jan. 6 vs. Texas A&M at 10:30 p.m. MT with game two scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 7 vs. Texas A&M at 3:30 p.m. MT. UTEP concludes the homestand Thursday, Jan. 9 and Friday, Jan. 10 vs the University of Texas. 11:00 a.m. MT.

Both games will be played at 11:00 a.m. MT.

UTEP will next travel to Shreveport, LA for the first time in club history to visit the East Texas Baptist Tigers Wednesday, Jan. 15 and Thursday, Jan. 16. Both games will be played at 6:00 p.m. MT.

Before heading back to El Paso, the Miners will complete the road trip with two games against Texas State, Friday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. MT and Saturday, Jan. 18 at 6:45 p.m. MT.

The Miners will host the Texas Tech Red Raiders for their final homestand of the 2019-20 season Friday, Jan. 31 at 11:00 a.m. MT and Saturday, Feb. 1 at 3:30 p.m. MT.

Science on Ice returns for a third season, all dates scheduled for the second semester. Game dates currently scheduled as  Jan. 9, Jan. 10 and Jan. 31.

The Texas Collegiate Hockey Conference playoffs will take place February 6-8 in Dallas, Texas at the Children’s Health Center StarCenter in Mansfield, TX.

The on-sale date and pricing for UTEP Hockey regular season tickets will be announced in the near future.

The UTEP Hockey Club announced today (August 1) the Miners will open the 2019-20 season at home September 21, 2019, at 3:30 pm.

The Miners will host the Texas State Bobcats in a two-game home series that will conclude Sunday, September 22, 2019.

In honor of five years in the Sun City, UTEP Hockey has unveiled a commemorative fifth-anniversary logo to be used throughout the 2019-2020 season.

The Miners will celebrate the milestone all year long on minershockey.com and through the club’s social media. Throughout the season the club will look back on the last five years through written content, videos and more highlighting memorable moments in club history.

The Miners invite fans to take part in sharing their own moments using #Miners5 on social media.

Complete game schedule and times to be announced at a later time.

The conference champion UTEP Miners Hockey team added to their ice rink resume’ on Tuesday, as four team members were named to the TCHC All Conference-Team.

As a team, the Miners led TCHC in numerous categories: goals per game, power plays, and penalty kill percentage, among others.

“It’s no secret that among the current Miner roster sits some of the strongest players in TCHC and UTEP Hockey club history,”  Miner Hockey officials shared, “It is because of these individuals’ valiant efforts combined with a hard-working team, made UTEP a force to be reckoned with this season. ”

In his first year with the Miners, former WSHL EL Paso Rhino forward Austin Simpson has made a name for himself in TCHC. As the leading scorer for the Miners, TCHC and ACHA, Simpson has tallied 131 points with 46 goals and 85 assists. Overall during the playoffs, the left-winger had four points, one goal and three assists, in two games.

Simpson is only one of two Miners to reach 100 points in a single season, and the only player in ACHA to reach 100 points this season. Simpson’s 46 goals move him into second place on the all-time leading scorers’ list in club history. He has seven career hat tricks which ties him for most in club history with Lukas Znosko and Carlo Wittor.

Simpson was named to the TCHC 1st All-Conference Team and was TCHC MVP.

Another new addition to the roster this season, center Carlo Wittor, was dominant for the Miners on the scoresheet. Wittor tallied 109 points with 51 goals and 58 assists in 27 games. Wittor finishes the regular season ranked second in the ACHA, behind teammate Austin Simpson.

During the playoffs, Wittor posted four points with two goals apiece in each game. Wittor’s 51 goals makes him the all-time leading scorer in club history. Wittor is in a three-way tie for most career hat tricks with Austin Simpson and Lukas Znosko. In one game this season Wittor scored seven goals against the University of New Mexico making him the only Miner to score seven goals in one game.

With his list of accolades, Wittor was named to the TCHC 1st All-Conference Team.

Returning for his third season in orange and blue, Kevin Duncan was named to the TCHC 1st Team All-Conference for a second season. This season, the junior blueliner tallied 35 points with 12 goals and 23 points. The D-man is a dominant force for the Miners who makes it difficult for any opponent when he is on the ice patrolling the blueline.

Duncan has dressed in 84 games for the Miners scoring 30 goals with 61 helpers making him the all-time leading defenseman in games played, points, goals and assists in club history.

Freshman newcomer, Angus Campbell, has started in 20 games in net for the Miners. Campbell has made 429 saves, has a 1.95 goals against average and a .931 save percentage. The Canadian netminder previously played for the WSHL Seattle Totems and WSHL El Paso Rhinos before taking his place as the starting goalie for the Miners this season.

Campbell finished the regular season ranked 13th in ACHA.

During the playoffs, Campbell faced 62 shots making 60 saves for a .968 save percentage in two games. The stats sheet itself does not showcase the phenomenal goaltending that took place at the TCHC playoffs. His strong performance throughout this season earned him a spot on the TCHC 1st All-Conference Team.

With an impressive run in TCHC in the books; the Miners led by Simpson, Wittor, Duncan and Campbell will switch gears and focus on the ACHA Western Regional Tournament in Tempe, Arizona later this month.

Following a 23-0 win Sunday afternoon against TCHC opponent North Texas, the UTEP Miner hockey squad clinched the TCHC regular season title.

In first place, with 48 points, UTEP earns an automatic bid to the semi-finals of the TCHC playoffs next month, February 7-9, in Dallas, Texas.

As a student run organization funded 100% by the players, the Miners have started a Go Fund Me in hopes of raising money to help offset costs for postseason play.

This season the Miners have complied a 21-1-1-1 record so far with only two regular season games remaining. With only two losses, only one loss in regulation, and a undefeated record at home.

This season alone, the Miners average 9.29 goals per game and have tallied 223 goals. In comparison to other TCHC opponents the Miners rank 1st in goals per game, power play percentage and penalty kill percentage. The Miners have outscored their opponents by three or more goals in 19 out of 24 games this season.

Winning the conference tournament, will give the Miners an automatic bid to the ACHA Western Regional Tournament in Tempe, Arizona next month, February 28- March 2.

To donate to Miners, go to minershockey.com for more information or visit their Go Fund Me page.

Last season, the UTEP Miner hockey squad was dealt a card they didn’t expect: a change of game times. With only one sheet of ice in El Paso and an increasing demand for hockey, things needed to be shuffled.

While the Ice Miners were used to playing on Friday and Saturday evening at 7:00pm, the Miners would now be playing at 11:00 a.m. and sometimes on days other than Friday and Saturday.

It was at this moment UTEP took the opportunity to make an odd start time and turn it into a way to connect with the community in a different way, through learning.

Take any sport and you can see how much science is put to use during a single game, hockey requires a lot of science. From the creation of the ice players skate on to the curve of a hockey stick, the idea to mix hockey with a science lesson became a no-brainer, thus the Science on Ice game series was created.

Based on program previously used at the rink during field trips, the Miners took the idea and built it into the program now shown during games.

“In efforts to promote hockey to the El Paso community, we chose an approach that by inviting students to a game introduces them to the science behind the sport of hockey and preparation for the sport as well as the ice rink,” UTEP Hockey head coach Tom Herman shared.

Throughout the game, students are taken on a journey through different aspects of science and how it is applied to hockey and then it’s seen in action during the game.

As student themselves, the Miners understand the importance of school, as it is required for each hockey player to maintain a 2.5 GPA while playing for the club.

Aside from hockey, the club spends time off the ice in classrooms talking to students about the opportunities education has provided them. In effort to continue building on those relationships, UTEP invited schools into their classroom, the ice rink.

“The goal is simple, make it enjoyable for everyone. Introduce them to hockey, but at the same time teach them so many different things about science,” Coach Herman added.  “Education and especially science isn’t always in the classroom. It’s everywhere. And for the students to be able to enjoy a hockey game, cheer on their UTEP Miners and also learn at the same time, it just makes sense.”

Last season over 1000 students joined the Miners for Science on Ice, this season they are hoping to continue to grow that number.

Anyone on the Miner bench will say, the atmosphere of a Science on Ice game is different. Students yell for the Miners from puck drop to the final buzzer and are quick to let the opposing team know who’s house they’re in.

“They are full of energy and excitement,” said Herman. “They make it an unique experience.”

For $7, students are provided a healthy meal, admission and the opportunity to meet the players after the game. There is only one Science on Ice game left this season and the Miners hope to pack the stands once more to enjoy one last game as they begin to wrap up the season.

The final Science on Ice game is February 2nd against the Texas State Bobcats at 11:00am. For more information on attending our Science on Ice game please visit the UTEP Hockey website.

After a month away from the ice, the UTEP Miner hockey team is ready to pick up where they left off, vying for the top spot in Texas Collegiate Hockey Conference (TCHC.)

“Looking forward to getting back and playing games. It’s been a long break, but the club is ready to go and enthusiastic to start back up,” Coach Herman said. “We are expecting a very physical style series. Should be lots of fun.”

• UTEP is currently 12-1-1-1 this season.
• Freshman Austin Simpson leads the team with 59 points (21 G, 38A).
• Miners wrap up 2018 on a winning note

Miner Hockey Social Media –  Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

The UTEP Miners may have played host to the Patriots of Dallas Baptist Friday morning, but they were anything but cordial, dominating them 12-3.

The Ice Miners got off to a quick start, as Fabian Calderon, Carlo Wittor and Austin Simpson tallied three goals for the Miners within the first 10 minutes of the opening period.

Matt Sanca added a shorthanded goal to cushion the lead to 4-0 with five minutes to go in the first. The Patriots answered with a score of their own, with just over a minute to go in the period.

The second period started much like the first for the Miners, as Fabian Perez scored his first goal of the afternoon and opening the ‘goal floodgates for the Miners; with Wittor and Sanca each notching their second goals of the game.

Patriots answered on a subsequent power play and cut the Miner lead to five. But the red-hot Miners came back  as Simpson set up Wittor for a score and completing the hat trick, putting the Miners up by six goals at the end of the second period.

With only 20 minutes left to play, Wittor – once again assisted by Simpson – tallies his fourth goal of the game making the score, 9-2.

Thirty seconds later the duo of Simpson and Wittor would find the net again, this time Simpson scoring the goal. While Patriots countered to get one past Angus Campbell, Wittor dished out two more goals, bringing his total to six goals, leading the Miners to win game one, 12-3.

Carlo Wittor had eight points in Friday’s game, scoring six goals and two assists. Wittor is now tied for 2nd with Austin Simpson in goals scored (20). He now has two hat tricks on the season and has a total of 43 points.

Wittor now holds the club record for most goals scored in a game (6) which was previously held by Jeramy Rezaeepour and Lukas Znosko (4).

Austin Simpson had seven points in Friday’s contest, scoring two goals and had five assists. Simpson now leads the team with 54 points. (20-34=54) He is T-2nd with Carlo Wittor in goals scored (20). Simpson was credited an assist on four of Wittor’s goal.

Angus Campbell made 48 saves against the Patriots and now has a .922 save percentage overall. Campbell is now 9-2 on the season.

Game two is set for 3:30 p.m., Saturday afternoon.  Tickets are only $7 for any seat in the rink and are available at the Coliseum Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, online and at the Coliseum Events Center Ticket Booth, which opens an hour and a half before game time.

The UTEP hockey team is hoping to extend its winning streak this weekend on home ice against one of the best teams in the Texas Collegiate Hockey Conference.

UTEP, with an impressive 11-2-1 record so far this season, has won six of the last seven games.

The Miners are coming off an impressive two-game sweep of East Texas Baptist, winning 5-3 and 10-0, while Dallas Baptist is 17-4 after crushing North Texas 22-0 and 24-0.

The Miners hope to add two more victories as they face off with the Dallas Baptist Patriots at the El Paso County Coliseum Events Center, 4100 East Paisano.

The games are set for 11 a.m. Friday, November 30, and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, December 1.

Tickets are only $7 for any seat in the rink and are available at the Coliseum Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, online and at the Coliseum Events Center Ticket Booth, which opens an hour and a half before game time.

The UTEP hockey team is set to open conference play this weekend on home ice.

The Miners will take on the East Texas Baptist Tigers in a two-game Texas Collegiate Hockey Conference series at the El Paso County Coliseum Events Center located at 4100 East Paisano.

The games are set for 11 a.m. Friday, November 16, and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, November 17.

UTEP, 9-2-1, is coming off a strong showing against the New Mexico Lobos, earning a tie and a victory in the two-game series.

East Texas Baptist, meanwhile, is 7-7 after sweeping a weekend series against TCU.

Tickets are only $7 for any seat in the rink and are available at the Coliseum Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000, online and at the Coliseum Events Center Ticket Booth, which opens an hour and a half before game time.

The UTEP Miners hit the rink Sunday afternoon, trying to complete the sweep against their rivals to the north, the University of New Mexico Lobos.

After a close game one on Saturday, that saw the Ice Miners top the Lobos 7-5, they hit the ice Sunday looking to repeat the deed.  On ‘Stick it to Cancer’ Sunday, the Miners blew out the Lobos 11-3, securing the sweep.

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