Hockey fans were treated to two nail-biters this weekend at the Tucson Convention Center, where the Arizona Icecats split a pair of games decided by one goal each with Texas Tech.
Texas Tech avenged a 6-5 overtime loss Friday by beating Arizona 2-1 Saturday night.
Tech took an early advantage in the defensive battle, scoring goals in the first and second periods to lead 2-0 going into the final frame.
Junior forward Cole Dunlop was unassisted on UA's lone goal in the third period.
Arizona (4-5-1) overcame an early 3-1 deficit Friday to hand the Red Raiders (15-4) their fourth loss of the season in overtime.
"This was huge for us," said Icecats head coach Leo Golembiewski. "Texas Tech is a hell of a team, as good as anyone we have scheduled."
Tech showed early that, despite being in just its second season in the American Collegiate Hockey Association, its program is a force, taking the lead less than three minutes into the first period on a goal by leading scorer Kevin Mayoux.
Four minutes later, the Red Raiders scored on a 3-on-1 breakaway to give the Raiders a 2-0 lead.
The Wildcats answered less than a minute later on a one-timer in front of the Texas Tech net by freshman forward Craig Irwin.
Nearly 10 minutes passed before the next goal, another breakaway score for the Red Raiders, who closed out the first with a 3-1 lead.
In the second period, the Icecats capitalized on their first power play of the night seven minutes in. Irwin scored on a one-timer assist from Dunlop and senior forward Mickey Meehan.
"We started out slow and sloppy, but as the game went on, we started putting it together," Irwin said. "Once we got it going, we just relaxed."
Midway through the second period, Tech again went up by two on a controversial play that sent junior defenseman Mike Pelletier to the penalty box.
UA soon answered when senior left wing Shaun Brooks scored on a breakaway with about a minute remaining.
The two teams were locked in a stalemate for most of the third period, until leading Meehan, the Icecats' leader in both goals and points, scored on a wraparound from an Irwin and Don Holtz assist with 10 minutes left.
"We showed a lot of character in the second and third (periods)," Golembiewski said.
Neither team could grab an advantage the remainder of the period, forcing overtime.
With less than a minute separating a win from a tie, Meehan scored his second goal and fourth point of the night on an assist from freshman defenseman Doug Wilson.
"In the third period, we stepped it up," Meehan said. "Our second two lines stepped it up. After the first period, it was a full-team effort."
Despite the split, Golembiewski was happy with Arizona's performance this weekend, and he said the Icecats are looking their best heading into a rematch with rival Arizona State Dec. 3 and 4.
The No. 8 Sun Devils swept the Icecats in the season opener last month.
Golembiewski added that while winning games is a goal, playing for the Icecats is most important in developing the players throughout college.
"Hockey is the vehicle. We're just using this unreal world to build the character, to be the men they need to be in this tough world," he said. "I'm proud of these guys.
"This team is worth watching," he said. "Our fans are the best."