This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
While other Utah programs are struggling to match the talent in the Pac-12, the Utes' hockey team is having little problem fitting into the league.
The Utes, who compete as a member of the Pac-8 league, are favored to defend their league title when the championships start Thursday.
The top-seeded Utes open play at 7 p.m. against the University of Washington at the Salt Lake City Sports Complex.
The tournament runs through Sunday and features two pools of three teams each. The winners advance to the championship game, which starts at noon on Sunday.
Utah finished the season 26-8 overall and went undefeated in league play, sporting a 14-0 record.
Tickets are $7.50 per game and $10 for the championship game while tournament passes are available for $26.
The first game pits ASU against UCLA on Thursday at 4 p.m.
Oregon takes on UCLA at 4 p.m. on Friday followed by a 7 p.m. contest between Washington and USC.
The Utes play USC on Saturday at 1 p.m. followed by the ASU-Oregon game at 4 p.m.
A college hockey fair is being held in conjunction with the event, in which coaches and players from all the teams and Utah representatives will be on hand to discuss collegiate issues with interested parties.
Lya Wodraska