As the “Star-Spangled Banner” drew to a close, the crowd surrounding the ice at the Bellingham Sportsplex erupted. Over the deafening roar of raucous cheers, stomping feet and hands banging on Plexiglas, the starting lines of Western’s and the University of Washington’s ice hockey teams took their positions in and around the faceoff circle.  

It was just after 10:45 p.m. Friday when the puck dropped for the first of a two-game series that would establish bragging rights for either Western or UW. Western would proceed to skate circles around UW's defense, fully earning those rights.

Following a hard-fought but scoreless first period, Western went on a streak in the second, tacking four unanswered points on the board. UW managed to score in the third period on a four-on-three power play, resulting in a 4-1 victory for Western.

The Vikings' puck movement was superb, allowing them to break out of the defensive zone and quickly move to an offensive position, outshooting UW 67-32.

The last time these teams clashed, wins were split one and one, with Western winning at home and losing as visitors in Seattle. This season the Vikings also beat UW on their home ice on Saturday night 8-1, giving the team an 11-1-1 record for the season.

Western coach John Dougan said he was impressed with his team’s performance over the weekend.

“I think everything worked,” he said after Saturday’s game. “The guys who score, scored. The guys who check, checked. I think it was one of the best team efforts I’ve seen so far.”

The rivalry these teams share may have as much to do with player histories as it does with close geographical location. UW’s starting goalie, Danny Dougan, is John Dougan’s son.

Before the game, Danny Dougan said he was excited to meet his dad’s team on the ice.

“I love doing it,” Danny Dougan said. “[My dad] taught me everything I know in goal so it’s kind of interesting to play him when he’s coaching, because I love him when he’s a coach.”

Apart from his son, Dougan said freshmen Phil Harezlak and Dan Herda, both starting forwards for UW, were once on his team playing in Bellingham before they went to college.

Western sophomore Dan Pershe said he encouraged more than 20 of his friends to attend the game with him Friday.

After the second period, Pershe said he was ready to revel in UW’s defeat.

“We can beat ’em at this sport,” he said. “We can’t prove it in football anymore.”

John Dougan also said the team’s next four games, against Walla Walla University in Tri-Cities and against University of Puget Sound in Bellingham, have been cancelled. The other schools called off the games due to players going home for Thanksgiving break and students’ final exams, respectively.

“It’s frustrating,” John Dougan said. “We’re working on more [games] so hopefully we’ll find something else.”

Current updates on the schedule are available at wwuicehockey.com.

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