After an away victory over Utah, the BYU hockey team (10-7-0) will begin a three-game series this weekend at the Western Classic Tournament. All games will be at the Epic Ice Arena in Fort Collins, Colo.

The Cougars head into the tournament after beating the Skatin’ Utes, 24- 1, last week at the E Center. Brett Fuller scored six goals and Beau Adams and Josh Burkart added a hat trick apiece.

“Our team played very well,” coach Stan Weiss said. “It was a very good tune-up for our tournament this week-end.”

BYU will face off against San Diego State, Colorado State and Metro State on three consecutive nights of hockey, today through Saturday.

“We play the top-ranked team in the west, Colorado State University, and another top-ten team, San Diego state,” Weiss said, alluding to the teams’ Western Division-leading status.

The Cougars open the tournament against San Diego State (14-5-0) tonight at 5:15 p.m. The Aztecs are coming off a win over Arizona State, 10-5, Nov. 22 in Tempe, Ariz.

The Cougars will also face the Rams on Friday at 8:15 p.m and conclude Saturday against Metro State (3-11-1) at 5:15 p.m.

“The competition is keen, “Weiss said. “It will be a good test for our team’s abilities as we approach the halfway point in the season.”

The Cougars will miss some players this tournament for academic reasons, but they still expect to be competi-tive, Weiss said.

“We have a solid group of players who expect to play very well and compete at the highest levels of the tourna-ment,” he said.

The next game after the tournament is Dec. 11, at Weber State. The Wildcats have also been ranked in the top five in the West this season.

The Cougars have won eight of the their last 10 games, and are confident to be one of the top five teams in the West this season, Weiss said.

BYU currently ranks No. 7 in the West.

Copyright Brigham Young University 4 Dec 2008