Rust?  Not for us.

The Grand Canyon University D1 Men's Hockey team found the perfect way to end three weeks of inactivity and extend their current winning streak, dominating in a pair of 8-2 victories over San Diego State University this weekend in San Diego, California. The wins built the Lopes' winning streak to four games and brought them closer to the .500 mark with a 9-10-1 overall record.

Friday: GCU 8, SDSU 2

The Lopes wasted little time draining the suspense about the game's outcome from the home crowd at the Kroc Center. Five different Lopes found the back of the net during the first 20 minutes, staking GCU to a 5-1 lead that they would only extend. By the final horn, Ryan Nolan, Hunter Schmitz and Luke Busher had each cashed in two goals, Mason Kruse had a pair of assists, and the Lopes' defense had stymied the Aztecs' attack, limiting them to just 13 shots on goal. GCU also cashed in two of their five power-play opportunities, and Schmitz's second goal late in the second period was even a shorthanded one.

Saturday: GCU 8, SDSU 2

Power-play goals were the norm for GCU Saturday, since four of their first five goals came on (at least) a man advantage. By the time Schmitz cashed in his first PP goal of the night four minutes into the 2^nd period, GCU owned a 5-0 lead, and the rout was on. The Lopes extended their lead to seven before SDSU (0-13-1 overall) finally lit the lamp midway through the 3^rd frame. Schmitz finished off a banner weekend for both he and his team with his first 'hat trick' of the season, scoring the final goal of the game with three minutes left. Schmitz finished what Jacob Cummings began as the Lopes' leader in assists and points set the tone for the night with two goals in the game's first 13 minutes (his 9^th and 10^th of the season), then his 18^th assist of the year three minutes later to set up Cole Golden.

Setting up teammates was also what Busher was all about, recording three assists Saturday (and four for the weekend), while Anthony Petrotto, Preston Larson and Trey Ponto had two assists apiece. Lopes' goalie Chase Golden saw a little more action come his way than what Friday goalkeeper Jacob DeMoranville faced, but still stopped 19 of the 21 Aztecs' shots.

The Lopes now have two weeks off before returning to the heart of conference play when archrival Arizona State University heads to GCU's home ice of AZ Ice Arcadia for a two-day series January 20 and 21. Puck drop is scheduled for 7PM both nights.