This weekend the 49ers head to San Jose State Univ., where they’ll compete in the Best of West Showcase. Thursday may be the toughest game of the season for the Beach as they face perennial contenders in the Univ. of Denver. On Friday the 49ers play tourney hosts San Jose State then finish on Saturday against the Univ. of Idaho. None of the games will be broadcast on www.lbsuicehockey.com, but you may be able to catch the 49ers vs. SJSU game via the San Jose broadcast on www.sjsuhockey.net.

Last Saturday, the 49ers fell 8-5 to a fast San Diego State Aztec team. Long Beach jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period, but gave up three power play goals in the second period and were down 5-3 going into the second intermission. The 49ers came out with guns blazing in the third period and cut the lead in half seven minutes in and looked like they were about to continue momentum with a power play right after their 4th goal. But the Aztec special teams were too much for the 49ers, scoring two shorthanded goals and a power play goal on a two-man advantage. Despite the loss, Head Coach Joe Sheehy was optimistic about this season’s 49er squad, now 1-2 through three games.

“I saw something in our team in that third period,” said Sheehy. “This team is starting to find its character.”

In two weeks, the 49ers return home for a three-game series:

Thursday 10/22 9:10pm vs. San Jose State

Friday 10/23 9pm vs. Northern Arizona Univ.

Saturday 10/24 7:30pm vs. Northern Arizona Univ.