CSUF maintained a consisten lead against rival Long Beach (Anders Howmann/ Daily Titan)

The Cal State Fullerton ice hockey team maintained a consistent lead against the Long Beach State 49ers, fending off multiple double power plays in the third period and crushing their opponent’s momentum for a 5-3 victory late Saturday at Anaheim Ice.

Led by forward Elan Dunaev, the Titan offense kept the 49ers pinned in their zone for the majority of the first two periods. Goaltender Brandon Heethius anchored the Titan defense as Long Beach attempted to swoop in for the kill midway through the last period. The win boosted Titan morale and put the team in excellent position for the WCHC Tournament in Las Vegas this weekend.

The Titans have swept the 49ers in all four games played against them this season.

Heethuis, 22, a business accounting major, felt as though the quick response to an early 49er goal in the first period set a precedent for the rest of the game.

“We put together a pretty good effort all around,” said Heethius. “We came out and got the first goal and then after that we answered nicely with three goals right away.”

During the first period, both teams tested each others strength with heavy hits, multiple scuffles and fast drives back and forth into each others zone. The 49ers kept Titan defenseman on the edge of their skates as they framed a strong offensive strategy.

But when the Titans answered, the 49ers couldn’t keep up.

Dunaev, 19, a business major, scored two of three goals in the first period. He said that the team’s positive attitude is what kept the Titans driving hard.

“We just kept being positive on the bench and giving positive reinforcement to all of the guys,” said Dunaev. “We kept going and never gave up.”

During the first half of the second period, the two teams were locked in a brutal stalemate. Titan and 49er offense pushed deep into their opponent’s zones and both goaltenders stood planted like brick walls between their goal posts.

The stalemate was broken with five minutes and 57 seconds left in the period with a goal by 49er forward Skyler Hoar. The Titans answered 17 seconds later in a vengeful goal by forward Sean Saligumba, who was assisted by forward Alec Censullo, breaking the tie and putting the Titans up 4-3. The Titans cemented their lead with another goal late in the period by Saligumba.

The Titans third period was defined by an incredible defense and solid goaltending by Heethuis. They remained strong as the 49ers circled in for the kill during two debilitating double power plays. The Titans fielded the 49er offense with seeming ease, holding their two point lead as the clock drained to zero.

Joe Batista, 22, a kinesiology major and EMT for the Titans, was happy with the victory and has enjoyed watching the team grow over the course of the season.

“They started pretty low this year, but just the way all of them have come together and really watching them from the end of the bench every practice, seeing them improve each and every week, it’s been pretty impressive,” said Batista.

Saturday’s victory leaves the Titans with an 11-16 season record (4-8 WCHC record) going into the WCHC tournament in Las Vegas this weekend. Heethuis and Dunaev hope that their team will move onto the ACHA regional tournament in late February.