The Miners Red hockey team has gotten accustomed to dominating play in Utah over the past three seasons. Park City clinched their third-straight state championship in January.  The Miners Red picked back up where they left off last season in Wednesday’s season opener, cruising past Sky Canyon 7-2 at the Park City Ice Arena.  Park City was fueled by a barrage on offense, outshooting Sky Canyon 35-14. Pierce Adams and Wyatt Nellis each found the back of the net twice, leading the Miners.  New Miners Red Head Coach Tom Gatta, called for four penalties to Sky Canyon’s two, believes there are some things to clean up moving forward. Gatta was an assistant for two years under Mike Adamek, who’s now the assistant coach. Gatta has coached hockey for 18 years in Park City, moving to town following a Division III hockey career with Castleton University, now the Vermont State University Castleton Campus. “Little stagnant in the beginning,” Gatta said. “Some of us were holding a stick a little too tight, and we were tripping over ourselves, and then all of a sudden we started to click, and goals started to fall.” Gatta said half of the team is new this year, so they’ll be relying heavily on their stars on offense like Nellis. With the Miners Red facing Sky Canyon, the two-time defending school-unaffiliated state champions, Gatta believes Utah High School Hockey is giving strong teams like his tougher schedules this season, which he thinks will only make them stronger. Park City’s next game will be against Brighton Navy, a multitime former school-affiliated (the Miners Red’s division) state runner up, next Wednesday night on the road.  “I think it’s good for our kids, especially if we’re going to try to go to nationals,” Gatta said. “We’re looking forward to it.” The top team or two from Utah typically advances to the national championships in the spring. Park City’s goal is always to win state titles and advance to nationals and have success. Gatta would like to uphold the high standards that Adamek set for the program.  “The expectation for this team has always been to be the top in the state,” Gatta said. “We’ve won three of the last four and six out of the last seven, so we’re trying to keep that dynasty rolling. That’s our No. 1 goal this year.” Gatta said having more kids on the team playing club hockey will help the team reach their goals. He is looking to schedule some games against strong club teams later in the season if it appears the Miners Red will be headed to nationals again.  “I’m super excited to be the head coach of this team,” Gatta said. “It’s been something I’ve wanted to be for a while now, and (it is) finally happening. … It’s going to be an exciting year being with all these boys that I’ve already coached before.” To follow along with Park City’s results this season, see their Utah High School Hockey page: utahhighschoolhockey.com/park-city.  There is also a Miners White varsity team, which often serves as a feeder to the Miners Red team. The post Miners Red hockey team victorious in Wednesday’s season opener appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less