Colorado State beats Buffs 6-3
In a game comprised of 26 total penalties, it came down to which team took better advantage of the power play. Friday night, Colorado State University was that team.
The CU Men’s Varsity Ice Hockey Team welcomed the Rams to Boulder on Feb. 9 for the first game of a final home-and-home series that will conclude the regular season for the Buffs.
Both teams tallied 26 penalty minutes each, but three power play goals helped lift CSU over the home team by a score of 6-3.
“The game is really all about special teams now, especially under the new rules,” Senior Captain Matt Ridens said. “You have to score on your power plays, and you need to make sure that you have good penalty kills.”
Ridens earned one assist in the game.
Although the Buffs connected for a total of 50 shots on goal, they did not find the back of the net during a man-advantage opportunity.
“We were getting a lot of shots, but they were not quality shots,” Head Coach Jeff Eaton said. “When we did get our opportunities, we didn’t bury the puck.”
CSU struck first, as the men in green scored 6:22 into the first period. The Rams added another goal late in the period, but CU quickly responded with a mark of their own. While CU out shot the Rams 24-12 by the end of the first 20 minutes of play, CU trailed 1-2.
The Buffs found some of their best chances throughout the second period, but the team did not capitalize on any shots. Both teams went scoreless during the second.
“We really had a lot of control in the second period,” Ridens said. “It really came down to the fact that we were not finishing our chances. I think we worked really hard, but there was a lack of consistency.”
CU built up an incredible amount of momentum during the final minutes of the period, but the second intermission appeared to deflate it entirely.
“I think at we got a little unfocused at the break, and it cost us,” Eaton said. “We came out flat in the third period, and we were not able to regroup.”
The Golden Buffaloes managed to stay within one goal of CSU for much of the third period by answering to two early scores added to the board by the visiting team. But CU’s final penalty of the game allowed the Rams to create a two-goal deficit with 3:12 remaining. CSU added an empty-net goal to secure the victory.
Goalie Nicolas Goulet started last night’s match up for CU. The freshman stopped 32 shots.
“I thought we played a good game, but we had some costly let downs that killed us,” Eaton said.
The CU squad anticipated a great night, as the final home game of the regular season was designated Senior Night, and even the Golden Buffalo Marching Band attended that match up.
“The crowd is always big when you get these two teams together,” Kris Schoech, the Club Sports Director said. “No matter what sport, it is always a rivalry when we play CSU. You always want to beat your neighbor.”
The evening kicked off with a short segment that honored the seniors.
“Having the band up in the rafters really gets you excited, and the fans were great,” Ridens said. “It was a really nice touch, and it is something that I’ll never forget.” Ridens is one of the team’s graduating seniors.
The Buffs have already earned the chance to compete in the American Collegiate Hockey Association Regional Playoffs in Logan, UT on Feb 16 and 17. The team is scheduled to play BYU at 11 a.m. on Thursday.
This weekend is the last time CU and CSU will meet this season unless the two teams see each other at ACHA Nationals. The championship is taking place in Fort Collins this year, automatically allowing the Rams access into the tournament.
Battling Colorado State for the final games of the regular season is great preparation for the postseason, Ridens said.
“You couldn’t ask for better games before you go into the playoffs,” he said. “CSU is a great team, and obviously the rivalry creates a playoff atmosphere. So it really gets you prepared for those tough, close games.”
The Buffs travel to Fort Collins tonight to take on the Rams for the second game of the series. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m..
“We need to crash the net hard, and it is really all about finishing the opportunities. We had the chances tonight, we just need to put the puck in the net,” Ridens said.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Corey Jones at corey.jones@thecampuspress.com
