Sophomore forward Erich Seufert celebrates his first goal against CSU on Nov. 6, 2009. The Buffs beat the rams in the Rec Center 4-2. They won against the Rams the night before in the Pepsi Center 5-3. (CU Independent file/Molly Maher)
It’s a showdown between No. 1 and 2 in Division II men’s club hockey.
“This is a game for the marvels,” said head coach Ken Fikis.
The No. 1 Colorado Buffaloes take on the No. 2 Colorado State Rams Saturday at 7 p.m. at the CU Rec Center. The game could decide the postseason fates of both teams.
“It’s basically the most important game we’ve had all season,” said junior forward Mark Viau. “If we lose it, we might end up at two or three and have to go to Greeley for regionals. If we win it, we’re pretty much number one and guaranteed a free spot at nationals.”
These terms represent the regional championship and the national championship of Division II hockey in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), what every team prepares for throughout the season.
Viau’s comment is just a prediction, however; this situation is based on the assumption that the Buffs win all of their remaining games. But, they have to get past the Rams first.
CU is 2-1 against the Rams this season, but the Buffs will be missing a key player from past games against CSU.
According to Fikis, sophomore forward Erich Seufert will be missing at least three weeks of play.
“He had a concussion about a month and half ago and it doesn’t look like it ever actually healed well,” Fikis said. “So he’s been going to a neurologist and he cannot do anything for at least 3 weeks.”
Seufert had one goal and one assist in the first win against CSU, and he had two goals in the second win.
Fikis says new players, such as sophomore forward Nick Carey, will be able to fill in for Seufert in this important game. Fikis is confident that his team will beat CSU on Saturday.
“I don’t want to say we’re overconfident, but we’re playing well and we’ve done well against them,” Fikis said. “I think the kids are really ready.”
Viau says home-ice advantage, which may have been a contributing factor in their two previous wins, will help them once again.
“We usually get a pretty good crowd for the CSU games here and students get rowdy so that will just pump us up more and get us ready to go,” Viau said.
Junior forward Andrew Neitenbach thinks the scene of a home game against Colorado State makes the game distinctive.
“A home game is huge against CSU just because they’re more hostile [than other teams],” Neitenbach said. “Their fans spit on you the whole game and yell at you, so yeah it will be nice to be at home. Plus when you get the victory it feels that much better.”
Fikis says it’s not vital to him whether his team gets a win or a loss.
“To be honest, I don’t even look at wins and losses,” Fikis said. “I just want my kids to play better every week.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Kayla Cornett at kayla.cornett@colorado.edu.
