Andrew Gillis (#11) and defenseman Sam Kinney (#12) congratulate David Starr (#28) after a successful play at the end of the first period during their game against the Metro State Roadrunners on Jan. 23 in the CU recreation center. The Buffs won 13-2. (CU Independent file/Kelly Kaoudis)
As the Buffs head to the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Championships in Simsbury, Connecticut, they depart CU motivated. Just ask freshman defender David Starr.
“Yeah, we are really prepared,” Starr said. “We have had a lot more practices than normal, and we have been working on a lot of team stuff, and we are really focused, and we have a had a lot more ice time, and I think that’s really paying off.”
Colorado finished this season 22-9, leading to an automatic bid for the NCAA Division II finals.
The Buffs are frequent visitors to the ACHA Championship Tournament but have not made it out of the semi-finals since 2003. If they win, it will be the varsity team’s second national championship.
Three wins in the opening round secures a place in the semi-finals on Saturday as the Buffs compete in a best of three games situation to advance in the tournament.
For increased security, the Buffs must also keep their score line high.
Conor Williams won two games during the opening round his freshman year, but since there was another team with two wins, CU did not advance to the semi finals because of the score differentials. Williams says for this reason, it’s always better to win three games.
So what teams possess the biggest threat for the Buffs’ second trophy?
Davenport. They enter as tournament favorites as defending, back-to-back champions. However, CU is also a favorite, entering as the number one seed for the west coast Pool D .
Head coach Ken Fikis said he is wary of his competition.
“Well, in our bracket, Miami of Ohio Red Hawks have been playing really well,” Fikis said. “They beat Davenport and Grand Valley and are in the top five of the country, and they beat both in their playoffs. If we beat them then we have to play Davenport. It’s going to be a challenge just to get out of the bracket.”
The Buffs will start off on Wednesday at 2 p.m. playing the Red Hawks. They will take on the Grand Valley State Lakers at 11 a.m. on Thursday, who pose another challenge standing at third in the central region behind Davenport and Michigan State.
They finish off the opening round against Miami of Ohio, at 10 a.m. on Friday.
Fikis said that if CU does play Saturday, the Buffs could face arch-rivals CSU, but only if they make it past the opening pool.
Williams said he feels such an outcome depends entirely on the squad.
“We got a great opportunity this year, so it is in our own hands. Were controlling our own destiny,” Williams said.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Gina Yocom at Gina.yocom@colorado.edu.
