HOLLAND, Mich. (3/1/11) - The University of Colorado men's D-III ice hockey team will look for their second national title when they head to the 2011 ACHA D-III National Championships at the Edge Ice Arena on Mar. 9-12.
Colorado ended the year second in the pacific division and earned one of the two automatic bids to nationals from the region. The Buffaloes finished the regular season with a 22-4 record and 4-0 against Colorado State. In fact, CU's D-III team has never lost to the D-III Rams, going 8-0 lifetime against CSU.
The Buffs will be the number two seed in Pool D at the tournament and will face Hope College, Robert Morris and Florida Atlantic in pool play. Colorado will begin play versus No. 3 seed Robert Morris on Wednesday Mar. 9 and No. 4 seed Florida Atlantic on Thursday Mar. 10. Puck drops for both games at 1:15 p.m. CU will finish pool play against No. 1 seed Hope College on Friday Mar. 11 at 5:15 p.m.
Friday's game against Hope College is big not just because Hope is hosting the event and are the top seed in the pool, but also because they knocked CU out of nationals last season. Colorado will be looking for redemption this time against the Flying Dutchmen, who finished second overall last year. Last season the Buffs finished eighth in the nation.
The best team from each of the four pools will then play in the semifinals on Saturday morning with the championship game being played later in the day. It CU wins their pool, they'll face the winner of Pool C, which consists of Central Florida, Farmingdale, Colorado State and Michigan State.
Saginaw Valley State University is once again the favorite to win the title as they've won the previous two D-III national championships.
Colorado last won the national championship in 2005, which capped off an undefeated season by the Buffs.
All of the national tournament games will be broadcasted live online at http://www.fasthockey.com/.
CU D-III men’s hockey website: http://uofcd3.goalline.ca/
Colorado National Tournament Schedule
Wed. Mar. 9 vs. No. 3 Robert Morris - 1:15 p.m. on the Red Rink
Thurs. Mar. 10 vs. No. 4 Florida Atlantic - 1:15 p.m. on the Red Rink
Fri. Mar. 11 vs. No. 1 Hope - 5:14 p.m. on the Blue Rink
Sat. Mar. 12 vs. Winner of Pool C - 9:30 a.m. on the Blue Rink
Sat. Mar. 12 National Championship game vs. Winner of Pool A/Pool B game - 8:30 p.m. on the Blue Rink
