Saturday, November 5, 2011

Buffs Fall to Rams at Rocky Mountain Center Ice Showdown

DENVER (11/5/2011) The Colorado Buffaloes Division III men’s ice hockey team lost 7-0 against in-state rival Colorado State on Saturday afternoon at the third annual Rocky Mountain Center Ice Showdown at Pepsi Center.

Colorado’s record falls to 6-2 in loss, while CSU improved to 10-7 on the season.

The Rams took the lead quickly with the first goal, scored 53 seconds into the first period. The stanza slowed down, as the Buffs struggled to gain momentum. In the last 3:09, the Rams were able to increase their lead with a goal from Philip Brown to end the period.

The Rams continued to dominate on offense in the second stanza scoring two additional goals, bringing the score to 4-0 at the end of the second period.

The third period began with a fast goal by the Rams, only 2:69 into the stanza. The Buffs tried to gain control of the ice, but were unable to get past Colorado State goaltender Hayden Kelley. With 5:28 left in the stanza, the Rams slid the puck past the Buffs goalie Gordon Burns, scoring their sixth goal of the game. The Rams finished the contest with a goal in the last 1:02 of the game resulting in a victory over the Buffs.

“The team tried to complete to many cross ice passes,” said assistant coach Kevin Insana. “The team was not playing as a team, but individually and did not keep the game simple.”

The Rams were able to capitalize on 1-of-5 power plays with a goal by Philip Brown. Brown finished the game with a hat trick.

The Buffs took a total of 30 shots on goal while the Rams took 32.

The Buffaloes will look to redeem themselves next week as they travel to compete in the Alabama Showcase at Benton Wilcoxon Arena. Colorado will face Hope College Thursday, Nov. 10. They will go on to play the University of Alabama Nov. 11, Florida Gulf Coast University Nov. 12 and end the showcase on Sunday, Nov. 13 against the University of Central Florida.

The Buffs next home game will be Nov. 18 at 7:00 p.m. against UC Denver at the CU Ice Arena. Admission to all division III home games are open to the general public and free for students with a Buff One Card.

Scoring Summary
First Period
19:07 CSU Tom Malone, assisted by Jake Lammert
3:09 CSU Philip Brown, assisted by Dan Hassler and Scott Hassler – PP
Second Period
            12:25 CSU Dan Hassler, assisted by Mike Jimenez
            10:34 CSU Scott Hassler, assisted by Andrew Hasse and Andy Hoehler
Third Period
            17:31 CSU Philip Brown, assisted by Tom Malone
            5:28 CSU Brian Pekara, assisted by Scott Hassler
            1:02 CSU Dan Hassler, assisted by Philip Brown and Brian Pekara

Shots on Goal
CU - 30
CSU - 32

Power Plays
CU: 0-of-6
CSU: 1-of-5