Colorado Outshoots Creighton in First Win of Weekend

OMAHA, NE (12/2/11) – The University of Colorado at Boulder Division III men’s ice hockey team defeated Creighton University 8-4 tonight, resulting in their first win of the weekend, increasing their record to 11-5 on the American Collegiate Hockey Association season.

The Buffs outshot Creighton 33-13 with goalie Gordon Burns in the net.

Earlier in the season Colorado beat Creighton in an outstanding 11-1 victory at the CU Ice Arena and were able to continue that momentum tonight, raking in another big win against the Bluejays.

Colorado will compete against the University of Nebraska tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at Snider Ice Arena in Fremont, Nebraska. The Buffaloes will conclude the weekend against Dordt College on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Vernon Arena in Sioux Center, Iowa.

Follow the Buffaloes division II squad as they host the Western Classic Tournament this weekend at the CU Ice Arena. Tomorrow evening they will take on Arizona State at 8:30 p.m. The Buffs will then face the University of Washington at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and conclude the weekend on Sunday against the University Nevada-Las Vegas.

Buffs Take Down Lumberjacks in Emotional Western Classic Opener

BOULDER (12/2/11)– The University of Colorado Division II men’s ice hockey team kicked off the Western Classic on Thursday night at the CU Ice Arena with an aggressive 6-1 victory over Northern Arizona.

J.P Park, David Key, Chase Komatz and Sam Kinney all scored for the Buffaloes leading them to improve their record to 10-5-0-1 on the season and increasing their win streak to four games. Both Park and Komatz had two goals in the evening.

Goalie, Jay Westscott, had 31 saves in his first collegiate start.

The Lumberjacks were able to find the back of the cage first on a power play 11:43 into the game, but the Buffaloes were quick on the counter attack with a goal by Park less than a minute further into the penalty ridden first period.

Colorado began the first period with a 5-3 advantage over the Lumberjacks but were unable to capitalize on the scoring opportunity.

With 5:23 remaining in the second twenty minutes David Key used a bad bounce to fire a shot past the Northern Arizona goalie to give the Buffs their first lead of the game. From there Colorado took control of the contest scoring three additional goals to close out the second period.

The Buffs continued strong defensive play in the third stanza as they held the Lumberjacks offense goalless. Komatz closed out the aggressive game with the final goal.

“A very aggressive game occurred tonight” said head coach Shawn Sullivan, “We need to get some rest and come out ready to play good hockey tomorrow.”

The Buffs will continue their run at the Western Classic tomorrow when they face regional rival the Arizona State Sun Devil’s at 8:30 p.m. On Saturday, the squad will play Washington at 7:30 p.m. and will conclude the weekend against Nevada-Las Vegas on Sunday at 10:15 a.m. All Buffs games will be held at the CU Ice Arena.

Admission for all Division II home games is $3 for students with a Buff One card and $5 for the general public.
Listen to the Western Classic at: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cubuffshockey
Scoring Summary
First Period
8:13 NAU Goal: Zack Vachris, Assisted by Michael Farnham and Dillon Butenhoff PP
7:28 CU Goal: J.P Park PP
Second Period
5:23 CU Goal: David Key, Assisted by Cody Glickman
4:06 CU Goal: Chase Komatz, Assisted by Nick Carey
3:25 CU Goal: J.P Park, Assisted by Chase Komatz and Alex Dobzanksi
1:01 CU Goal: Sam Kinney, Assisted by Alex Lencioni and Cody Clickman
Third Period
1:18 CU Goal: Chase Komatz, Assisted by Cody Glickman and Zach Lass PP


Shots on Goal:
Northern Arizona – 32
Colorado – 34

Colorado Buffaloes Host Western Classic Tournament

BOULDER (12/1/11)– The University of Colorado Buffaloes Division II men’s ice hockey team prepares to host the annual Western Classic Tournament after returning from Thanksgiving break, with four games in four days.

This past weekend the Colorado Buffaloes traveled to Utah and took the Beehive Showcase by storm, coming out with a 3-0 record on the weekend.

Earlier in the 2011-12 American Collegiate Hockey Association season, Colorado beat Northern Arizona in a close 3-2 matchup. This weekend the Buffs look to gain another victory over the Ice Jacks, while also improving on their 9-5-0-1 record on the season.

Arizona State defeated the Buffaloes with a 4-3 victory over Colorado this past month. The Buffs motivation to take back the big win over Arizona State remains a crucial part of their strategy to dominate in their matchup against the Sundevils.

“After losing to Arizona Sate the last time we played them, our strategies will remain the same – get the puck deep and get pucks to the net,” John Park said. “ASU is a good team, but nothing we can’t handle if we just stick to our game plan and play to our strengths.”

Colorado will start off the four game weekend on Thursday night against the University of Northern Arizona (7-8-0-1) at 8:30 p.m. They will go on to play Arizona State (15-1) on Friday, also at 8:30 p.m., followed by the University of Washington (10-2) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. To end the weekend Colorado will matchup against the University of Nevada Las Vegas (5-6) early Sunday morning at 10:15 a.m. All games will be held at the CU Ice Arena.

Colorado Heads to Nebraska and Iowa for Weekend

OMAHA, NE (12/1/11)– The University of Colorado Division III men’s ice hockey team heads to Nebraska and Iowa to face three out of state opponent this weekend

Colorado will take on Creighton (0-7), Nebraska (8-5) and Dordt College (3-8) on a three-day road trip.

The Buffs beat out CU-Denver and Northern Colorado two weeks ago to improve their record to 10-5 on the season. They hope to build on that momentum this weekend.

“We had a nice weekend before break going 2-0 and then had the week off,” said goalie Gordon Burns. “We need to practice hard and just keep playing our game. If we play to our full potential then the rest should take care of itself this weekend”

The Buffaloes are currently ranked third in the Division III Pacific region.

On Thursday Colorado will face Creighton University at Motto McClean Ice Arena at 10:30 p.m. in Omaha, Nebraska. Next, the University of Nebraska hosts the Buffs on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Snider Ice Arena in Fremont, Nebraska. CU will conclude the weekend against Dordt College on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Vernon Arena in Sioux Center, Iowa.

The D-III team returns home on Dec. 9 when they take on the Metro State Roadrunners at 7:30 p.m. at the CU Ice Arena. All Division III home games are FREE.

The Division II squad will be hosting the Western Classic this weekend at the CU Ice Arena. They will begin the weekend on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. against Northern Arizona. On Friday they take on Arizona State at 8:30 p.m. The Buffs will then face Washington at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and conclude the weekend on Sunday against Nevada-Las Vegas.

All D-II home games are $3 for students with a Buff One card and $5 for the general public.