BOULDER (01/27/2012)- No. 5 The University of Colorado men’s Division III ice hockey team defeated the United States Air Force Academy 9-4 Friday night, in their first contest against the team this season.
The victory improves the Buffs record to 16-7 on the season, while the loss dropped AFA’s mark to 3-4.
Thomas Franklin and Thomas Kubancik each picked up two goals for the Buffs, with additional goals by Matt Conrad, Jesse Gasbarro, Tyler Patrick, Nate Grush and Andrew Nelson. CJ Nizich, Austin Curtis, Zach Allen, Nic Kroha, Robert Cates, Adam Vahling, Kris Amstutz and Taylor Matta all picked up assists.
Colorado took the lead 3:54 into the first period with a quick goal from the slot. The Buffs were able to increase their advantage of the ice, scoring a wrap around goal midway into the stanza. In the last 3:58, the Air Force Academy slid the puck past Colorado’s goaltender, ending the period 2-1 CU.
The Buffs swept the second period, scoring four back-to-back goals, within the first 5:00 of play. The Falcons were unable to get around Colorado’s defense, until late in the stanza when they picked up their second goal of the evening. The Buffs retaliated seconds later, with a breakaway goal increasing their lead to 7-2.
The third period started off fast, with a goal from Colorado 2:02 into the stanza. The period slowed down as neither team was able to put the puck either teams goaltender. With only 5:49 left in the game, Kubancik scored his second goal of
the night, increasing Colorado’s lead to 8-2. The contest appeared to be over with only 1:00 left and no action from the opposing team. To the crowd’s surprise, the Falcons scored two additional goals, ending the night 9-4 Buffs.
Colorado goaltender Alex Puig finished the night with 28 saves on 32 shots.
The Division III squad will make their way back to the ice with a weekend series against in state rival Colorado State University. They will begin their weekend at Epic Ice Arena in Fort Collins at 5:00 p.m., on Friday, Feb. 3. They will then meet CSU at home, at the CU Ice Arena, on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 7:30 p.m. to end the weekend series matchup.
Admission to all Division III home games is FREE!
Listen to the live audio and video broadcast of the Air Force Academy game
here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cubuffsd3hockey
Scoring Summary
First Period
16:06 CU – Jesse Gasbarro, assisted by Zach Allen and Matt Conrad
11:23 CU – Matt Conrad, assisted by Jesse Gasbarro
3:58 AFA – Aaron Quick, assisted by Matt Cignoli
Second Period
16:45 CU – Thomas Franklin, assisted by Nic Kroha and Robert Cates
16:25 CU – Thomas Franklin, assisted by Robert Cates
15:59 CU – Tyler Patrick, assisted by Adam Vahling and Kris Amstutz
13:27 CU – Nate Grush, assisted by Tyler Patrick and Adam Vahling
2:15 AFA – Ben Fonte, assisted by Michael Fisk
1:14 CU – Thomas Kubancik, assisted by Taylor Matta and Andrew Nelson
Third Period
17:58 CU – Andrew Nelson, assisted by Austin Curtis
5:49 CU – Thomas Kubancik, assisted by CJ Nizich
57.2 AFA – Bobby Bell, unassisted
30.9 AFA – Bobby Bell, assisted by Kyle Schoonover
Shots on Goal
CU - 39
AFA - 32
Power Plays
CU: 0-of-4
AFA: 0-of-4
The victory improves the Buffs record to 16-7 on the season, while the loss dropped AFA’s mark to 3-4.
Thomas Franklin and Thomas Kubancik each picked up two goals for the Buffs, with additional goals by Matt Conrad, Jesse Gasbarro, Tyler Patrick, Nate Grush and Andrew Nelson. CJ Nizich, Austin Curtis, Zach Allen, Nic Kroha, Robert Cates, Adam Vahling, Kris Amstutz and Taylor Matta all picked up assists.
Colorado took the lead 3:54 into the first period with a quick goal from the slot. The Buffs were able to increase their advantage of the ice, scoring a wrap around goal midway into the stanza. In the last 3:58, the Air Force Academy slid the puck past Colorado’s goaltender, ending the period 2-1 CU.
The Buffs swept the second period, scoring four back-to-back goals, within the first 5:00 of play. The Falcons were unable to get around Colorado’s defense, until late in the stanza when they picked up their second goal of the evening. The Buffs retaliated seconds later, with a breakaway goal increasing their lead to 7-2.
The third period started off fast, with a goal from Colorado 2:02 into the stanza. The period slowed down as neither team was able to put the puck either teams goaltender. With only 5:49 left in the game, Kubancik scored his second goal of
the night, increasing Colorado’s lead to 8-2. The contest appeared to be over with only 1:00 left and no action from the opposing team. To the crowd’s surprise, the Falcons scored two additional goals, ending the night 9-4 Buffs.
Colorado goaltender Alex Puig finished the night with 28 saves on 32 shots.
The Division III squad will make their way back to the ice with a weekend series against in state rival Colorado State University. They will begin their weekend at Epic Ice Arena in Fort Collins at 5:00 p.m., on Friday, Feb. 3. They will then meet CSU at home, at the CU Ice Arena, on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 7:30 p.m. to end the weekend series matchup.
Admission to all Division III home games is FREE!
Listen to the live audio and video broadcast of the Air Force Academy game
here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cubuffsd3hockey
Scoring Summary
First Period
16:06 CU – Jesse Gasbarro, assisted by Zach Allen and Matt Conrad
11:23 CU – Matt Conrad, assisted by Jesse Gasbarro
3:58 AFA – Aaron Quick, assisted by Matt Cignoli
Second Period
16:45 CU – Thomas Franklin, assisted by Nic Kroha and Robert Cates
16:25 CU – Thomas Franklin, assisted by Robert Cates
15:59 CU – Tyler Patrick, assisted by Adam Vahling and Kris Amstutz
13:27 CU – Nate Grush, assisted by Tyler Patrick and Adam Vahling
2:15 AFA – Ben Fonte, assisted by Michael Fisk
1:14 CU – Thomas Kubancik, assisted by Taylor Matta and Andrew Nelson
Third Period
17:58 CU – Andrew Nelson, assisted by Austin Curtis
5:49 CU – Thomas Kubancik, assisted by CJ Nizich
57.2 AFA – Bobby Bell, unassisted
30.9 AFA – Bobby Bell, assisted by Kyle Schoonover
Shots on Goal
CU - 39
AFA - 32
Power Plays
CU: 0-of-4
AFA: 0-of-4
