Both teams held strong defensively in the first quarter as the two squads combined for only 10 shots. But the Rams owned the second frame, outshooting the Buffs 12-5 and dumping home three goals to CU’s one.
Kacy Carter (Rock Canyon HS / Castle Rock, CO) scored both of his goals during the second quarter and senior attackman Taylor Peper (Smoky Hill HS / Aurora, CO) notched an important tally with just over two minutes left in the half to give the Rams a 4-1 lead.
Colorado didn’t fade away, however, going on a three-goal run coming out of the break to make it a one point game headed to the fourth quarter. But CSU dominated the Buffs in the fourth again, including a two-goal burst in less than :20 with 7:20 remaining to put the game away.
CSU was led by Carter’s two goals and one assist and an identical three-point performance from junior attackman Austin Fisher (Rock Canyon HS / Highlands Ranch, CO). Four other players added a single goal for the Rams. Junior Dan Warfield (Smoky Hill HS / Aurora, CO) was outstanding at the face-off ‘x’ with an 11 of 14 performance and a team-high four groundballs. Riley Seidel led the Buffaloes with two goals.
Colorado State outshot Colorado 35-20 and picked up 23 groundballs to CU’s 20. Both teams cleared relatively well, but CSU’s three-goal outburst on man-up and Warfield’s dominating face-off performance ended up being a big difference in the game.
Colorado goaltender Bradley MacNee was solid, making seven saves on the evening while CSU’s duo of Jack Regan (Sunset HS / Beaverton, OR) and Koltin Fatzinger (Wheat Ridge HS / Thornton, CO) combined for nine.
CSU (14-2 overall) moves to the RMLC championship game for a rematch with #2 Brigham Young, who defeated the University of Utah 13—7 earlier in the evening. BYU took an 8-6 win over CSU a month ago in Denver and the Rams will be looking for a measure of revenge against their rivals from Provo. Game time at Colorado Mesa University will be 5pm MST.