Despite the cold and wind, CSU (2-0 overall, 1-0 league) was able to reel of six unanswered goals to start the game and hold the Buffs (0-1, 0-0)scoreless for the first half en route to a 12-3 victory. The first quarter was an evenly played one, with CSU scoring early on a dodge by attackman Ryan Davis (jr.- Pittsford, NY 3g, 3a). The Rams outshot CU 14-7 in the first frame and jumped out to a 2-0 lead when midfielder Mike Roth (jr.- Eaglecrest, CO 2g, 1a) scored on another dodge with 4:50 left.
The second quarter demonstrated the might of the CSU defense… particularly the goaltending. Goaltender Cale Vanvelkinburgh (jr.- Fountain Valley, CO 25 saves) was spectacular, turning back 11 shots in the period. CU controlled the action for much of the second quarter thanks to numerous Rams penalties and poor clearing. Vanvelkinburgh and the rest of the defense, led by Pat Coy (jr.- Heritage, CO 11 groundballs) was able to stave off 5 Buffalo extra-man opportunities. This included a two-minute non-releasable penalty in which CU could only get off a couple of outside shots. In between all of this great defense, CSU was able to pump in 3 more goals, including a spectacular pass and shot from Roth to Ryan Ferrin (Sr.- Wheatridge, CO 3g, 0a) on a 5 on 5 situation. The Rams lead at the half, 5-0.
The third quarter saw more great defensive action for the Rams as they killed off any CU hopes for an upset when they shut down another two minute penalty. As actions and emotions started heating up, Colorado was finally able to beat Vanvelkinburgh with a great crank shot with 10:30 left in the third.
The fourth quarter saw the Rams shut down CU defensively again. The Buffs managed two man-up goals throughout the period, but were answered each time by the patient and opportunistic CSU offense. CSU outscored CU 4-2 in the last stanza to win 12-3 in a game that could have been much closer if not for the amazing goaltending of Vanvelkinburgh and the rest of the tough Rams defense. Pat Lambert (jr.- Judge Memorial, UT 2 faceoff wins)and Andy Wolper (jr.- Arapahoe, CO, 7 f.o wins) faced-off well against talented Buffalo middie Jay Erickson (5 f.o. wins) as CSU won 11/19 faces. Attackman Mike Napollili (so.- Heritage, CO) also chipped in with 3 goals and 2 assists.
Next up for the Rams is a league game with the Colorado School of Mines at home on Saturday, followed by an exhibition on Sunday against Team Warrior.
Turnovers:
CSU 11
CU 10
Clears:
CSU 16/33 49%
CU 10/33 61%
Extra-man:
CSU 2/5 40%
CU 2/10 20%
Saves:
CSU- Vanvelkinburgh 3 ga, 25 saves, 89% save %
CU- Birk 12 ga, 11 s, 48% save. %
Faceoffs:
CSU- 11 Wolper (7), Lambert (2), Nelson, Mueller
CU- 8 Erickson (5), #20 (2), #18
Penalties:
CSU- 11 penalties for 11:30 Robichaud (3:00), Coy (2:30), Ferrin (2:00), Lambert, Hasson, Davis, and Napollili (1:00)
CU- 7 for 7:30 #23, #22, and #3 (2:00), #20 (1:30), #10 (1:00)
Ground Balls:
CSU- 51 Coy (11), Roth (8), Vanvelkinburgh (7), Nelson (5), Ferrin (4), Robichaud (3), Walker (3), Williams (3), Napollili (2), Gemperline (2), Hamm, Sisbarro, Davis, Lambert, Husson
CU- 54 No names available
Goals:
CSU- 12 Roth (2), Davis (3), Ferrin (3), Napollili (3), Sisbarro (1)
CU- 3 #3 (2), Erickson (1)
Assists:
CSU- 8 Davis (3), Napollili (2), Roth, Walker, Husson
CU- 3 #3, #33, #2
Shots:
CSU- 39 total, 23 on goal
CU- 50 total, 28 on goal
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| CSU | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 12 |
| CU | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |