CSU (7-3 overall, 4-0 division) was sparked by an 11 point second quarter and unbelievable goaltending by Cale Vanvelkinburgh (11 saves, 11 goals against) as they roared past BYU (record) for a much needed league win. The first quarter saw a lot of sloppy play as both teams tried to rid themselves of the jitters. The ball was on the ground much of the time, but CSU managed to keep the ball in the BYU zone for a lot of the period.
The Rams finally broke the ice on a goal by Ryan Ferrin (3 goals, 5 assists) from a pass from Doug Priebe (2g, 1a) with 8:38 left in the period. Priebe saw his first action of the year after finally recovery from a knee injury that had kept him sidelined until Saturday. The game continued to be very sloppy for the next five minutes until BYU attackmen Steve Austin (3g, 2a) and Rex Hardy (7g, 2a) poured in three straight in a minute to give the Cougars a 3-1 lead. However, a BYU penalty gave Terry Williams (1g, 1a) a chance to rip home a man-up goal with 2:16 left to get the Rams back in it. The quarter ended with the Cougars up 3-2. As the second quarter started, the Ram defense began to establish supremacy. Jeff Walker led the strong ìDî picking up 5 groundballs and shutting down the crafty Austin. Ferrin and Jim Hasson (2g, 0a) scored the first two of the quarter before Hardy scored again with 8:38 left. From then on, CSU dominated every phase of the game.
A goal by Ryan Davis (1g, 0a) started the State run just :20 after the Hardy goal. This gave CSU a lead that they would not relinquish for the rest of the game. In a two-minute span, State scored five goals, including a sensational goal by Loren Husson (3g, 0a). The Rams kept the pressure on as they scored four more goals in the last two-minutes of the half to extend their lead to 13-4. When the dust finally settled, Colorado State had scored ten goals in a row. Face-off men Pat Lambert and Andy Wolper played spectacularly in the second quarter as they continued to keep the ball on the offensive side of the field.
The second half started with another goal by Husson to push the lead to ten, and CSU scored three of the first four goals of the third. Mike Roth (4g, 1a) scored two in a row for the Rams and the lead was 17-6. Jared Katz (2g, 0a) played unbelievably. Leading the team with 6 groundballs and terrific wing play on face-offs, he was a sparkplug that generated a lot of momentum for State. CSU outscored BYU 5-3 in the third to push the lead to 18-7.
The game finally came to an end with the CSU bench pouring on the field to celebrate one of the first spring victories over the Cougars in some time. Brigham Young never seemed comfortable in the game as they made many mental errors including several late substitution and offsides calls as well as throwing the ball away in some critical situations. Dave Johnson played well for BYU making 27 saves, but it wasnít enough to overcome a relentless CSU offense. State cleared the ball exceptionally well, only failing to get it outside of the defensive zone on two occasions.
The statistics favored CSU in virtually every category, including a 66-30 shot advantage and an incredible 43-21 edge in groundballs.
Next up for Colorado State is another huge home game with the University of Colorado next Saturday. This RMILL rivalry should be another emotional game for the Rams as the post-season begins to loom in the distance. Brigham Young travels down to Colorado Springs to take on Division III Colorado College before heading back to Provo.
Goals: CSU: 21- Roth (4), Ferrin and Husson (3), Hasson, Katz, and Priebe (2), Napolilli, Davis, Williams, Hamm, and Naab BYU: 11- Hardy (7), Austin (3), Ruekert
Assists: CSU: 14- Ferrin and Napolilli (4), Sisbarro (2), Priebe, Ferrin, Williams, and Roth BYU: 6- Austin (3), Hardy (2), and Hawes
Goalies: CSU: Vanvelkinburgh (11 saves, 11 goals against) BYU: Nelson (27 saves, 21 goals against)
Penalties: CSU: 5 penalties for 3:30- Walker and Katz (1:00), Napolilli, Roth, and Robichaud (:30) BYU: 8 penalties for 7:30- Austin (2:00), Quiggle (1:30), Hardy, Stone, Young, and Hawes (1:00)
Shots: CSU: 66 total, 46 on goal BYU: 31 total, 24 on goal
Groundballs: CSU: 43 BYU: 21 Extra Man: CSU: 1/8 13% BYU: 0/4 0%
Clears: CSU: 15/17 88% BYU: 17/26 65% Officials: David Ellsworth, Bill Johanson, and Brian Maunay.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| CSU | 2 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 21 |
| BYU | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 11 |