Parker Dietz (14) blocks a Bronchos player and beats him to the puck on Thursday in Boulder, Colo. The University of Colorado’s men’s hockey team played against the University of Central Oklahoma, but after an early lead, the Bronchos won the game. (Elizabeth Rodriguez/CU Independent)
It was a rough weekend for the men’s club hockey team, which failed to earn a victory out of three home games. The Buffs played the University of Central Oklahoma Thursday and the University of Oklahoma on Friday and Saturday. They lost by scores of 4-2, 4-1 and 6-3.
Nov. 13 — Colorado vs. Central Oklahoma
Things started off well for the Buffs on Thursday night against the No. 1-ranked Bronchos team. They got to work quickly, going up 2-0 at the end of the first intermission thanks to goals by forwards Jake Bauer and Thomas Jarman. Bauer currently leads the team in points with nine goals and four assists.
The offense failed to generate any more goals after that, and in the second period alone UCO scored three goals. Head Coach Jeff Neitenbach maintains that although the momentum stopped, his Colorado team stayed right with their top-ranked opponent on the ice.
“We stayed right with ‘em,” Neitenbach said. “Save a few bad turnovers, and it would have been a different game. The guys have to take control of the play and not just let the play come to them.”
Nov. 14 — Colorado vs. Oklahoma University
Friday was Military Appreciation Night for the Buffs, and military members and veterans were honored before the game. Unfortunately, a win would not go with the festivities. OU’s Darrell Boldon’s hat trick and another goal from Joe Adams lifted the Sooners to a 4-1 win. Penalties deflated the Buffs’ efforts as well. They spent a combined 28 minutes in the penalty box on eight infractions. Forward George Gruber VII netted the Buffs’ lone goal and goaltender Alex Palumbo saved 30 shots in the losing effort.
Nov. 15 — Round two vs. OU
Saturday’s rematch with OU didn’t go much better for the Buffs, as they fell 6-3 to the Sooners. Things seemed to get away from them late; OU scored three goals in the third period to stretch their one-goal lead from the second. Luc Neitenbach, Pierce Maty and Thomas Jarman all contributed goals in the losing effort.
There were a few recurring themes in the Buffaloes’ losing streak. First and foremost: penalties. On Thursday, they gave the UCO Bronchos seven power play opportunities. On Friday and Saturday, the Sooners had six power play chances in each game. On the other side of things, their own power plays were ineffective, converting only one of 14 opportunities over the three games. Frequent trips to the penalty box don’t help Colorado in the offensive zone, which brings up the next point: shots on goal.
The Buffs were outshot in all three games by a sizeable margin. In total, they were outshot 111-65. Quite frankly, Alex Palumbo was shot to bits this weekend. Although he’s good, Colorado can’t expect their goaltender to do all the work, especially when he’s facing close to 40 shots per game.
The Buffs fell to 2-5-1 on the season and at the moment sit in last place in the Western Collegiate Hockey League. They will be back in action on Friday, Nov. 21 at the CU Rec Center. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Justin Guerriero at justin.guerriero@colorado.edu.
