Buffs hockey opens season with thriller against Roadrunners

Colorado's David Hoftiezer skating down the ice surrounded by Metropolitan State defenders. (Photo by Jacob Hock/Sko Buffs Sports)

Colorado Buffaloes men's Division I hockey (1-1-1) opened its season with a winning weekend against the Division II Metro State Roadrunners (0-2-0). After dropping Friday night’s game to the D-II Denver Pioneers, the Buffs came back with two impressive victories over the weekend.

After a scoreless first period against the Pioneers, the Buffs took charge of the game in the second. Buffs forward David Hoftiezer opened the scoring with a spectacular spin-o-rama around the defense, stuffing the puck past DU goaltender Jackson Karlitz. 

Jake Rosolanko converted a beautiful pass from Douglass Wood 20 seconds later, deflecting the puck inside the left goal post.

The Buffs emerged from the locker room with a two-goal lead to start the third period. The Pioneers’ Cody Bjorndal cut the lead in half on a power play, scoring a rebound against helpless Buffs goaltender Matthew Server. Gavin Faus tied the score a minute later off another rebound. The Pioneers iced the game with nine minutes left, with Willem Van Aarem scoring the go-ahead goal.

Colorado returned to the rink to play a thrilling game Saturday night against MSU. After the Roadrunners took an early lead six minutes into the game, Brodie Pearson delivered an equalizer on a beautiful pass from Rosolanko.

 Luc Masse gave the Buffs their first lead of the night after scoring off a deflection 13 minutes into the second stanza. The roadrunners went on a power play nine minutes into the third period, scoring their second goal of the night. Buffs’ defenseman Roman Templeton scored the go-ahead goal at 1:16 in the third. 

The Roadrunners pulled goalkeeper Kaden Biagi in the final minute, and then Ethan Rose delivered the game-tying goal, forcing overtime. The overtime period didn’t last long as Emerson Molas scored a dramatic breakaway goal for Colorado. Those in attendance were rewarded with a spectacular finish to a dramatic evening of hockey.

The tripleheader continued late Sunday morning as Colorado welcomed back MSU. The violent, fight-filled contest was short-lived, as the roadrunners forfeited after 20 minutes of play. Wood and Nick Hartek scored two first-period goals for the Buffs. 

Evidently, the roadrunners were dissatisfied with the physicality of the game, including three major penalties for fighting. MSU decided not to appear for the second period and declared the game a forfeit to CU. Within 42 hours, the Buffs’ wild opening weekend ended with two victories and one defeat.

After a bye week, Colorado will close out September in North Dakota as they face the Jamestown Jimmies and UMary Marauders.