Ice Hockey Starts Season 3-0
Few ice hockey teams can boast two stellar goaltenders, but for
the first time ever, the Rams can boast about all three of theirs.
Elliot Ritter, Jared Hiller and Logan Huffman each stood strong
over the weekend as the CSU club hockey team won all three of its
games.
On Friday, CSU defeated the University of Denver’s club team
10-1. Goals came in pairs as Braden Grieser, Josh Bowers, Jeff Mann
and Tommy Owens all scored two goals apiece and Hiller made 22
saves for the win.
Saturday’s rematch in Denver was more of the same. CSU
controlled play most of the night and never trailed in a 5-0
victory. Playing in net, Ritter made 18 saves for the first shutout
of the season. Although the Rams’ defense held DU’s scoring chances
to a minimum, Ritter played solidly when called upon.
Sunday was the first real test for the Rams. They faced a
stealthy Naval Academy team from Maryland, a team that had decided
to take a road trip to Colorado in order to play Air Force, but
six-year head coach Rick Randazzo expressed his feelings about
coming to Colorado for the first time.
“October will tell us a lot about what kind of team we’re going
to have,” Randazzo said. “We have seven road games to open the
season and we’re glad to have the chance to play a couple of solid
teams in Colorado.”
After Navy took a 1-0 lead early in the game on a nice
individual effort by Chris Schnappinger, the Rams’ defense
tightened up in front of goalie Logan Huffman and the chances for
Navy quickly diminished.
“I’m surprised our guys are playing so well with three of our
top players out,” said Joshua McIntosh, president of Rams ice
hockey.
Head coach Dave Delozier chose to scratch a few of their top
forwards in Ryan Lewis and Jason Bowers in order to use the Rams’
depth and it paid off as Jeff Mann scored a pair of consecutive
goals to reclaim the lead; Mann’s second goal came off a nice
redirection on the power play. The Rams never trailed after that
point, and won the contest 4-3.
“They actually are a real decent team,” said Navy forward
Michael Baker about CSU’s squad.
The Rams continue their season against Montana State Friday
night at EPIC.
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