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Buffs Bear Down on Wildcats in Second Meeting

2012-02-18

Credit: Paige Janulewicz/University of Colorado Men's Ice Hockey

No. 4 University of Colorado Buffaloes defeated the Division I Arizona Wildcats in a thrilling shootout.

By: Katie Russel and Paige Janulewicz
Directors of Public Relations and Social Media

BOULDER- The No. 4 University of Colorado Buffaloes Division II men’s ice hockey team defeated the Division I University of Arizona for the second consecutive time this season.

Alex Lencioni, Brennan Stieneker and J.P. Park all scored for the Buffs, while Zach Lass, Park and Lencioni picked up the assists. Park found the back of the cage twice in the evening.

The first period began slowly on both sides of the ice as the teams struggled to out play the opponents defense. Midway into the stanza, Arizona was able to pick up the first goal of the contest. With only 3:35 left in the period, Lencioni took a shot from the slot and slid the puck past the Wildcats goalie, ending the period 1-1.

Colorado took control of the ice, scoring in the first 14 seconds of the second period. Not long after, Arizona found the back of the cage, tying the game 2-2. With 7:21 left in the stanza, Stieneker shot from the upper right hand corner of the ice, advancing Colorado’s lead to 3-2 over the Wildcats. The Buffaloes continued their offensive push, scoring with 2:44 remaining. Arizona closed out the period with a goal 56 seconds left in the second twenty minutes.

In the last period, both teams defense stood strong, holding back any scoring opportunities. It wasn’t until the last 5:43 of the stanza that Arizona was able to score, tying the game 4-4.

The contest entered a five-minute over time, but neither team was able to find the back of the cage.

In a shootout contest, the Buffaloes Lencioni, Stieneker, Park and Ryan Donato all scored for the Buffaloes, as they powered past the Wildcats for the win.

“We started the game slow but were able to pick it up after the first 10 minutes,” said head coach Shawn Sullivan. “Winning in a shootout was a great way to end the night.”

According the ACHA rules the contest will be marked as a tie.

"We came together as a team tonight,” said Donato, who had the game-winning goal. “Arizona is a Division I opponent and they gave us a tough game.”

Buffaloes goaltender Alex Pomerleau made 59 saves on 63 shots, a season high. This win increased the Buffs record on the season to 22-7-0-1.

“It was a very fast paced game and having all of those shots made it easy to get warmed up and into the game,” said Pomerleau. “I made the saves that I needed to make.”

On Saturday, the Buffs will take on the Pioneers at 7:30 p.m., at the CU Ice Arena. This game will honor the seniors for their dedication to the CU hockey program. Senior night will mark the teams last home game of the season.

Admission to all Division II home games is $3 for students with a Buff One card and $5 for the general public.

Watch the live archived video broadcast of the Colorado-Arizona game at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cubuffshockey

Scoring Summary

First Period

11:43 UA – Brady Lefferts, assisted by Jonathon Wantanabe and Shane Gleason PP

3:35 CU – Alex Lencioni, assisted by J.P. Park

Second Period

19:46 CU – J.P. Park, assisted by Alex Lencioni and Tyler Moore

18:53 UA – Sean MacLachlan, assisted by Jared Lowell and Geordy Weed

7:21 CU – Brennan Stieneker, assisted by Zach Lass PP

2:44 CU – J.P. Park, assisted by Alex Lencioni

0:56 UA – Jonathon Wantanabe, assisted by Brady Lefferts and Blake Richards PP