Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Drop Final Game of the Season
Related Links
CU Hockey Media Relations
HUDSONVILLE, Mich. -- The University of Colorado Hockey Team finished the 2009 ACHA D-II Championships today, losing to the Miami (OH) Red Hawks, 2-1 on the final day of pool play.
After being tied up at one apiece after the first period, a second period Red Hawk goal proved to be the game winner as CU couldnGÇÖt find the back of the net in the third.
Senior goaltender Marc Torrente played in net for the Buffs, as it was his last game of his collegiate career. Other seniors who were playing in their final game include defenseman Mark Creamer, forward alternate captain Kevin Alpert, and defenseman captain Daniel Coloccia.
CU (24-13-1) will finish pool play with a 1-2 record, but played great hockey throughout the tournament as they beat William Patterson (25-9-1) on Tuesday 8-4, gave Davenport (39-3-1) all they could handle for forty minutes on Wednesday, and then played solid hockey against Miami (13-9-1) on Thursday.
The Buffs were in Pool D, also known as GÇ£the pool of death,GÇ¥ as all four teams in the pool dominated their respectable divisions during the season.
Davenport won the pool last night after scoring four goals in the third period to beat the Buffs 5-1. The defending champions will be advancing to the ACHA Championship semifinals for the fourth straight year.
In addition to Davenport, Colorado State, Siena and the winner of the Florida Gulf Coast-Michigan State game later tonight will be advancing into the ACHA final four on Friday, with the championship game on Saturday at 11:00 am (MT).
The Buffs were ranked third in the ACHA West going into nationals. They faired pretty well compared to the other three teams out of the west, as No. 4 Northern Colorado in Pool A finished with a 0-3 record, No. 2 Weber State finished 1-2 in Pool C, and No. 1 CSU will advance to the semifinals in Pool B, currently with a 2-0 record.
The Buffaloes expected final ranking of the season will probably be between nine-and-12 in the nation, as the final rankings will be released after the national championship game on Saturday.
For more information on the continuing action on the 2009 ACHA D-II Championships, go to either www.achachampionships.com or www.achagrandrapids.com.
Stay tuned to www.cubuffshockey.com for CUGÇÖs final ranking and offseason news as your Buffs prepare for the 2009-10 season.