The University of Arizona men’s hockey team (9-11) was swept in a two-game series by the University of Colorado Boulder. The Wildcats fell 4-3 in an overtime loss and 4-1 to the Buffaloes in the two games played in the Tucson Convention Center from Jan. 17-18.
Game 1: Friday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Tj Demeulenaere took the starting spot in the net in place of usual starter Haydn Gould, who was unavailable. Colorado quickly jumped out to a 1-0 with a goal by Kaid Nieslanik just four minutes into the game.
Despite a missed opportunity, the Wildcats capitalized on their return to the power play and delivered this time to tie the game at 1, with a goal by forward Tyler Shetland, with 2:23 left in the period. This score would stand going into the second period.
In the second period, defenseman Nicholas Chiocca netted his seventh goal of the season, giving the Wildcats a 2-1 lead. However, the Buffaloes swiftly responded with back-to-back goals at the fifth and 16th minute mark, edging ahead 3-2 as the match headed into the third period.
In the third period, Arizona forward Ari Rossi tied the game at 3, marking his fourth goal of the season. This was the one and only goal of the period for either program. After an unsuccessful power play by Arizona, the game headed to overtime.
Despite a tough battle, Colorado put the nail in the coffin, coming out victorious with a 4-3 win in overtime to take the first game of the series.
Game 2: Saturday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Demeulenaere once again started in the net, with Gould not playing in game two of the series after starting both games in the last series for the team.
The first period saw no goals as both teams remained scoreless, with the Wildcats successfully killing a penalty towards the end of the period.
Colorado was first to score with 10 minutes left in the second period, following a failed Arizona power play earlier in the frame.
Chiocca scored his second goal in as many days, tying the game at 1. With 2:54 left in the period however, Colorado managed to pull ahead and take control of the lead, leaving Arizona trailing the Buffs 2-1 heading into the third period.
Colorado scored early in the third period and never looked back, netting another goal later to win game two 4-1 and sweep the series.
Looking ahead
The Wildcats are now No. 9 in the WCHL standings with 19 points on the season.
Head coach Chad Berman as well as the team’s two leading goal scorers, forward Riley Ruh and Justin Hughes missed this series, as they are participating in the Winter World University Games that take place in Italy from Jan. 13 until Jan. 23.
They will return for the teams next series the Wildcats go against, facing the University of Utah on Jan. 24-25 in Tucson Arena.
Follow the Daily Wildcat on Instagram and Twitter/X
