CU had a rough start to the morning, giving up five goals in the first period against Texas Tech. While the Buffs were able to get back into the game, they were unable to overcome the slow start and dropped the game 8-3.
The Buffs had their next test against Tampa, a game where the Buffs were heavy underdogs. However, when CU jumped out to a 2-0 lead, the team believed that they could take the game. CU had a 4-3 lead going into the third period, where some gritty play led to the Buffs pulling out the 6-4 win, which is CU's first win against a D2 team since the division restructuring.
The third game featured the return of the Colorado vs Colorado State rivalry. CSU fielded a solid D3 team, and both teams were ready for the rivalry to renew. The game proved to be competitive without animosity, capped off by a highlight-reel goal by James Gallmeister. The Buffs won the game 8-4. Goaltender Cameron King won his second start of the day.
While most expected the fireworks to start during the CU-CSU game, it was the CU vs Florida Gulf Coast game that provided the most excitement of the night. The Buffs found themselves up 2-1 after the first period, and they went down 4-2 before clawing back to take a 5-4 lead heading into the third. Carlisle scored for Florida Gulf Coast at 5:44 in the third period. After the Eagles took a late slashing penalty, Cameron King capitalized in OT and the Buffs shocked FGCU to end the day.
CU will return next semester with an event 1/25 and 1/26 in Manhattan, Kansas before finishing off the regular season with a two-game set against CSU, date and time TBD. Go Buffs!!