The Rocky Mountain Collegian

Issue date: 2/5/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: File photo CSU forward Tim Stiller (27) skates past CU defender Daniel Coloccia (9) in this Feb. 10, 2007 file photo. The Rams will host the Buffaloes tonight at the Budwiser Event Center at 7 p.m.

Tonight a new chapter will be written in the book of college rivalries, as the CSU club hockey team takes on archenemy Colorado at the Budweiser Event Center in Loveland.

In the Rocky Mountain Face-Off, the team's biggest rivalry of the season, the importance of playing the Buffs is not lost on those involved.

"The rivalry between CU and CSU has been intense for several years. Our guys circle the CU games on their calendars at the beginning of the season," said head coach Eric Sunness. "I am convinced that people would buy tickets to watch the two schools play ping pong against one another."

Each time the teams meet, the arena is at full capacity and the crowd never lets up, according to Sunness. And both squads have a reason to be fired up for this game.

Currently the Rams (22-8-1) are in first place of the west division of the American Collegiate Hockey Association, a position they have held for most of the season. But a loss could cost them their high ranking. Their opponent, CU (20-10-1), is ranked fourth in the same division, and has good motivation to win this game - beating CSU could skyrocket them to the top.

CSU won the two earlier meetings 8-3 and 3-2, respectively, but prior performance does not immediately give CSU the win.

"This has always been a great rivalry," said coach Kelly Newton.  "In my three years at CSU, neither team has swept the series."

Last year CSU owned the series 2-1-1 and the year before lost it 1-2-1. Both teams know that in every Rocky Mountain Face-Off anyone can leave the ice victorious.

"I would expect CU to be a hard working disciplined team under the guidance of Coach Fikis, for whom I have a great deal of respect," said Sunness.

This year could be the year for a sweep for the Rams, however, with stellar play on both ends of the ice. So far this season CSU has allowed 80 fewer goals than they have scored, putting the puck in the net a total of 185 times.

Of those goals, 27 have come from team scoring leader A.J. Hau. Superb goalie play by Mike Dlugos, who is ranked 17 in total minutes but has zero shutouts, has also allowed the team to play out in front most of the season.

Continued...

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