This weekend, the CSU Rams will take on the University of Denver Pioneers in a home and home series, playing in Denver on Friday night followed by a game in Fort Collins on Saturday night. This weekend has big conference implications for both teams as they enter the weekend tied for 4th place in the Big Mountain Hockey Conference. 2 wins by either team would propel them into third place, ahead of CU. Performance this weekend could also shuffle up the first round of ACHA D2 rankings, which have yet to be released.

CSU Rams

The Rams are coming off a split weekend, with a win against CU and a loss against MSU-Denver. After some tough games against UNC and the win against CU, it appeared as though the Rams had finally managed to overcome their third period woes. Unfortunately, those woes crept right back in as MSU scored three unanswered goals in the third period to bury CSU, 5–1. The Rams will need to find a way to put together six solid periods of hockey across their two games against DU. Fortunately, it seems that the Rams will have their top scorers — Forward Reid Goodman and Defenseman Dmitri Smith — back in the lineup this weekend. A point of emphasis in practice this week for the Rams has been special teams. CSU’s penalty kill stands at a respectable 75.0%; however, CSU’s powerplay has been practically silent, sitting at an astonishingly low 8.9%. The Rams have struggled to capitalize on the powerplay, which has ultimately cost them a few games this season. This will be the first meeting between the Rams and the Pioneers this season, so expect a relatively low scoring affair on Friday evening as both teams feel each other out.

DU Pioneers

The Pioneers enter the weekend with a 3–8–0–0 record, only marginally better than the Rams’ 2–7–1–1 record. The Pioneers also have a very short bench, made worse by multiple injured players. This will be an advantage for the Rams, who have consistent depth on forward and defense. Offensively, DU is led by forwards Chris Lugg and Christos Koukis with 13 and 11 points, respectively. The Pioneers are allowing over 4.5 goals per game defensively, with all three goaltenders (with starts) averaging 4.00 goals against or higher. DU sports a decent powerplay (21.7%) so the Rams will need to avoid taking penalties and giving the Pioneers offensive chances on the powerplay.

All in all, both games are winnable for the Rams. Depth will be a huge advantage, so expect CSU to roll all 4 lines and all defensive pairings as much as possible to wear down the Pioneers. The Rams will need to focus on the things that have brought them success, and avoid costly turnovers at both bluelines to come out of this weekend with 2 wins and 6 points in the BMHC.