Buffs Edge Rams in Overtime Thriller at Student Rec Center
BOULDER, Colo. — The University of Colorado clawed back from a late surge by Colorado State to steal a 5–4 overtime win Saturday afternoon at the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder Rec Center Ice Rink, capping a wild weekend series between the in-state rivals.
Defenseman Jake Carnie played hero for the Buffaloes, burying the game-winner just 3:51 into the extra frame off a feed from Cameron Piggott and Douglas Wood. The goal erased CSU’s hopes of a comeback after the Rams erased a two-goal deficit in the third period.
Colorado jumped out early, striking three times in the opening frame. TJ Norris gave CSU a brief lead at 4:39, but Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØanswered with goals from Owen Dickinson, Elliot Testa (on the power play), and Brodie Pearson to take a 3–1 advantage into the first intermission.
Pearson added his second of the night early in the second, but CSU refused to fold. Connor Pietrangelo scored midway through the second to trim the lead to 2. CSU answered with two early goals in the third period to tie it up. Riley Hunt-Bahn combined for a power-play goal and Ryan Andor tied it at 4–4 with another power-play strike, setting the stage for overtime drama.
Goaltender Matthew Server was a rock for CU, turning aside 34 of 38 shots, including several in the dying moments of regulation. CSU split time in net between Colin Gallamore and Ethan Blackburn, who combined for 32 saves.
Special teams loomed large: CSU went 2-for-4 on the power play, while Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØmanaged just one goal on five chances. Penalties piled up—26 minutes combined—as tempers flared in a rivalry that rarely disappoints.
The win snapped CU’s three-game skid and avenged Friday’s 4–1 loss in Fort Collins. CSU, now 12-5-2-1, remains atop the division standings, while Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØimproves to 6-12-1-1.