FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Do or die. The chance at Nationals is in balance as the Colorado Buffaloes Division I men’s club ice hockey team traveled up to Fort Collins on Thursday night to face rival Colorado State Rams at the Edora Pool Ice Center, an arena the Buffs haven’t walked out of with a win since 2021.
The Rams looking to play spoiler in their last home game of the season. The black and gold need to sweep the weekend to keep even a sliver of hope alive in the battle to earn a trip to St. Louis for Nationals.
And while not officially post-season play, it certainly feels like it for Colorado.
In the NHL, a common theme in playoffs is that names are made, and unsung heroes come to the forefront to help their team to victory. For the Buffaloes, a name was made Thursday night: Jacob Rosalanko, a freshman looking to leave his mark.
It didn’t take long. Just under two minutes into the game, Rosalanko found himself in the right spot at the right time with the puck on his stick, burying one into a wide-open cage after CSU goaltender Sam Simon was caught out of position giving the Buffs an early 1-0 lead. Not only was it his first goal of the season, but the first goal of his career.
“It’s awesome, all season everyone’s been saying it’s coming and for it to happen in a game like this is such a great feeling,” Rosalanko said on his first career goal after the game.
The game stayed tight for the first two periods. The Rams tied the game at 2-2, with two and a half minutes left in the second. It didn't take long for the Buffaloes to respond. Rosalanko struck again putting Colorado back into the lead with a minute left in the second frame.
“Just one was great, and to get two in a game like this, it’s awesome,” Rosalanko said.
Rosalano’s second of the game would hold to be the game-winner as the Buffs pulled away in the third to win 7-2.
Friday night, the Rams will make their way to the CU Rec Center for the second half of the home-and-home.
Back in Boulder, the Buffs control their destiny.
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