Bronchos split games against #19 Robert Morris University

By Rocky Wiles

For the second straight week, the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos faced a nationally ranked opponent.  Robert Morris University came into Friday nights game against the Bronchos ranked 19th nationally in the ACHA Division 1 poll released early on Friday morning. 

In Fridays game, Robert Morris University struck twice in a 3 minute span in the first period to give the Colonials a 2-0 lead.  But UCO came back with the first of two first period goals by AJ Alfrey.  Robert Morris extended the lead to 3-1 off a late face-off before AJ Alfrey put a laser of a shot off the left post to close to gap to 3-2 just before the period ended.

After a second period goal by the Colonials, the Bronchos were all business as they continued to outshoot the Colonials in the third period til Tony Panizzo put away a rebound to get the Bronchos to within one goal. 

UCO pulled its goaltender, Robert Mattison with 1:24 left in the third period for an extra attacker, but could not tie the game, dropping the game 4-3.

Saturday’s game started the same way for UCO as goaltender Justin Sgro had a Colonial shot roll past his glove giving Robert Morris the early lead.   That was all Sgro would allow as he shut the door the rest of the night.  “Justin was outstanding tonight, he allowed us to get back into the game and give us the opportunity to win”, head coach, Craig McAlister said.

Jason Tibodeau, a freshman that joined the team in January was the offensive star as he scored the game tying goal in the first period and the eventual game winner from a nice effort by AJ Alfrey to get him the puck in the slot giving the Bronchos a 2-1 lead that they never relinquished.  “Jason is still learning our systems, but fortunately for us, he is a fast learner”, McAlister said.  “Both games were played at a high level, but Saturday nights game showcased just how far this team has come from the beginning of the season.  We played with great energy and excitement and played exceptional on the defensive side of the puck, which is really the hardest part of the game to learn.” 

The coaching staff was especially pleased by not allowing a single powerplay goal by Robert Morris University all weekend.

The University of Central Oklahoma will be back in action this weekend when they take on the University of Missouri on both Friday and Saturday night at the Arctic Edge Ice Arena.