UCO Sweeps Saint Louis to capture 1st Road Victories

By Rocky Wiles

The University of Central Oklahoma defeated Saint Louis University 7-1 Friday and 4-1 Saturday to complete the sweep of the Bilikens.

It was a weekend of firsts for the new team.  First road victories as well as the first ACHA Division 1 wins for the Bronchos.  “I’m proud of our team and the way they continue to battle game in and game out”,  head coach Craig McAlister said.  “We are a very young freshman dominated team that is learning each and every weekend series”.

In Friday nights game, Jacobs, Block and Hirsch scored the first three goals in the first period and never looked back.  Robbie Deubel notched two goals in the second period  and Kyle Hirsch got his second of the night in the third with Brian Thompson finishing the scoring.  Rob Mattison was in the net for the 7-1 victory and squashed several Biliken chances as the Bronchos outshot Saint Louis 43-27.

Saturdays game started much like the previous game with UCO finding the net 4 times in the first period.  Robbie Deubel continued his point barrage by tallying two  more goals and Tony Panizzo and Sean Leamy adding one each of their own.  Saint Louis was able to content on their Powerplay but was shut down the rest of the way by Broncho goaltender, Justin Sgro. 

The second and third periods were scoreless but the Bronchos kept up the pace outshooting the Bilikens 56-21.

“It is never easy to go on the road, let alone go into a Central States Collegiate Hockey League member school and sweep them”, McAlister said.

With the pair of victories, the UCO record now stands at 8-4-1.  The Broncho losses have all come against top 10 ranked teams in the nation, including current #1 Illinois. 

The Bronchos must go on the road again to Minot State over the Thanksgiving holidays for their next 3 games