The Bronchos traveled to Colorado to start their campaign of defending their WCHL Championship this past weekend and faced the Colorado State Rams. UCO swept the Rams over the weekend and also faced another WCHL opponent, UNLV in an unscripted, previously unscheduled match up.
Friday evening the Bronchos faced the Rams in a packed, and hostile arena. The crowd made sure to make their presence known throughout the game, but UCO would not waver and came out on top in this high scoring affair 7-4. Vitali Mikhailov would get the scoring started in the first period with an assist from defenseman JC Dubecky. Austin Simpson would extend the lead 2-0 before heading into the first intermission. Mikhailov would come out of the intermission and add to his total for the evening scoring yet again first in the second period. But Colorado State would begin to answer as Max Kleiner would put the Rams on the board. However, Vito Mikhailov would score his third goal of the game and his first hat trick of the season just minutes after the Rams were on the board. That celebration was short lived as Colorado State would score quickly making the score 2-4 heading into the final intermission. UCO’s Austin Simpson extended the Broncho’s lead early in the third period with the assist from Sam Sykes. The Rams would answer quickly from Zachary Podlesh to continue to close the gap. However, JC Dubecky and Vitali Mikhailov would finish out the scoring after another score from the Rams to close out the game Friday night, 7-4.
Saturday night’s game was a defensive battle that ended up scoreless in the first period. Sam Sykes would score the first goal of the contest just over a minute into the second period. Colorado State’s, Anthony Colagrosso would tie the game heading into the final period. The Bronchos would score 3 more times from Sam Sykes, Vitali Mikhailov, and Zach Guerra to lead the Bronchos to their second victory in as many days.
Sunday the Cho’s faced off against WCHL rival UNLV in an unscripted, previously unscheduled matchup in Denver Colorado. Both teams were in the area and were able to put all the puzzle pieces together to make it happen. The Bronchos fell short 5-2 in the game. The Bronchos head home to play Midland University at the Broncho Barn October 7th and 8th. Puck drop is at 7:45pm. Tickets are still available from the website or you can purchase them at the door.