Colorado Mesa University’s hockey team faced off against the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colo. this past weekend on Friday and Saturday.
The Mavericks started the season hot against Utah Valley State, but had their first test on the road against the Orediggers.
The Mavs had a bit of a rough start, ending their first game of the weekend on Friday with a 3-3 tie. A rather unsatisfying way to start the weekend.
Head coach Tim Winegard has been the coach since the program started and knows what this team is capable of.
“We didn’t bring our best game,” Winegard said. “We did not play up to our full potential and certainly not up to our skill level.”
CMU has not beaten Mines since Sept. 10 of last year and since then has lost consecutive games.
Things turned around on Saturday night’s game when the Mavericks overcame Colorado Mines 5-3. They came out stronger and played a much better game overall than the previous night.
The third period was not the best for the Mavs, but the team played really well during the first two periods, which made up for the third period. Regardless, it was a great turnaround for the Mavs compared to Friday night’s game.
“Our first game on Friday was tough,” Winegard said. “It felt like we didn’t have our legs under us and we weren’t playing our usual game, which is why it ended in a tie.”
Junior Hunter Schoepflin has been with the team for multiple years and has seen it grow into the successful program it is today.
“Saturday we came back strong, had our legs under us and played our game which ended in a victory,” Schoepflin said.
The team, coach and fans are all proud of the Mavericks for stepping up and coming back on Saturday night ready to dominate.
The three goals on Friday were scored by Maxwell Cavanaugh, Jack Michael and Dalton Klein.
On Saturday, Dalton Kline scored two goals, Antonio Falcon scored one goal and had two assists, Gage Sealey scored one goal, and team captain Chase Engdahl scored one goal and had two assists.
CMU will continue their road trip, but not for another week, when they take on Air Force.
The Mavericks play the Falcons on Sept. 29 at 5:30 p.m. at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.
