Rivalries are about more than just the game. They’re about the passion and dedication put in for another year of bragging rights.

The CMU hockey team faced Western State last weekend, a matchup with a history of rowdy fans and high tension.

“In hockey, sticking to our game plan is most key,” coach Ben Guska said. “We have to stay out of fights and not let the crowd get in our heads.”

The Mavs won both games 13-10 and 12-6 on Gunnison ice.

Friday night, the Mavericks went toe-to-toe with the Mountaineers. The Mavs won, 13-10. Saturday night was no different as the Mavs picked another win, 12-6, extending their win streak to three.

“We were all pretty psyched to go back out there and play Western again because they’re our biggest rival,” forward Eric Knickerbocker said. “We love to take those guys in the boards and get the big hits.”

Knickerbocker led the team in penalty minutes. Ten Mavericks scored goals on the weekend.

“We started getting our heads set for Western about a week or two early to ensure that we were ready for game day,” Knickerbocker said.

Three Maverick freshmen were able to score five goals this weekend — Chris Buck, Phillip Flink, and Cole Sweeny. Charlie Barnam was also able to put four in the net. Caleb Thomas, Scott Kanas, Jason Meiring, Matt Meiring, Josh Flatty, and Grayson Hussey all scored one goal each. Netminder Trevor Roffe picked up his second win of the season in game one. Freshman Zack Green won his first game and had a shutout third period in game two.