Battered by injury and sickness, the Crested Butte hockey team opened the season 0-2 at a home tournament on Nov. 22 and 23. The Titans faced brutal early-season tests against heavyhitter Standley Lake High School and Front Range-based Colorado Academy. Despite the back-to-back defeats, Head Coach Joey Otsuka is confident the Titans will recover over the Thanksgiving break, and return strong in the opening league games.“It was a weekend where we have to look deeper than the score,” Otsuka said. “I was really impressed with how we played, considering a handful of injuries. It’s frustrating for the players, but I’m thankful for the break so we can put this behind us and move forward.”The Titans started the season on the back foot. The Blue Mesa Reservoir middle bridge closures prevented the boys from traveling to Grand Junction during the off season, making ice time a luxury. Additionally, injuries to Matej Voldan, Jake White and Cobin O’Connor, and a case of the coughs led to tricky opening defeats over the weekend.Still, Crested Butte impressed in the first period against the Standley Lake Gators. On Nov. 22, Senior Grady Buckhanan opened the scoring with an unassisted, short-handed goal to take an early lead. The Gunnison High School senior and star football running back will be crucial for the Titans success in front of goal this winter.With six minutes remaining in the second period, the Titans doubled their lead through senior Carson Zummach. Buckhanan notched his first assist of the season, and found Zummach — the fifth-place state golfer — in front of goal, who extended the lead 2-0. The early sucker punch from Crested Butte spurred a Gator comeback. The away side battled back with one goal in the second, and four goals in the third to win 5-2.The Titans sprung back into action the following morning, but fell 7-0 to Colorado Academy. The Mustangs out shot Crested Butte 47-11 across three periods, and took advantage of the power play. The Titans will return to the Jorgensen Ice Rink on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. to face off against the Aspen Skiers in the first league matchup of the season. (Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@gunnisontimes.com.)
Battered by injury and sickness, the Crested Butte hockey team opened the season 0-2 at a home tournament on Nov. 22 and 23. The Titans faced brutal early-season tests against heavyhitter Standley Lake High School and Front Range-based Colorado Academy.
Despite the back-to-back defeats, Head Coach Joey Otsuka is confident the Titans will recover over the Thanksgiving break, and return strong in the opening league games.
“It was a weekend where we have to look deeper than the score,” Otsuka said. “I was really impressed with how we played, considering a handful of injuries. It’s frustrating for the players, but I’m thankful for the break so we can put this behind us and move forward.”
The Titans started the season on the back foot. The Blue Mesa Reservoir middle bridge closures prevented the boys from traveling to Grand Junction during the off season, making ice time a luxury. Additionally, injuries to Matej Voldan, Jake White and Cobin O’Connor, and a case of the coughs led to tricky opening defeats over the weekend.
Still, Crested Butte impressed in the first period against the Standley Lake Gators. On Nov. 22, Senior Grady Buckhanan opened the scoring with an unassisted, short-handed goal to take an early lead. The Gunnison High School senior and star football running back will be crucial for the Titans success in front of goal this winter.
With six minutes remaining in the second period, the Titans doubled their lead through senior Carson Zummach. Buckhanan notched his first assist of the season, and found Zummach — the fifth-place state golfer — in front of goal, who extended the lead 2-0.
The early sucker punch from Crested Butte spurred a Gator comeback. The away side battled back with one goal in the second, and four goals in the third to win 5-2.
The Titans sprung back into action the following morning, but fell 7-0 to Colorado Academy. The Mustangs out shot Crested Butte 47-11 across three periods, and took advantage of the power play.
The Titans will return to the Jorgensen Ice Rink on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. to face off against the Aspen Skiers in the first league matchup of the season.
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@gunnisontimes.com.)
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