By: Kellen Gormley
Springfield, Mo. (Nov. 14-16, 2025) The Colorado School of Mines Men's Club Ice Hockey team performed exceptionally this past weekend, winning the Route 66 Showcase despite competing with a short bench of just 14 skaters across three games in three days. Mines finished the tournament with a 2–1 record, highlighted by a signature win over a nationally ranked opponent to clinch the overall championship.
Mines 2, Missouri State 0 – Friday, Nov. 14
Mines opened the showcase with a statement victory, shutting out host Missouri State University 2–0.
After a tight first period, Mines broke through early in the second when Nathan Cote buried a power-play goal from Brady Sorrentino. Later in the frame, Ripken Renner scored off a feed from Preston Pifer to double the lead.
Goaltender Gage Oyler delivered a stellar performance, turning aside all 26 shots he faced.
Arkansas 4, Mines 2 – Saturday, Nov. 15
In Saturday's matchup, Mines fell 4–2 to Arkansas despite sustained offensive pressure.
Benjamin Lombardi scored both Oredigger goals — the first on a power play assisted by Sorrentino and Cote, and the second in the third period with helpers from Sorrentino and Ripken Renner.
Mines peppered Arkansas with 47 shots, but a late push wasn't enough to close the gap.
Mines 5, #6 Nebraska–Omaha 2 – Sunday, Nov. 16
Mines closed out the weekend with a signature victory, defeating nationally ranked No. 6 Nebraska–Omaha 5–2 to claim the Route 66 Showcase title.
Ripken Renner opened the scoring late in the first period, followed moments later by a power-play goal from Scott Macdonald assisted by Renner.
In the second period, Preston Pifer added to the lead with a goal set up by Jacob Fisher. Mines sealed the win in the third with another Macdonald power-play marker — assisted by Nicholas Lombardi and Sorrentino — before Renner added his second goal of the game off a feed from Macdonald.
Gage Oyler anchored the victory with a strong 35-save performance.
Short Bench, Big Statement: Mines Wins the Tournament
Competing with only 14 skaters all weekend, Mines relied on discipline, endurance, and team-wide contributions to capture the 2025 Route 66 Showcase Championship. With two commanding wins — including an upset over a top-10 opponent — the Orediggers return to Golden with major momentum before a major home series against Colorado Mesa University this upcoming weekend.
Route 66 Showcase
Missouri State University
 |
Springfield, MO |
W, 2-0 |
|
| Shots on Goal |
1 |
2 |
3 |
T |
| M3CSM |
9 |
7 |
5 |
21 |
| M3MoS |
7 |
7 |
12 |
26 |
|
PP |
PIM |
PTS |
| M3CSM |
1 / 1 |
10 min / 5 in |
4 |
| M3MoS |
0 / 5 |
2 min / 1 in |
0 |
|
Scoring
Goaltenders
| MD3 COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES |
TOI |
SV/SH |
|
|
| Gage Oyler (W) |
60:00 |
26/26 |
|
|
|
University of Arkansas
 |
Springfield, MO |
L, 2-4 |
|
| Shots on Goal |
1 |
2 |
3 |
T |
| M3Ark |
19 |
8 |
7 |
34 |
| M3CSM |
7 |
17 |
23 |
47 |
|
PP |
PIM |
PTS |
| M3Ark |
1 / 4 |
18 min / 9 in |
8 |
| M3CSM |
1 / 7 |
22 min / 7 in |
6 |
|
Scoring
Goaltenders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| MD3 COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES |
TOI |
SV/SH |
ON |
OFF |
| Gage Oyler (L) |
60:00 |
30/33 |
|
|
|
University of Nebraska at Omaha
 |
Springfield, MO |
W, 5-2 |
|
| Shots on Goal |
1 |
2 |
3 |
T |
| M3CSM |
21 |
10 |
8 |
39 |
| M3UNO |
9 |
10 |
18 |
37 |
|
PP |
PIM |
PTS |
| M3CSM |
2 / 10 |
50 min / 8 in |
10 |
| M3UNO |
0 / 6 |
56 min / 16 in |
2 |
|
Scoring
Goaltenders
| MD3 COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES |
TOI |
SV/SH |
|
|
| Gage Oyler (W) |
60:00 |
35/37 |
|
|
|
