This past weekend Mines Ice Hockey played their home opener against D2 Colorado State University. CSU, being a division above the Orediggers, came in thinking they were going to walk all over the home team, but their hopes were spoiled with the Orediggers coming out victorious both games on the doccet, 3-2 and 4-2 respectively.
On Fridays game, CSU started out with two quick goals in the first period building an early lead of 2-0, but after those early goals, netminder Gage Oyler was a brick wall for the rest of the game. Before the period ended, Mines brought it within one on a power play goal by Brady Sorrentino, the first of his Mines career. Mines came out hot in the second period with a goal by Jordan Larese 14 seconds into the frame, tying the game 2-2. Mines took the lead on a shorthanded goal by Ripken Renner midway through the second period, never relinquishing that lead for the rest of the game. 
Saturday was a much different game, as Mines came out quick with Brady Sorrentino scoring within the first 5 minutes to put a lead on the board and would carry that lead into the second period. CSU would tie the game up about halfway through the second period on an unfortunate bounce off of the crossbar. Mines regained the lead less than 3 minutes later off of a goal from Nick Lombardi, his first after missing a full season from a knee injury. Heading into the third period, CSU would re-tie the game on another unfortunate bounce off of a defenseman's stick. But again Mines took back the lead less than 30 seconds later with a rebound goal from Ben Lombardi. Behind some great goal tending from Dylan Eldridge, and an empty net insurance goal from Jake Fisher, Mines would win 4-2.
The Orediggers look to cary their momentum when they start conference play in two weeks against Colorado College on 10/11.