In a big-time matchup between two nationally ranked teams, the University of Central Oklahoma came out on the winning end this weekend. The 12-ranked Bronchos took on the 22-ranked Robert Morris College Eagles in a two-game series this past Friday and Saturday night. The Bronchos won 6-3 on Friday and 7-2 on Saturday.

In the first game, it seemed to be everything a ranked match-up should be with physical play and back and forward scoring for the first two and a half periods. The game remained close through two periods. Team captain AJ Alfrey got the scoring started for the Bronchos, with a game-tying goal in the first period to put the score at 1-1. Alfrey would then score again in the second, and the score would remain tight with the Eagles on top 3-2.

However, Brent Block scored the game-tying goal towards the end of the second and the Bronchos did not look back from there. UCO came out in the third, firing on all cylinders and scored three more unanswered goals, two from Jacob Roadhouse and one from Shawn Steggles, to close out the game at 6-3.

The Saturday night game was less of a nail biter, with UCO taking an early lead and running with it. With 16:24 left in the first period, less than four minutes into the game, Brent Block would get his second goal of the series.

The Eagles answered with a goal of their own less than a minute later. The game stayed tied until Jonathan Cannizzo scored the go-ahead goal with 3:59 left in the period. That is when UCO opened the flood gates and scored three unanswered goals. Jacob Roadhouse scored with 19:40 left in the second period, Mike Haszto scored with 11:09 left and Mike Glowa scored with 8:11 left in the period.

With the score standing at 5-2 to begin the third period of play, following a Robert Morris score late in the second, the Bronchos continued their hot streak. Derek Szecsodi scored with 6:48 left in the final period and Erik Jansen rounded out the scoring with 5:31 left in the game. The Bronchos went on to sweep the series by a combined score of 13-5.

When asked who the player of the series was for the Bronchos, UCO head coach Craig McAlister said although the two games were more team wins than anything else, Jacob Roadhouse was definitely a factor.

“You probably got to pick Roadhouse as being the number one guy this weekend, because he put the puck in the net.” McAlister said after Saturday night’s win. “He did a wonderful job and I hope he can continue that because he is on a heck of a streak.”

This marks the second sweep in two weeks for the Bronchos and it comes against a very good Robert Morris team. McAlister said after the game that it was a huge couple of victories for the Bronchos.

“I think this was a must win,” said McAlister. “We had to get some momentum. Especially since the last two games we played in [Division one] were against Lindenwood, and Lindenwood is a really tough opponent.”

“So we have gotten on a winning streak and I told [the team] this is when our season truly begins. Because here we are on our regular schedule and we faced these guys this weekend and we had to have them so we can have momentum when we go up to Youngstown.”

The Bronchos are headed to Youngstown, Ohio this weekend to participate in the ACHA Showcase.

“This was important. We needed to get on a roll right now, and it was vital for us to get these two under our belt and do well. I thought we dominated at times, so that really helps us. I think that solidifies part of our rankings, and rankings come out again this week.”

The national rankings will be released on October 9, as the Bronchos look to break into the top ten for the second time in their four year existence. UCO travels to Youngstown, Ohio to participate in the 2009 ACHA Showcase. UCO will face three tough teams in Youngstown State, Duquesne and Rhode Island.