By Brittany Ochtinsky

ROCHESTER — It’s easy to look at the University at Buffalo’s stats and think that Oakland University would have steamrolled the Bulls last weekend. 

But looks can be deceiving. 

With a 5-17 record, a leading scorer who has fewer points (14) than Brent Cooper has goals (16), three goalies who average giving up four to five goals a game and a few double-digit losses, the Golden Grizzlies might have taken for granted this seemingly weak opponent.

But the Bulls proved to be a team that showed up big when they needed it and although Oakland (17-7-1) completed the weekend sweep with a 5-2 victory Friday and a 2-0 win Saturday, it was no easy going.

Chris Leja and Brent Cooper gave the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead in the second period in Friday’s contest, but Buffalo’s John Kulpa cut that lead in half early in the third, ruining OU goalie Andrew Hansen’s bid at a second consecutive shutout.

John Parrish and Tony Yearego created some breathing room for Oakland, but the Bulls were able to capitalize on a two-man advantage. 

With Dennis Capa already serving a minor penalty, Yearego was assessed a delay of game call when he knocked over his own net. On the penalty kill, Hansen was screened by his own defenseman, 6-foot-7-inch Todd Orlando, and Buffalo’s Matthew Kiefer slid the puck past Hansen.

Jesse Worrell added an insurance goal for Oakland with 25 seconds left in the game. Hansen made 15 saves in the win, while the Grizzlies hammered 60 shots at Buffalo’s Patrick Jones.

Coming off the previous w

eekend’s series in Arizona with a raucous crowd, the intensity level was lacking at the Onyx. Playing in front of one of the smallest crowds this season, head coach Sean Hogan believes that it had an effect on his team’s performance.

“It was kind of a dead building tonight and the guys played dead themselves,” said Hogan. “Crowds have huge effects on teams and we need to do a better job of creating our own momentum and excitement.”

Buffalo continued the pressure Saturday night by taking away quality shots from Oakland. Through the first two periods, in which the game remained scoreless, the Grizzlies best attempt by Cooper was stoned by Chris Holtz in the second.

Cooper got his revenge in the third, when he broke through the scoreless stalemate, after 40 minutes and 53 seconds, with a power play goal. 

But the game was far from over, as the Grizzlies had to outlast a 4 on 4 situation and kill off two penalties, including a crucial one in the final 2:23, when the Bulls pulled their goalie for an extra attacker in hopes of evening the score.

However, Steve Piccoli’s wrist shot hit the empty net as the buzzer sounded and the referees deemed it good to give Oakland the 2-0 win.

“The defense played stellar and the goaltending was outstanding,” Piccoli said. “We thought coming in here, we were going to blow Buffalo out, but they were actually a hard-working team.”

Hogan opted to play Andrew Stewart in net Saturday night. Steward stopped all 17 shots, collecting his first career shutout, the second for Oakland in the last three games.

“It feels absolutely amazing. It’s been a long time coming. I’ve been in the system for three years and now I’ve finally got a puck,” said Stewart, proudly displaying his game-winning puck.

 

“I don’t get a lot of playing time, so I make sure every game counts. It’s such an honor to be here right now and get this puck.”