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BOULDER, Colo. -

On the ice, the University of Colorado has a great tradition. Banners hang from the rafters of the CU Ice Arena at the Recreation Center for good reason.

This week, another Buffs hockey team looks to bring another national title home to Boulder.

While CU's "varsity" team -- playing in Division II of the American Collegiate Hockey Association -- has ridden a rollercoaster on the way to a national tournament bid, the junior varsity squad, competing in Division III, has gelled into an offensive juggernaut en route to the ACHA National Championship in Rochester, NY.

"So far this year, we've only lost to one Division III team," first-year head coach Jon Pfieff said. "The team's really earned the berth to nationals."

CU went 16-4-1; three losses were to Colorado-based teams in Division II, and the lone tie was to Division II Northern Colorado, which is going to that division's national championship.

Though this year's team may not have repeated the undefeated Division III national championship that CU won in 2005, after struggles last year the Buffs have come together, mixing veteran leadership with youthful enthusiasm -- and a potent offense.

"The team has really good chemistry. Everyone gets along really well," senior captain and defenseman Matt Casinelli said. "We're not about all the garbage."

Casinelli has partnered his steady play at the defensive end with an unofficial player-coaching role, helping teach the team's defensemen.

"Having a lot of rookies and what not, sometimes it's hard to get everybody's head on straight and on the same page," senior goalie Andrew Layne said. "We really stepped it up a lot."

Pfieff praised Layne, saying the senior has "stood on his head" all year between the pipes.

While the veterans take care of the defense, underclassmen have been leading the attack.

"We have a line that's bar none one of the best in the region," Pfieff said of the line featuring sophomore center Scott Seale and freshmen wingers Alex Lencioni and Ryan Donato. "They've put up incredible numbers so far this year as a unit."

CU has averaged a staggering 7.76 goals per-game this year, with that top line accounting for 44 goals this season.

"I don't have to look, I know where they are," Seale said of playing with Lencioni and Donato. "If I don't know where they are I know where they're going."

Players pointed to a weekend series in Flagstaff, Ariz., against Northern Arizona as a turning point in the season.

"We started realizing that we had the potential to go to nationals when we played against NAU," Casinelli said. "We beat them back-to-back at their own place."

Layne agreed: "Those games against NAU really made me think we could go all the way."

Play at nationals in Rochester for CU begins at 11 a.m. MST Wednesday against Farmingdale State from Long Island, N.Y., and the Buffs like their chances.

"Honestly, we've heard from numerous teams that they expect us having a good shot," Pfieff said.

Seale thinks that if CU shows up hungry, the team will have a great chance.

"It's going to be a lot of fun, I think we could make some noise," Seale said. "I think it's going to be the best (competition) we've seen. I don't think we can take a game off."