Colorado College has scored only two goals in each of its past three games. At Michigan Tech last weekend, the Tigers were limited to four goals in a weekend for the first time this season.
Michigan Tech and Air Force, which the Tigers beat 2-1 Jan. 19, are very defensive-minded, meaning they protect the slot and area in front of the crease above all else. Michigan Tech is also one of the more physical teams CC has played, featuring a little more of an old-school clutch-and-grab style. Because of Michigan Tech's discipline, though, the Huskies managed to avoid penalties. And thanks to scoring first both nights, Michigan Tech could afford to play an extremely defensive style.
CC players are wary of a second-half slide, especially with only a five-point lead over streaking North Dakota and a tenuous seven-point lead over third-place Denver, which has played four fewer games -- so too, it seems, are the coaches. Several drills in Wednesday's practice centered on getting the puck to the net, including 1-on-1s to goal, in which the players had to fight past another player to get a shot on net.
Against Clarkson this weekend, an Eastern College Athletic Conference team which likely will resort to a defensive style to slow CC's fast-paced transition game on the Olympic sheet (the Golden Knights' first game on an Olympic sheet this season), the Tigers will try some brand-new groupings.
From Wednesday's practice:
Sweatt--Rau--Testwuide
McCulloch--Vlassopoulos--Kilpatrick
Thauwald--Johnson--Walsky
DeBoer--McMillin--Schultz
Overman--Quilico
As you can see, McCulloch is expected to be back in the lineup after a four-game hiatus.
On Clarkson
You might be wondering about Clarkson. Located in Potsdam, N.Y., Clarkson has an enrollment of 3,000 (as compared with CC's ~1,950). The Golden Knights made the NCAA Tournament last season after winning the ECAC tournament and lead the ECAC standings this season. Clarkson and CC have played eight times and the Tigers own a 7-0-1 record. The most significant meeting between the schools was in 1957, the year of CC's last national championship, when CC defeated Clarkson to advance to the NCAA title game against Michigan. The past four meetings have been in regular-season series, with the most recent in October 2003. The Tigers met Clarkson in the 1997 and 1998 NCAA Tournaments.
Tiger Tracks
At 29 years old, Toby Petersen won the speed skating competition at the 2008 AHL All-Star Game with the fastest time in a decade. Petersen also scored on the first penalty shot in All-Star Game history...Brett Sterling and Brian Salcido also scored for Team USA in the All-Star Game...James Brannigan had a goal for the Augusta Lynx in an 8-6 win over the Gwinnett Gladiators (ECHL)...Recruit Nick Dineen had a goal Tuesday in the USHL All-Star Game...Rookie Colin Stuart got his second call-up this week to the Atlanta Thrashers...Even though he was demoted from the Calgary Flames in favor of goaltender Curtis Joseph, the other Curtis -- Curtis "CuMac" McElhinney -- is the "closest" to being NHL ready, Flames' Western pro scout Ron Sutter said.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
No. 3 CC 2, Michigan Tech 3 (end of 2nd)
The Tigers got goals to start and end the period, but Michigan Tech scored one in the middle to keep a one-goal lead heading into the third.
CC defenseman Nate Prosser's goal just more than two minutes into the period was a wrist shot from the right half-wall.
The goal by Michigan Tech's Tyler Shelast happened just as the Huskies' power play expired and CC left wing Addison DeBoer was hustling back into the Tigers' defensive zone. The penalty kill got overextended and Shelast was able to score a redirect goal from Bachman's doorstep.
With less than three minutes left in the period, goaltender Rob Nolan made a clutch save with his right arm on a shot from Jimmy Kilpatrick from the end line. Nolan's defenseman collapsed into the crease to keep the puck from being poked into the goal.
Scoreless on their first two power plays, the Tigers converted on their third with only 34 seconds left in the period. Kilpatrick earned his 100th career point when he got the puck in the left circle, took a moment to pick his spot and unleashed a wrist shot that beat Nolan gloveside. Not a bad way to join the Century Club, Jimmy.
Altogether, it was a much better period for the Tigers. But will it be enough?
CC defenseman Nate Prosser's goal just more than two minutes into the period was a wrist shot from the right half-wall.
The goal by Michigan Tech's Tyler Shelast happened just as the Huskies' power play expired and CC left wing Addison DeBoer was hustling back into the Tigers' defensive zone. The penalty kill got overextended and Shelast was able to score a redirect goal from Bachman's doorstep.
With less than three minutes left in the period, goaltender Rob Nolan made a clutch save with his right arm on a shot from Jimmy Kilpatrick from the end line. Nolan's defenseman collapsed into the crease to keep the puck from being poked into the goal.
Scoreless on their first two power plays, the Tigers converted on their third with only 34 seconds left in the period. Kilpatrick earned his 100th career point when he got the puck in the left circle, took a moment to pick his spot and unleashed a wrist shot that beat Nolan gloveside. Not a bad way to join the Century Club, Jimmy.
Altogether, it was a much better period for the Tigers. But will it be enough?
No. 3 CC 0, Michigan Tech 2 (end of 1st)
Welp, that was not the start CC was looking for. Just 78 seconds into the game, Michigan Tech's Jordan Foote redirected a pass from Bennett Royer off his skate and past goaltender Richard Bachman's right foot. CC failed to convert on two power plays. Then, at 13:56, Michigan Tech converted on its only power play of the period. Defenseman Drew Dobson's diagonal pass from the top of the right circle met center Peter Rouleau in stride. With Bachman all to himself, Rouleau backhanded the puck into the net to make the score 2-0.
Three things are costing CC right now:
1. Possession. The Tigers haven't connected more than two passes all game. Part of it is that the Huskies are breaking up passes with their sticks and bodies. Part of it is that CC's sticks look a little stiff.
2. Breakdowns. Whereas CC hasn't had but one odd-man rush, Michigan Tech has been doing a nice job of generating numbers-up offense out of the neutral zone.
3. Tempo. It belongs to Michigan Tech right now.
Three things are costing CC right now:
1. Possession. The Tigers haven't connected more than two passes all game. Part of it is that the Huskies are breaking up passes with their sticks and bodies. Part of it is that CC's sticks look a little stiff.
2. Breakdowns. Whereas CC hasn't had but one odd-man rush, Michigan Tech has been doing a nice job of generating numbers-up offense out of the neutral zone.
3. Tempo. It belongs to Michigan Tech right now.
Game day: No.3 CC vs. Michigan Tech
As you all know, being from North Carolina, I love to borrow basketball terminology ...
So here goes: the No. 1 key for the Tigers tonight is their ability to take the puck to the paint and be the first to 50-50 pucks, like rebounds. Stephen Schultz's goal Friday came when the puck bounced off of a Michigan Tech defenseman's shin pad. Mike Testwuide's game-tying goal came on a deflection in the crease. CC needs to create more of those opportunities tonight.
Lines:
Colorado College
10 Thauwald--14 Rau--23 Kilpatrick
21 Sweatt--19 Vlassopoulos--25 Testwuide
5 DeBoer--22 Walsky--28 Schultz
28 Overman--17 Johnson--9 McMillin
8 Hillen--15 Prosser
7 Fredheim--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery
30 Bachman
31 O'Connell
Michigan Tech
9 Gwilliam--14 Rouleau--23 Shelast
11 Foote--16 Royer--19 Kerr
28 Kitti--13 Angelow--21 Bunger
22 Baker--18 Gagne--25 Kivisto
12 Kinrade--10 Schwarz
4 Malekoff--5 Dobson
26 Cousens--8 VanWagner
37 Nolan
29 Teslak
33 Hachey
So here goes: the No. 1 key for the Tigers tonight is their ability to take the puck to the paint and be the first to 50-50 pucks, like rebounds. Stephen Schultz's goal Friday came when the puck bounced off of a Michigan Tech defenseman's shin pad. Mike Testwuide's game-tying goal came on a deflection in the crease. CC needs to create more of those opportunities tonight.
Lines:
Colorado College
10 Thauwald--14 Rau--23 Kilpatrick
21 Sweatt--19 Vlassopoulos--25 Testwuide
5 DeBoer--22 Walsky--28 Schultz
28 Overman--17 Johnson--9 McMillin
8 Hillen--15 Prosser
7 Fredheim--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery
30 Bachman
31 O'Connell
Michigan Tech
9 Gwilliam--14 Rouleau--23 Shelast
11 Foote--16 Royer--19 Kerr
28 Kitti--13 Angelow--21 Bunger
22 Baker--18 Gagne--25 Kivisto
12 Kinrade--10 Schwarz
4 Malekoff--5 Dobson
26 Cousens--8 VanWagner
37 Nolan
29 Teslak
33 Hachey
Shot Chart from Friday's game
We're still working on the overtime period, but you can get a peek at our new toy.
Friday, January 25, 2008
No. 3 CC 2, Michigan Tech 2 (OT, final)
Huskies' captain Jimmy Kerr scored at 4:01 of the third period, but CC tied it up with less than eight minutes to go in regulation when right wing Mike Testwuide knocked in a pass from the right half-wall by Andreas Vlassopoulos.
Three thoughts:
1. CC showed great urgency to get back into the game, but once the Tigers tied the score, it was all Huskies. You can hear that sentiment in audio clips from CC's Mike Testwuide and Michigan Tech's Jimmy Kerr on Tiger Den Saturday.
2. Again, goaltender Richard Bachman showed remarkable poise in net for CC. The freshman, who is now 15-3-1 in 19 games played, has allowed two or fewer goals in 15 of those outings. That's simply amazing. He said after the game that the second period, in which he had 16 saves, really helped him get in his rhythm. Coach Scott Owens said he thought he saw more and more confidence in Bachman as the game went on.
3. Right wing Stephen Schultz has scored in each of the past two games while CC's top line has been held scoreless.
Stats breakdown:
Shots: CC 30, MTU 33
Shot leaders: CC Jimmy Kilpatrick, 6; MTU Jimmy Kerr, 7
Power plays: CC 1-4 (8 shots), MTU 0-3 (7)
Faceoffs won: CC 38, MTU 30
CC faceoffs: Chad Rau 12/21; Andreas Vlassopoulos 8/16; Eric Walsky 5/8; Bill Sweatt 2/3; Brian McMillin 1/4; Scott Thauwald 0/1; Tyler Johnson 0/5
MTU faceoffs: Ryan Angelow13/24; Peter Rouleau 9/19; Alex Gagne 4/9; Bennett Royer 3/5; Jimmy Kerr 1/1.
Three thoughts:
1. CC showed great urgency to get back into the game, but once the Tigers tied the score, it was all Huskies. You can hear that sentiment in audio clips from CC's Mike Testwuide and Michigan Tech's Jimmy Kerr on Tiger Den Saturday.
2. Again, goaltender Richard Bachman showed remarkable poise in net for CC. The freshman, who is now 15-3-1 in 19 games played, has allowed two or fewer goals in 15 of those outings. That's simply amazing. He said after the game that the second period, in which he had 16 saves, really helped him get in his rhythm. Coach Scott Owens said he thought he saw more and more confidence in Bachman as the game went on.
3. Right wing Stephen Schultz has scored in each of the past two games while CC's top line has been held scoreless.
Stats breakdown:
Shots: CC 30, MTU 33
Shot leaders: CC Jimmy Kilpatrick, 6; MTU Jimmy Kerr, 7
Power plays: CC 1-4 (8 shots), MTU 0-3 (7)
Faceoffs won: CC 38, MTU 30
CC faceoffs: Chad Rau 12/21; Andreas Vlassopoulos 8/16; Eric Walsky 5/8; Bill Sweatt 2/3; Brian McMillin 1/4; Scott Thauwald 0/1; Tyler Johnson 0/5
MTU faceoffs: Ryan Angelow13/24; Peter Rouleau 9/19; Alex Gagne 4/9; Bennett Royer 3/5; Jimmy Kerr 1/1.
No. 3 CC 1, Michigan Tech 1 (end of 2nd)
Michigan Tech cranked it up in the second period, peppering goaltender Richard Bachman with 16 shots. Bachman made 16 saves, his best on a sequence starting with a shot from the top of the left circle by Malcolm Gwilliam. Bachman saved the left wing's shot with his blocker and then made an eyebrow-raising glove save on the rebound attempt from center Peter Rouleau.
CC had 12 shots in the second, its best opportunity at 8:13 of the period when defenseman Jake Gannon ripped a shot from the point. Left wing Scott Thauwald got a second chance on the rebound and center Chad Rau tried to go up and over goaltender Michael-Lee Teslak, but went into his chest instead.
Some other thoughts:
--The Huskies were better able to sustain pressure in CC's zone over the second half of the period. --The penalties piled up in the final two minutes while CC was on its second power play. Center Eric Walsky exchanged some blows with Michigan Tech left wing Jordan Baker.
--It's definitely a face-off between two of the nation's best goalies. Michigan Tech junior goaltender Michael-Lee Teslak ranks fourth in the country in GAA (1.72) and fourth in save percentage (.934). CC freshman goaltender Richard Bachman ranks second in GAA (1.58) and first in save percentage (.941).
CC had 12 shots in the second, its best opportunity at 8:13 of the period when defenseman Jake Gannon ripped a shot from the point. Left wing Scott Thauwald got a second chance on the rebound and center Chad Rau tried to go up and over goaltender Michael-Lee Teslak, but went into his chest instead.
Some other thoughts:
--The Huskies were better able to sustain pressure in CC's zone over the second half of the period. --The penalties piled up in the final two minutes while CC was on its second power play. Center Eric Walsky exchanged some blows with Michigan Tech left wing Jordan Baker.
--It's definitely a face-off between two of the nation's best goalies. Michigan Tech junior goaltender Michael-Lee Teslak ranks fourth in the country in GAA (1.72) and fourth in save percentage (.934). CC freshman goaltender Richard Bachman ranks second in GAA (1.58) and first in save percentage (.941).
No. 3 CC 1, Michigan Tech 1 (end of first)
A couple of observations:
1. This Michigan Tech team can really move. The first period clipped along at a wicked pace and neither team had an extended period of possession.
2. Colorado College has 10 shots on net after a period. In each of the Tigers' previous five outings against the Huskies -- a stretch in which CC is 1-3-1 -- they have mustered double-digit shots in only one period. It'll be interesting to see if they can sustain their effort over the course of the game.
3. I think the Huskies have magnets in their shin pads. They are shot-blocking machines. The Tigers aren't doing too badly in that area themselves, but need to work harder at getting their shots around Michigan Tech.
Faceoffs:
CC 6 of 16 (Vlassopoulos 3/7; Rau 2/5; Walsky 1/2; Sweatt 0/1; Johnson 0/1)
MTU 10 of 16 (Angelow 5/6; Rouleau 3/6; Gagne 1/2; Royer 1/2)
1. This Michigan Tech team can really move. The first period clipped along at a wicked pace and neither team had an extended period of possession.
2. Colorado College has 10 shots on net after a period. In each of the Tigers' previous five outings against the Huskies -- a stretch in which CC is 1-3-1 -- they have mustered double-digit shots in only one period. It'll be interesting to see if they can sustain their effort over the course of the game.
3. I think the Huskies have magnets in their shin pads. They are shot-blocking machines. The Tigers aren't doing too badly in that area themselves, but need to work harder at getting their shots around Michigan Tech.
Faceoffs:
CC 6 of 16 (Vlassopoulos 3/7; Rau 2/5; Walsky 1/2; Sweatt 0/1; Johnson 0/1)
MTU 10 of 16 (Angelow 5/6; Rouleau 3/6; Gagne 1/2; Royer 1/2)
No. 3 CC 1, Michigan Tech 1 (9:00 of the 1st period)
No. 3 CC 1, Michigan Tech 1 at 9:00 (1st period)
Center Ryan Angelow drew a penalty and wheeled into the slot. His shot beat goaltender Richard Bachman stick-side into the upper left corner.
No. 3 CC 1, Michigan Tech 0 at 6:27 (1st period)
Defenseman Kris Fredheim kept the puck in play in the offensive zone and passed into center Eric Walsky, whose shot went into a Michigan Tech defenseman. Right wing Stephen Schultz collected the rebound and his top-shelf shot from the slot beat goaltender Michael-Lee Teslak stick-side. Teslak didn't react, meaning he probably didn't see it with two of his own players screening him.
Center Ryan Angelow drew a penalty and wheeled into the slot. His shot beat goaltender Richard Bachman stick-side into the upper left corner.
No. 3 CC 1, Michigan Tech 0 at 6:27 (1st period)
Defenseman Kris Fredheim kept the puck in play in the offensive zone and passed into center Eric Walsky, whose shot went into a Michigan Tech defenseman. Right wing Stephen Schultz collected the rebound and his top-shelf shot from the slot beat goaltender Michael-Lee Teslak stick-side. Teslak didn't react, meaning he probably didn't see it with two of his own players screening him.
Greetings from the U.P.!
I'll be live-blogging from tonight's game in Houghton, Mich., where the sun came out today! That's momentous in a place that gets 20 feet of snow.
Game time is 5 p.m. MT. December's Lightning College Hockey Classic and October's series at New Hampshire are the only other times this season the Tigers have played in the Eastern Time Zone and they won't play in it again after this series.
Left wing Scott McCulloch didn't make the trip, as he is still recovering from a concussion.
Here are tonight's lines:
Colorado College
10 Thauwald--14 Rau--23 Kilpatrick
21 Sweatt--19 Vlassopoulos--25 Testwuide
5 DeBoer--22 Walsky--28 Schultz
18 Overman--17 Johnson--9 McMillin
8 Hillen--15 Prosser
7 Fredheim--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery
30 Bachman
31 O'Connell
Michigan Tech
9 Gwilliam--14 Rouleau--23 Shelast
11 Foote--16 Royer--19 Kerr
28 Kitti--13 Angelow--21 Bunger
22 Baker--18 Gagne--25 Kivisto
12 Kinrade--10 Schwarz
4 Malekoff--5 Dobson
26 Cousens--8 VanWagner
29 Teslak
37 Nolan
33 Hachey
Game time is 5 p.m. MT. December's Lightning College Hockey Classic and October's series at New Hampshire are the only other times this season the Tigers have played in the Eastern Time Zone and they won't play in it again after this series.
Left wing Scott McCulloch didn't make the trip, as he is still recovering from a concussion.
Here are tonight's lines:
Colorado College
10 Thauwald--14 Rau--23 Kilpatrick
21 Sweatt--19 Vlassopoulos--25 Testwuide
5 DeBoer--22 Walsky--28 Schultz
18 Overman--17 Johnson--9 McMillin
8 Hillen--15 Prosser
7 Fredheim--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery
30 Bachman
31 O'Connell
Michigan Tech
9 Gwilliam--14 Rouleau--23 Shelast
11 Foote--16 Royer--19 Kerr
28 Kitti--13 Angelow--21 Bunger
22 Baker--18 Gagne--25 Kivisto
12 Kinrade--10 Schwarz
4 Malekoff--5 Dobson
26 Cousens--8 VanWagner
29 Teslak
37 Nolan
33 Hachey
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Game day: No. 3 CC 2, Air Force 1 (final)
A rivalry? You decide.
- CC improved to 56-6-2 in 64 meetings against Air Force
- CC won its 25th game in a row against the Falcons and extended its unbeaten streak to 29-0-1 in last 30 games
- However, in the last two outings, the score has been CC 2, Air Force 1.
Keys to the game:
- CC went 2 of 5 on the power play.
- Air Force's Josh Schaffer was whistled for a high-sticking, contact to the head during a face-off about eight minutes into the second period, putting the Falcons down two men. The Tigers scored with three seconds left in the five-on-three to go up 2-0.
- CC right wing Mike Testwuide iced the puck after a face-off with 50.0 seconds left, but the clock only ticked off 1.7 seconds. Referee Brad Albers went to review the video and reset the clock to 37.5 seconds left. With the flurry the Falcons were creating before the buzzer went off--they got four shots in that final bit--that call ensured CC the win.
You may have missed new features on www2.gazette.com/tigerden:
- Post-game interviews
- Zoom-in quizzes on Jimmy Kilpatrick and Scott McCulloch
Game day: No. 3 CC vs. Air Force
Lines:
Colorado College
10 Thauwald--14 Rau--23 Kilpatrick
21 Sweatt--19 Vlassopoulos--25 Testwuide
5 DeBoer--22 Walsky--28 Schultz
18 Overman--17 Johnson--9 McMillin
8 Hillen--15 Prosser
7 Fredheim--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery
30 Bachman
31 O'Connell
1 O'Brien
Air Force
12 Fairchild--26 Hajner--13 Olson
11 Frider--24 Ehn--17 Burnett
20 Print--28 Schaffer--19 Phillipich
22 Page--8 Kozlak--15 Bertsch
7 Shiavone--18 Johnson
29 Nylander--14 Mayra
4 Flynn--3 Sellers
1 Volkening
37 Harper
Colorado College
10 Thauwald--14 Rau--23 Kilpatrick
21 Sweatt--19 Vlassopoulos--25 Testwuide
5 DeBoer--22 Walsky--28 Schultz
18 Overman--17 Johnson--9 McMillin
8 Hillen--15 Prosser
7 Fredheim--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery
30 Bachman
31 O'Connell
1 O'Brien
Air Force
12 Fairchild--26 Hajner--13 Olson
11 Frider--24 Ehn--17 Burnett
20 Print--28 Schaffer--19 Phillipich
22 Page--8 Kozlak--15 Bertsch
7 Shiavone--18 Johnson
29 Nylander--14 Mayra
4 Flynn--3 Sellers
1 Volkening
37 Harper
Friday, January 18, 2008
Game day: No. 3 CC vs. Bemidji State
Lines:
Colorado College
10 Thauwald--14 Rau--23 Kilpatrick
21 Sweatt--19 Vlassopoulos--5 DeBoer
28 Schultz--22 Walsky--25 Testwuide
12 Quilico--17 Johnson--9 McMillin
8 Hillen--15 Prosser
7 Fredheim--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery
31 O'Connell
30 Bachman
1 O'Brien
**Scratches: Scott McCulloch, Brett Wysopal, Matt Overman
Bemidji State
14 Scofield--8 Winter--28 Read
22 Jarvis--Pope--21 Marino
16 Billberg--26 Lehrke--17 Francis
11 Lowe--23 McKelvie--20 Moggach
7 Bostock--6 Weselowski
25 Deterding--5MacIntyre
9 Peluso--5 McManamin
1 Dalton
33 Climie
Colorado College
10 Thauwald--14 Rau--23 Kilpatrick
21 Sweatt--19 Vlassopoulos--5 DeBoer
28 Schultz--22 Walsky--25 Testwuide
12 Quilico--17 Johnson--9 McMillin
8 Hillen--15 Prosser
7 Fredheim--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery
31 O'Connell
30 Bachman
1 O'Brien
**Scratches: Scott McCulloch, Brett Wysopal, Matt Overman
Bemidji State
14 Scofield--8 Winter--28 Read
22 Jarvis--Pope--21 Marino
16 Billberg--26 Lehrke--17 Francis
11 Lowe--23 McKelvie--20 Moggach
7 Bostock--6 Weselowski
25 Deterding--5MacIntyre
9 Peluso--5 McManamin
1 Dalton
33 Climie
Thursday, January 17, 2008
I guess that's that...
Weigh in below. I would expect the coaches will address this in the offseason, especially if Wisconsin does not earn home-ice advantage or if Denver finishes in first place.
January 17, 2008/For Immediate Release
WCHA Issues Ruling on Letter of Protest
MADISON, Wis. – In response to the letter of protest filed with the Western Collegiate Hockey Association from the University of Wisconsin regarding the circumstances surrounding the Wisconsin vs Denver intercollegiate hockey game Friday, Jan. 11, Bill Hudson, WCHA Chair, and the member Faculty Athletic Representatives made the following decision:
After a review of both the NCAA Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations book and the WCHA Handbook, the above has confirmed Commissioner McLeod’s interpretation/decision and affirmed that it is not the prerogative of the Association to change the outcome of a game.
In the 2006-08 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations book, under Rule 6/Playing Rules, HR-81, SECTION 39: Protests are not recognized or allowed.
Further, under Rule 5/Officials and Officiating Systems, SECTION 3: The duties of the referee(s) are as follows:
under a. The referee(s) decision is final; there is no appeal.
In the WCHA Handbook, Code of Regulations:
1. Playing Rules
a. NCAA playing rules will govern play in all intercollegiate ice hockey games. Conferences and individual institutions are prohibited from modifying any playing rules except by permission of the NCAA Ice Hockey Rules Committee.
The WCHA earlier acknowledged the error that was made and regrets the circumstance. This decision is final and the matter is considered closed.
January 17, 2008/For Immediate Release
WCHA Issues Ruling on Letter of Protest
MADISON, Wis. – In response to the letter of protest filed with the Western Collegiate Hockey Association from the University of Wisconsin regarding the circumstances surrounding the Wisconsin vs Denver intercollegiate hockey game Friday, Jan. 11, Bill Hudson, WCHA Chair, and the member Faculty Athletic Representatives made the following decision:
After a review of both the NCAA Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations book and the WCHA Handbook, the above has confirmed Commissioner McLeod’s interpretation/decision and affirmed that it is not the prerogative of the Association to change the outcome of a game.
In the 2006-08 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations book, under Rule 6/Playing Rules, HR-81, SECTION 39: Protests are not recognized or allowed.
Further, under Rule 5/Officials and Officiating Systems, SECTION 3: The duties of the referee(s) are as follows:
under a. The referee(s) decision is final; there is no appeal.
In the WCHA Handbook, Code of Regulations:
1. Playing Rules
a. NCAA playing rules will govern play in all intercollegiate ice hockey games. Conferences and individual institutions are prohibited from modifying any playing rules except by permission of the NCAA Ice Hockey Rules Committee.
The WCHA earlier acknowledged the error that was made and regrets the circumstance. This decision is final and the matter is considered closed.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Wednesday Q&A
ZamboniDriver asks:
After admitting its mistake in the Friday DU-Wisconsin game, did the WCHA even consider playing the overtime period that should have been played--before the start of the Saturday DU-UW game?
My answer:
According to the excellent reporting of my colleagues in Madison--The Capital Times' Todd Milewski and the Wisconsin State Journal's Andy Baggot--it does not appear that the WCHA seriously considered playing an overtime before the start of Saturday's game.
In his blog, Milewski wrote that WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod "sounded concerned about setting a precedent that could be used by St. Cloud State officials, who were the victims of (referee Randy) Schmidt's error earlier this season."
Wisconsin has filed an appeal to the WCHA in hopes of recovering a point for the tie that should have been. If the appeal is successful, Denver's record would not be altered, Baggot wrote today, adding that McLeod did not expect that the ruling would be overturned.
If you missed it, a last-second goal by Wisconsin's Matthew Ford was disallowed by Schmidt, giving Denver a 3-2 win last Friday.
After admitting its mistake in the Friday DU-Wisconsin game, did the WCHA even consider playing the overtime period that should have been played--before the start of the Saturday DU-UW game?
My answer:
According to the excellent reporting of my colleagues in Madison--The Capital Times' Todd Milewski and the Wisconsin State Journal's Andy Baggot--it does not appear that the WCHA seriously considered playing an overtime before the start of Saturday's game.
In his blog, Milewski wrote that WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod "sounded concerned about setting a precedent that could be used by St. Cloud State officials, who were the victims of (referee Randy) Schmidt's error earlier this season."
Wisconsin has filed an appeal to the WCHA in hopes of recovering a point for the tie that should have been. If the appeal is successful, Denver's record would not be altered, Baggot wrote today, adding that McLeod did not expect that the ruling would be overturned.
If you missed it, a last-second goal by Wisconsin's Matthew Ford was disallowed by Schmidt, giving Denver a 3-2 win last Friday.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Monday Q&A
Here's a question from Jeff Y.:
Smack in the middle of the third period Friday, Alaska-Anchorage pulls the goalie while down 3 or 4 goals. Although I can't imagine why it was done, I love it! I've never seen such a thing before. Any insight?
My answer:
The Seawolves cut the score to 3-1 with six minutes to go in the second period Friday. CC left wing Scott McCulloch's power-play goal 1:12 into the third put a huge damper on any comeback hopes for Anchorage. But when the Seawolves got an offensive-zone faceoff with about eight minutes left, I think coach Dave Shyiak decided to quit playing it safe. If you remember, Anchorage was continually icing the puck because they had trouble dealing with CC's pressure, so offensive-zone faceoffs were rare. So, Shyiak pulled goaltender Jon Olthuis to create a 6-on-5. Anchorage won the faceoff, but lost possession two passes later and Anchroage's Shane Lovdahl had to make a diving block to keep CC at bay on the resulting rush. Shyiak put Olthuis back on during the next stoppage of play, which I believe was an icing call after Lovdahl saved the day.
Submit questions via comments (I'm working on that Civitarese interview) or e-mail (kate.crandall@gazette.com).
Smack in the middle of the third period Friday, Alaska-Anchorage pulls the goalie while down 3 or 4 goals. Although I can't imagine why it was done, I love it! I've never seen such a thing before. Any insight?
My answer:
The Seawolves cut the score to 3-1 with six minutes to go in the second period Friday. CC left wing Scott McCulloch's power-play goal 1:12 into the third put a huge damper on any comeback hopes for Anchorage. But when the Seawolves got an offensive-zone faceoff with about eight minutes left, I think coach Dave Shyiak decided to quit playing it safe. If you remember, Anchorage was continually icing the puck because they had trouble dealing with CC's pressure, so offensive-zone faceoffs were rare. So, Shyiak pulled goaltender Jon Olthuis to create a 6-on-5. Anchorage won the faceoff, but lost possession two passes later and Anchroage's Shane Lovdahl had to make a diving block to keep CC at bay on the resulting rush. Shyiak put Olthuis back on during the next stoppage of play, which I believe was an icing call after Lovdahl saved the day.
Submit questions via comments (I'm working on that Civitarese interview) or e-mail (kate.crandall@gazette.com).
A sign of things to come?
What if Canadian kids could represent their local university against American NCAA hockey teams?
Would that change the current dynamic between NCAA hockey and Canadian major-juniors?
Or are most Canadian hockey players more accustomed to and thus largely devoted to the idea of pursuing hockey via major-juniors?
Weigh in below or e-mail me at kate.crandall@gazette.com.
NCAA approves pilot program to allow Canadian schools in D-II
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — NCAA Division II delegates approved a pilot program Monday allowing Canadian schools to apply for membership as soon as June 1, which could lead to Canadians competing in some Division I sports.
The program was approved by a vote of 258-9 on the final day of the NCAA convention and takes effect immediately.
Details still must be worked out, but the concept is designed to allow Canadian schools to enter into the pilot program and explore membership. Schools that meet the June 1 application deadline could start the process of joining Division II as soon as the 2008-2009 academic year.
The program allows the NCAA to study any logistical challenges from competing outside the United States.
The University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University (located in Burnaby, B.C.) are among six Canadian schools that have discussed NCAA membership. Simon Fraser belonged to the NAIA for more than 30 years before its American competitors moved to NCAA’s Division II.
Some Canadian schools want to be able to award full athletic scholarships, which aren’t allowed at Canadian universities.
Would that change the current dynamic between NCAA hockey and Canadian major-juniors?
Or are most Canadian hockey players more accustomed to and thus largely devoted to the idea of pursuing hockey via major-juniors?
Weigh in below or e-mail me at kate.crandall@gazette.com.
NCAA approves pilot program to allow Canadian schools in D-II
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — NCAA Division II delegates approved a pilot program Monday allowing Canadian schools to apply for membership as soon as June 1, which could lead to Canadians competing in some Division I sports.
The program was approved by a vote of 258-9 on the final day of the NCAA convention and takes effect immediately.
Details still must be worked out, but the concept is designed to allow Canadian schools to enter into the pilot program and explore membership. Schools that meet the June 1 application deadline could start the process of joining Division II as soon as the 2008-2009 academic year.
The program allows the NCAA to study any logistical challenges from competing outside the United States.
The University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University (located in Burnaby, B.C.) are among six Canadian schools that have discussed NCAA membership. Simon Fraser belonged to the NAIA for more than 30 years before its American competitors moved to NCAA’s Division II.
Some Canadian schools want to be able to award full athletic scholarships, which aren’t allowed at Canadian universities.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Game day: No. 4 CC 5, Alaska-Anchorage 2 (final)
How it happened:
The Tigers got two shots in their first four shifts and then drifted off for the rest of the period, mustering just seven altogether and taking a 0-0 tie into the first intermission.
When both teams came out battling in the second period, CC rose to the challenge with another three-goal period, their fourth such period in the last 10 played. Right wing Jimmy Kilpatrick crossed the puck from the top of the left circle to center Chad Rau, who put his first attempt into goaltender Jon Olthuis but roofed the rebound. Midway through the period, center-turned-right wing Brian McMillin one-timed a rebound and Kilpatrick added a power-play goal less than two minutes later.
On a five-minute power-play less than two minutes into the third, the Tigers went up 4-0 when Bill Sweatt scored a power-play goal. Anchorage scored twice in the subsequent 16 minutes before pulling Olthuis. Kilpatrick blocked a last-ditch shot and Rau scooped it up and slammed into the empty net.
Fun stats:
--Kilpatrick has 99 career points and needs just one more to become the 70th member of CC's "Century Club" during the program's 70th anniversary season.
--Of Kilpatrick's 99 career points, 24 have come against Anchorage--24.2 percent.
--Rau ranks first among WCHA scoring leaders with 15 goals and nine assists (24 points) in league play.
--Rau is on a 15-game point-scoring streak and a six-game goal-scoring streak.
--Friday's quick goals--Kilpatrick scored at 12:41 of the second, eight seconds after Walsky's game-winner at 12:33--rank fourth place among the fastest two goals in CC hockey history.
Here are the three quickest:
1. Feb. 1, 1952 (2 seconds) vs. Michigan Tech
2. Nov. 17, 2006 (5 seconds) vs. Minnesota State
3. Nov. 18, 1966 (6 seconds) vs. Lake Forest College
The Tigers got two shots in their first four shifts and then drifted off for the rest of the period, mustering just seven altogether and taking a 0-0 tie into the first intermission.
When both teams came out battling in the second period, CC rose to the challenge with another three-goal period, their fourth such period in the last 10 played. Right wing Jimmy Kilpatrick crossed the puck from the top of the left circle to center Chad Rau, who put his first attempt into goaltender Jon Olthuis but roofed the rebound. Midway through the period, center-turned-right wing Brian McMillin one-timed a rebound and Kilpatrick added a power-play goal less than two minutes later.
On a five-minute power-play less than two minutes into the third, the Tigers went up 4-0 when Bill Sweatt scored a power-play goal. Anchorage scored twice in the subsequent 16 minutes before pulling Olthuis. Kilpatrick blocked a last-ditch shot and Rau scooped it up and slammed into the empty net.
Fun stats:
--Kilpatrick has 99 career points and needs just one more to become the 70th member of CC's "Century Club" during the program's 70th anniversary season.
--Of Kilpatrick's 99 career points, 24 have come against Anchorage--24.2 percent.
--Rau ranks first among WCHA scoring leaders with 15 goals and nine assists (24 points) in league play.
--Rau is on a 15-game point-scoring streak and a six-game goal-scoring streak.
--Friday's quick goals--Kilpatrick scored at 12:41 of the second, eight seconds after Walsky's game-winner at 12:33--rank fourth place among the fastest two goals in CC hockey history.
Here are the three quickest:
1. Feb. 1, 1952 (2 seconds) vs. Michigan Tech
2. Nov. 17, 2006 (5 seconds) vs. Minnesota State
3. Nov. 18, 1966 (6 seconds) vs. Lake Forest College
Game day: No. 4 CC vs. Alaska-Anchorage
Lines:
Colorado College
10 Thauwald--14 Rau--23 Kilpatrick
21 Sweatt--19 Vlassopoulos--5 DeBoer
26 McCulloch--22 Walsky--25 Testwuide
28 Schultz--17 Johnson--9 McMillin
8 Hillen--15 Prosser
27 Wysopal--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery
30 Bachman
31 O'Connell
1 O'Brien
Alaska-Anchorage
14 Waldrop--20 Crowder--27 Wiles
24 Tassone--37 Cartwright--7 DayChief
21 Lunden--17 Parkinson--8 Clark
22 Tuton--34 McCabe
5 Beaverson--33 Robinson
10 Lovdahl--23 Vidmar
42 Hunt--13 Backstrom
4 LaFranchise
30 Olthuis
31 Mayo
Colorado College
10 Thauwald--14 Rau--23 Kilpatrick
21 Sweatt--19 Vlassopoulos--5 DeBoer
26 McCulloch--22 Walsky--25 Testwuide
28 Schultz--17 Johnson--9 McMillin
8 Hillen--15 Prosser
27 Wysopal--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery
30 Bachman
31 O'Connell
1 O'Brien
Alaska-Anchorage
14 Waldrop--20 Crowder--27 Wiles
24 Tassone--37 Cartwright--7 DayChief
21 Lunden--17 Parkinson--8 Clark
22 Tuton--34 McCabe
5 Beaverson--33 Robinson
10 Lovdahl--23 Vidmar
42 Hunt--13 Backstrom
4 LaFranchise
30 Olthuis
31 Mayo
Friday, January 11, 2008
Game day: No. 4 CC 6, Alaska-Anchorage 1 (final)
How it happened:
After settling for outside shots in a scoreless first period, Colorado College honed in on high-percentage shots in the second and third periods. All six goals came from beneath the tops of the circles, and all three second-period goals were scored from goaltender Jon Olthuis' doorstep.
Of the 10-3 margin in shots after the first period, center Eric Walsky said: "Those were really more perimeter shots. We weren't really getting any good opportunities or using our speed. We were kind of lackadaisical."
Fun stats:
--Right wing Jimmy Kilpatrick, who had a goal and three assists tonight, has 21 career points (7 g, 14 a) in 11 games against Anchorage.
"I've had success in the past and you feel good playing teams like that," said Kilpatrick, who has had a point against Anchorage in nine of 11 career games.
Kilpatrick has had three three-point nights and two four-point nights against the Seawolves.
Kilpatrick's best series against Anchorage came in his freshman year at Sullivan Arena, when he chalked up a goal and two assists in a 6-1 win Friday and followed up the next night with four assists in a 7-2 win.
--CC now has scored three goals in the third period of four of the last five games (say that three times fast). In three of four games entering tonight, the Tigers were held scoreless in the first 40 minutes. But against Anchorage, the Tigers chipped in three second-period goals.
"That's something that we've been focusing on for quite a few games now since we've been having such slow starts," Walsky said. "Tonight, we finally put it into action a little better than in previous nights."
--CC hasn't scored a first-period goal since taking a 2-0 lead after a period in a 5-4 overtime loss to UMass on Dec. 30.
In the second period, "we made a point to come out hard because we had another slow first period," Walsky said.
--Goaltender Richard Bachman has kept opponents scoreless in seven of the last nine periods played. In the last three games, Bachman has saved 69 of 70 shots for a paltry 0.66 goals against average and a 0.980 save percentage.
--Of the nine goals Walsky has scored this season, three have come against Anchorage, which he transferred from after the 2005-06 season.
Asked if the Seawolves bring out the best in him, Walsky said:
"No, I think I just got some bounces. If that were an ordinary game, they would have all hit the post or something. But tonight I had bounces going my way. It felt good."
No extra spark, really?:
"No, there really isn't. I try to take every game as seriously as the next. But it definitely feels really good against my ex-team and teammates. It's a little bit of a pride issue. But I don't think I play any differently against them than any other team."
--After not scoring in his first 16 games, center Tyler Johnson has two goals in three games....Left wing Scott McCulloch, who led the Tigers with 18 goals last season, has two goals in two games to bring his season total to four.
In case you miss it in tomorrow's paper (www2.gazette.com/tigerden):
Former CC goaltender Matt Zaba (2003-07) was reassigned from the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) to the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL). He'll join Colorado Springs native Kellen Briggs, who played from 2003-07 at Minnesota, in the goaltending rotation.
After settling for outside shots in a scoreless first period, Colorado College honed in on high-percentage shots in the second and third periods. All six goals came from beneath the tops of the circles, and all three second-period goals were scored from goaltender Jon Olthuis' doorstep.
Of the 10-3 margin in shots after the first period, center Eric Walsky said: "Those were really more perimeter shots. We weren't really getting any good opportunities or using our speed. We were kind of lackadaisical."
Fun stats:
--Right wing Jimmy Kilpatrick, who had a goal and three assists tonight, has 21 career points (7 g, 14 a) in 11 games against Anchorage.
"I've had success in the past and you feel good playing teams like that," said Kilpatrick, who has had a point against Anchorage in nine of 11 career games.
Kilpatrick has had three three-point nights and two four-point nights against the Seawolves.
Kilpatrick's best series against Anchorage came in his freshman year at Sullivan Arena, when he chalked up a goal and two assists in a 6-1 win Friday and followed up the next night with four assists in a 7-2 win.
--CC now has scored three goals in the third period of four of the last five games (say that three times fast). In three of four games entering tonight, the Tigers were held scoreless in the first 40 minutes. But against Anchorage, the Tigers chipped in three second-period goals.
"That's something that we've been focusing on for quite a few games now since we've been having such slow starts," Walsky said. "Tonight, we finally put it into action a little better than in previous nights."
--CC hasn't scored a first-period goal since taking a 2-0 lead after a period in a 5-4 overtime loss to UMass on Dec. 30.
In the second period, "we made a point to come out hard because we had another slow first period," Walsky said.
--Goaltender Richard Bachman has kept opponents scoreless in seven of the last nine periods played. In the last three games, Bachman has saved 69 of 70 shots for a paltry 0.66 goals against average and a 0.980 save percentage.
--Of the nine goals Walsky has scored this season, three have come against Anchorage, which he transferred from after the 2005-06 season.
Asked if the Seawolves bring out the best in him, Walsky said:
"No, I think I just got some bounces. If that were an ordinary game, they would have all hit the post or something. But tonight I had bounces going my way. It felt good."
No extra spark, really?:
"No, there really isn't. I try to take every game as seriously as the next. But it definitely feels really good against my ex-team and teammates. It's a little bit of a pride issue. But I don't think I play any differently against them than any other team."
--After not scoring in his first 16 games, center Tyler Johnson has two goals in three games....Left wing Scott McCulloch, who led the Tigers with 18 goals last season, has two goals in two games to bring his season total to four.
In case you miss it in tomorrow's paper (www2.gazette.com/tigerden):
Former CC goaltender Matt Zaba (2003-07) was reassigned from the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) to the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL). He'll join Colorado Springs native Kellen Briggs, who played from 2003-07 at Minnesota, in the goaltending rotation.
Game day: No. 4 CC vs. Alaska-Anchorage
Lines:
Colorado College
10 Thauwald--14 Rau--23 Kilpatrick
21 Sweatt--19 Vlassopoulos--5 DeBoer
26 McCulloch--22 Walsky--25 Testwuide
28 Schultz--17 Johnson--9 McMillin
8 Hillen--15 Prosser
27 Wysopal--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery
30 Bachman
31 O'Connell
1 O'Brien
Alaska-Anchorage
24 Tassone--37 Cartwright--18 Tarkir
16 Grant--34 McCabe--9 Clark
21 Lunden--17 Parkinson--7 DayChief
14 Waldrop--20 Crowder--27 Wiles
5 Beaverson--33 Robinson
10 Lovdahl--22 Tuton
4 LaFranchise--23 Vidmar
30 Olthuis
31 Mayo
Colorado College
10 Thauwald--14 Rau--23 Kilpatrick
21 Sweatt--19 Vlassopoulos--5 DeBoer
26 McCulloch--22 Walsky--25 Testwuide
28 Schultz--17 Johnson--9 McMillin
8 Hillen--15 Prosser
27 Wysopal--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery
30 Bachman
31 O'Connell
1 O'Brien
Alaska-Anchorage
24 Tassone--37 Cartwright--18 Tarkir
16 Grant--34 McCabe--9 Clark
21 Lunden--17 Parkinson--7 DayChief
14 Waldrop--20 Crowder--27 Wiles
5 Beaverson--33 Robinson
10 Lovdahl--22 Tuton
4 LaFranchise--23 Vidmar
30 Olthuis
31 Mayo
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Bachman recognized...again.
In case you missed it, goaltender Richard Bachman picked up his third Defensive Player of the Week honor from Western Collegiate Hockey Association Tuesday, the fifth time he has received recognition from the league. The Tigers remain ranked fourth in both weekly polls.
Start clicking
Think Colorado College has a candidate for the Hobey Baker Award? Want to throw your weight behind Air Force's Eric Ehn, who was a top-three finalist last season? Go to hobeybaker.com and follow the 'Vote for Hobey' links.
**I tried it Thursday afternoon to see if I could give more instruction, but it didn't seem to be active yet.
Sign of things to come?
Bemidji State, which plays CC at World Arena on Jan. 18, will present its case to WCHA officials for admittance into the 10-team league on Jan. 13. With the demise of the Wayne State program, which is playing its final season this year, the five-team College Hockey America conference shrinks to four programs and the future of programs at BSU, Robert Morris, Niagara and Alabama-Huntsville looks bleak. Because a conference with fewer than six teams is not permitted to receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, the ability of CHA schools to recruit and be competitive would be extinguished. The CHA, which was started to help new programs make the transition to Division I, was granted an exception in 2005 that ends after this season.
Tiger Tracks
NHL:
It's nothing new for long-time Tigers fans who watched Mike, Colin and Mark Stuart come through the ranks, but it's still neat to think about what Colin's recent call-up to the Atlanta Thrashers means to his family back in Rochester, Minn.
A look at the downside of being a back-up goaltender in the NHL gives Curtis McElhinney a shout-out for his work in 131 minutes of play this season.
AHL:
Former Colorado College center Brett Sterling was named a starter for the 2008 AHL All-Star game's U.S. team, announced Thursday. The game will take place January 28 in Binghamton, N.Y. He'll be joined by fellow CC alums Toby Petersen (Iowa Stars) and defenseman Brian Salcido (Portland Pirates).
ECHL:
Would-be senior James Brannigan, who departed CC in the summer only to be released by the Augusta Lynx (ECHL), got a belated Christmas present. Depleted by the call-up of former CC teammate Aaron Slattengren (who enjoyed a brief stint with the Manitoba Moose (AHL)), the Lynx signed Brannigan to a player try-out contract (a 25-game agreement) on Dec. 27. On Slattengren's first night back in Georgia, Brannigan scored his first professional goal on former teammate Matt Zaba, who stopped 35 of 41 shots in the Charlotte Checkers' loss.
Meanwhile, Trevor Frischmon could play his last AHL game Friday, when his PTO contract expires.
USHL/Recruiting Front:
Recruit Nick Dineen, who is slated to join the Tigers this fall, was named to the 2008 USHL Top Prospects/All-Stars game, to be played Jan. 29 in Green Bay, Wis.
Start clicking
Think Colorado College has a candidate for the Hobey Baker Award? Want to throw your weight behind Air Force's Eric Ehn, who was a top-three finalist last season? Go to hobeybaker.com and follow the 'Vote for Hobey' links.
**I tried it Thursday afternoon to see if I could give more instruction, but it didn't seem to be active yet.
Sign of things to come?
Bemidji State, which plays CC at World Arena on Jan. 18, will present its case to WCHA officials for admittance into the 10-team league on Jan. 13. With the demise of the Wayne State program, which is playing its final season this year, the five-team College Hockey America conference shrinks to four programs and the future of programs at BSU, Robert Morris, Niagara and Alabama-Huntsville looks bleak. Because a conference with fewer than six teams is not permitted to receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, the ability of CHA schools to recruit and be competitive would be extinguished. The CHA, which was started to help new programs make the transition to Division I, was granted an exception in 2005 that ends after this season.
Tiger Tracks
NHL:
It's nothing new for long-time Tigers fans who watched Mike, Colin and Mark Stuart come through the ranks, but it's still neat to think about what Colin's recent call-up to the Atlanta Thrashers means to his family back in Rochester, Minn.
A look at the downside of being a back-up goaltender in the NHL gives Curtis McElhinney a shout-out for his work in 131 minutes of play this season.
AHL:
Former Colorado College center Brett Sterling was named a starter for the 2008 AHL All-Star game's U.S. team, announced Thursday. The game will take place January 28 in Binghamton, N.Y. He'll be joined by fellow CC alums Toby Petersen (Iowa Stars) and defenseman Brian Salcido (Portland Pirates).
ECHL:
Would-be senior James Brannigan, who departed CC in the summer only to be released by the Augusta Lynx (ECHL), got a belated Christmas present. Depleted by the call-up of former CC teammate Aaron Slattengren (who enjoyed a brief stint with the Manitoba Moose (AHL)), the Lynx signed Brannigan to a player try-out contract (a 25-game agreement) on Dec. 27. On Slattengren's first night back in Georgia, Brannigan scored his first professional goal on former teammate Matt Zaba, who stopped 35 of 41 shots in the Charlotte Checkers' loss.
Meanwhile, Trevor Frischmon could play his last AHL game Friday, when his PTO contract expires.
USHL/Recruiting Front:
Recruit Nick Dineen, who is slated to join the Tigers this fall, was named to the 2008 USHL Top Prospects/All-Stars game, to be played Jan. 29 in Green Bay, Wis.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Game day: No. 4 CC 3, No. 13 Wisconsin 1 (final)
Groundhog Day. Another short-handed goal from Chad Rau to get the Tigers going against Wisconsin - that's four in four games this season. Another third period in which CC entered scoreless and facing a deficit. Another phenomenal performance from goaltender Richard Bachman. And another win.
Fun fact: CC is tied with Notre Dame for the national lead in short-handed goals.
Wisconsin's Ben Street on Rau's four short-handed goals in four games:
"He's a good player. We're definitely not trying to give him those opportunities, but he's an opportunist and he's made us pay for a couple bad passes. Those are things we've got to look at and make sure they don't happen anymore. He's got three (sic) short-handed goals in four games ... Those things hurt. Those are times that we're supposed to score and he goes down and puts it in on us. Like I said, we're not trying to give it to him. But kudos to him for finding those plays and picking them off."
Defenseman Jake Gannon on the Badgers' physicality Saturday:
"We came out pretty physical Friday and they were pounding us pretty good in the beginning. I took some good licks. I think that was pretty important, but we kind of took it to them at the same time as they took it to us. It was kind of physical back and forth, which is always fun."
Fun fact: CC is tied with Notre Dame for the national lead in short-handed goals.
Wisconsin's Ben Street on Rau's four short-handed goals in four games:
"He's a good player. We're definitely not trying to give him those opportunities, but he's an opportunist and he's made us pay for a couple bad passes. Those are things we've got to look at and make sure they don't happen anymore. He's got three (sic) short-handed goals in four games ... Those things hurt. Those are times that we're supposed to score and he goes down and puts it in on us. Like I said, we're not trying to give it to him. But kudos to him for finding those plays and picking them off."
Defenseman Jake Gannon on the Badgers' physicality Saturday:
"We came out pretty physical Friday and they were pounding us pretty good in the beginning. I took some good licks. I think that was pretty important, but we kind of took it to them at the same time as they took it to us. It was kind of physical back and forth, which is always fun."
Game day: No. 4 CC 0, No. 13 Wisconsin 1 (end of 2nd period)
If you're not able to watch tonight's game on CSTV or FSN-RM, you're missing quite a show. Since allowing a fluky goal 13 seconds into the game, goaltender Richard Bachman has shown poise beyond his 20 years with save after save after save - 18 to be exact. The score remains 1-0 Wisconsin with 20 minutes to go.
Game day: No. 4 CC 0, No. 13 Wisconsin 1 (end of 1st period)
MADISON, Wis. -- Simple. Relentless. Dictate.
With those three words guiding its efforts, Wisconsin crashed into No. 4 Colorado College's offensive zone after the opening face-off and came away with a goal just 13 seconds into the first period Saturday.
Fourth-line center Sean Dolan swatted the puck out of midair and over goaltender Richard Bachman's outstretched left leg to give the No. 13 Badgers a 1-0 advantage off of their first shot.
Wisconsin didn't quit, playing a much more physical game than in Friday's 2-0 CC win.
Back-to-back penalties by the Tigers gave Wisconsin a chance to improve on its lamentable power play. CC killed both penalties to extend the Badgers' streak to 2 for 46 (4.3 percent) on the power play since Nov. 16 at CC.
The Tigers recovered from the early goal to outshoot Wisconsin 9-8.
CC has never swept Wisconsin at Kohl Center and last earned a sweep in Madison Dec. 8-9, 1995. That season, the Tigers advanced to the national championship game.
Lines:
Colorado College
10 Thauwald--14 Rau--23 Kilpatrick
26 McCulloch--19 Vlassopoulos--5 DeBoer
28 Schultz--17 Johnson--22 Walsky
18 Overman--9 McMillin--25 Testwuide
8 Hillen--15 Prosser
27 Wysopal--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery
30 Bachman
31 O'Connell
Wisconsin
6 Engel--22 Street--18 Ford
11 Bohmbach--15 Gorowsky--8 Turnbull
10 Johnson--13 Bendickson--9 Davies
24 Mitchell--16 Dolan--14 Ben Grotting
3 C. Johnson--17 McDonagh
4 Drewiske--27 Goloubef
7 Smith--20 Klubertanz
35 Connelly
1 Gudmandson
With those three words guiding its efforts, Wisconsin crashed into No. 4 Colorado College's offensive zone after the opening face-off and came away with a goal just 13 seconds into the first period Saturday.
Fourth-line center Sean Dolan swatted the puck out of midair and over goaltender Richard Bachman's outstretched left leg to give the No. 13 Badgers a 1-0 advantage off of their first shot.
Wisconsin didn't quit, playing a much more physical game than in Friday's 2-0 CC win.
Back-to-back penalties by the Tigers gave Wisconsin a chance to improve on its lamentable power play. CC killed both penalties to extend the Badgers' streak to 2 for 46 (4.3 percent) on the power play since Nov. 16 at CC.
The Tigers recovered from the early goal to outshoot Wisconsin 9-8.
CC has never swept Wisconsin at Kohl Center and last earned a sweep in Madison Dec. 8-9, 1995. That season, the Tigers advanced to the national championship game.
Lines:
Colorado College
10 Thauwald--14 Rau--23 Kilpatrick
26 McCulloch--19 Vlassopoulos--5 DeBoer
28 Schultz--17 Johnson--22 Walsky
18 Overman--9 McMillin--25 Testwuide
8 Hillen--15 Prosser
27 Wysopal--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery
30 Bachman
31 O'Connell
Wisconsin
6 Engel--22 Street--18 Ford
11 Bohmbach--15 Gorowsky--8 Turnbull
10 Johnson--13 Bendickson--9 Davies
24 Mitchell--16 Dolan--14 Ben Grotting
3 C. Johnson--17 McDonagh
4 Drewiske--27 Goloubef
7 Smith--20 Klubertanz
35 Connelly
1 Gudmandson
Friday, January 4, 2008
Game day: No. 4 CC 2, No. 13 Wisconsin 0 (final)
MADISON, Wis. - When Colorado College faced Wisconsin earlier this season, coach Scott Owens expected a goaltender battle.
Instead, the Tigers outscored Wisconsin 10-4 in the two-game sweep at World Arena to extend their winning streak against the Badgers to four games.
In CC's first game at Kohl Center since Nov. 2005, the goaltending duel came to fruition as CC's Richard Bachman and Wisconsin's Shane Connelly each turned in 16 saves to preserve a 0-0 tie through two periods Friday. The third period came down to two too many turnovers for the Badgers, as centers Chad Rau and Tyler Johnson capitalized on Wisconsin blunders to give the fourth-ranked Tigers a 2-0 victory to start the second half of Western Collegiate Hockey Association play. You can read the game story here.
Rau has put together quite a run, extending his point-scoring streak to 12 games Friday, so that's why I focused on him. But Bachman was a "difference-maker" for the Tigers, as he has been all season.
With less than three minutes to go in the second, Connelly made three saves in succession on shots from the Tigers' top line: left wing Scott Thauwald, center Chad Rau and right wing Jimmy Kilpatrick.
Kilpatrick mustered a shot before he went flying across the crease on a check from defenseman Cody Goloubef, but Rau collected the rebound for another opportunity from the slot. Thauwald's shot from the bottom of the right circle was gloved to close the sequence.
Wisconsin's best chances came on shots from Ben Grotting and Sean Dolan while killing the Tigers' second penalty less than five minutes into the period.
In the first 10 minutes, the Badgers dominated CC, outshooting the Tigers 6-1.
Goaltender Richard Bachman has needed to make three point-blank saves to preserve the tie, including back-to-back blocks on shots from right wing Patrick Johnson and left wing Andy Bohmbach. Bachman saved Johnson's shot from the slot with his right leg pad and Bohmbach's rebound attempt hit the freshman goaltender in the stomach as he sprawled in the slot.
Another close call came at 13:06 when right wing Podge Turnbull slipped behind CC defenseman Brian Connelly, who was forced to commit a tripping penalty to thwart the breakaway.
The Tigers smoothed out their shaky start in the final 10 minutes of the period, with left wing Scott McCulloch taking two of CC's four shots.
By the numbers:
Shots: CC 16 (4-12) - UW 16 (8-8)
Power plays: CC 0 of 2 - UW 0 of 2
Saves: CC Bachman 16 - UW Connelly 16
Lines:
Colorado College
10 Thauwald--14 Rau--23 Kilpatrick
26 McCulloch--19 Vlassopoulos--5 DeBoer
28 Schultz--17 Johnson--22 Walsky
18 Overman--9 McMillin--25 Testwuide
8 Hillen--15 Prosser
27 Wysopal--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery
30 Bachman
31 O'Connell
Wisconsin
6 Engel--22 Street--10 P. Johnson
11 Bohmbach--15 Gorowsky--8 Turnbull
9 Davies--13 Bendickson--14 Grotting
24 Mitchell--16 Dolan--18 Ford
3 C. Johnson--17 McDonagh
4 Drewiske--27 Goloubef
7 Smith--20 Klubertanz
35 Connelly
1 Gudmandson
Instead, the Tigers outscored Wisconsin 10-4 in the two-game sweep at World Arena to extend their winning streak against the Badgers to four games.
In CC's first game at Kohl Center since Nov. 2005, the goaltending duel came to fruition as CC's Richard Bachman and Wisconsin's Shane Connelly each turned in 16 saves to preserve a 0-0 tie through two periods Friday. The third period came down to two too many turnovers for the Badgers, as centers Chad Rau and Tyler Johnson capitalized on Wisconsin blunders to give the fourth-ranked Tigers a 2-0 victory to start the second half of Western Collegiate Hockey Association play. You can read the game story here.
Rau has put together quite a run, extending his point-scoring streak to 12 games Friday, so that's why I focused on him. But Bachman was a "difference-maker" for the Tigers, as he has been all season.
With less than three minutes to go in the second, Connelly made three saves in succession on shots from the Tigers' top line: left wing Scott Thauwald, center Chad Rau and right wing Jimmy Kilpatrick.
Kilpatrick mustered a shot before he went flying across the crease on a check from defenseman Cody Goloubef, but Rau collected the rebound for another opportunity from the slot. Thauwald's shot from the bottom of the right circle was gloved to close the sequence.
Wisconsin's best chances came on shots from Ben Grotting and Sean Dolan while killing the Tigers' second penalty less than five minutes into the period.
In the first 10 minutes, the Badgers dominated CC, outshooting the Tigers 6-1.
Goaltender Richard Bachman has needed to make three point-blank saves to preserve the tie, including back-to-back blocks on shots from right wing Patrick Johnson and left wing Andy Bohmbach. Bachman saved Johnson's shot from the slot with his right leg pad and Bohmbach's rebound attempt hit the freshman goaltender in the stomach as he sprawled in the slot.
Another close call came at 13:06 when right wing Podge Turnbull slipped behind CC defenseman Brian Connelly, who was forced to commit a tripping penalty to thwart the breakaway.
The Tigers smoothed out their shaky start in the final 10 minutes of the period, with left wing Scott McCulloch taking two of CC's four shots.
By the numbers:
Shots: CC 16 (4-12) - UW 16 (8-8)
Power plays: CC 0 of 2 - UW 0 of 2
Saves: CC Bachman 16 - UW Connelly 16
Lines:
Colorado College
10 Thauwald--14 Rau--23 Kilpatrick
26 McCulloch--19 Vlassopoulos--5 DeBoer
28 Schultz--17 Johnson--22 Walsky
18 Overman--9 McMillin--25 Testwuide
8 Hillen--15 Prosser
27 Wysopal--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery
30 Bachman
31 O'Connell
Wisconsin
6 Engel--22 Street--10 P. Johnson
11 Bohmbach--15 Gorowsky--8 Turnbull
9 Davies--13 Bendickson--14 Grotting
24 Mitchell--16 Dolan--18 Ford
3 C. Johnson--17 McDonagh
4 Drewiske--27 Goloubef
7 Smith--20 Klubertanz
35 Connelly
1 Gudmandson
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