Mucking in the corner

Blog Has Moved

2008-05-23T17:20:00.002-06:00

It's been a good run on Blogger, but The Gazette has decided to take Mucking in the Corner to a new in-house site (http://cchockey.freedomblogging.com/).

Exciting new features include:
--More accessible comments feature that does not require a Gmail account. (We listened!)
--An ever-expanding blogroll. If you don't see a college hockey resource listed, please drop me an e-mail at kate.crandall@gazette.com, so that I can check it out.

So please reset your bookmarks and join us over yonder.

Stuart Named to U.S. National Team

2008-04-24T11:21:00.007-06:00

Former Colorado College defenseman Mark Stuart, who played all 89 games this season for the Boston Bruins, was named to the U.S. national team roster for the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship, USA Hockey announced Thursday. The tournament takes place May 2-18 in Nova Scotia and Quebec City, Quebec.

Stuart, a product of the U.S. national team development program (2000-02), captained to the U.S. under-18 national team to its first-ever gold at the IIHF World under-18 Championship in 2002 and repeated the success as captain in the 2004 World Junior Championship.

---
Also, New York Islanders pro scout Toby O'Brien said newly signed defenseman Jack Hillen went from "level 1 to level 9" while at Colorado College.

Former Teammates Reunite At Frozen Four Skills Challenge

2008-04-11T20:06:00.001-06:00

DENVER -- Colorado College's Jimmy Kilpatrick and Air Force's Eric Ehn played together with the Green Bay Gamblers (United States Hockey League) and on Friday helped the West Men's squad to a 13-6 victory over the East squad at the 2008 Frozen Four Skills Challenge.

In the first event, the Puck Control Relay, Ehn's three-skater team lost their first heat, but Kilpatrick's team (he was joined by Nino Musitelli of Miami (Ohio) and Lake Forest's Courtney DeHoey). After winning the heat, Kilpatrick was interviewed on ESPNU by former Colorado College player Jim Paradise.

In the fastest skater competition, Kilpatrick edged out Musitelli with a time of 4.67 (from goal line to offensive blue line), but finished third behind Denver's Andrew Thomas (4.61) and Providence's Jon Rheault (4.65). Ehn faced off against Thomas and it was clear he is still coming back from his left fibula injury.

Thomas was edged out by Rheault, but Denver coach George Gwozdecky protested the false start. WCHA head referee Greg Shepherd jokingly came over to the West bench to quiet Gwozdecky and Thomas couldn't beat Rheault the second time around.

Neither Kilpatrick or Ehn competed in the hardest shot competition.

Kilpatrick tapped Denver goaltender Peter Mannino's pads -- Mannino saved seven of eight shots --before facing off against East goaltender Justin Mrazek of Union in the rapid shot competition, which involves pass from the goal line and tests the goalie. Kilpatrick scored on two of eight shots.

Kilpatrick faced Mrazek again in the penalty shot competition (one point for each made), as did Ehn, and wowed the crowd with a move that involved bouncing the puck on his stick and shooting it as it hit the ice.

Bachman, Hillen, Rau Named to AHCA All-American West teams

2008-04-11T18:48:00.007-06:00

DENVER -- Colorado College goaltender Richard Bachman and defenseman Jack Hillen were named first-team West All-American by the American Hockey Coaches Association. The teams were announced Friday at the NCAA Frozen Four in Denver.

Chad Rau, a junior who led the Tigers and finished fifth in the WCHA in scoring, was named to the second team.

It is the most All-American mentions for CC since 2005 when Curtis McElhinney, Marty Sertich, Brett Sterling and Mark Stuart were selected. It is the third time in the past five seasons that CC has had three or more players on All-American teams.

Only New Hampshire had more players on All-American teams (four on the East squads).

First Team All-American
West
Goalie Richard Bachman, FR, Colorado College
Defense Tyler Eckford, JR, Alaska
Defense Jack Hillen, SR, Colorado College
Forward Ryan Jones, SR, Miami (Ohio)
Forward T.J. Oshie, JR, North Dakota
Forward Kevin Porter, SR, Michigan

East
Goalie Kevin Regan, SR, New Hampshire
Defense Matt Gilroy, JR, Boston University
Defense Mike Moore, SR, Princeton
Nathan Gerbe, JR, Boston College
Lee Jubinville, JR, Princeton
Mike Radja, SR, New Hampshire

Second Team All-American
West
Goalie Jeff Lerg, JR, Michigan State
Defense Chris Butler, JR, Denver
Defense Alec Martinez, JR, Miami
Forward Chad Kolarik, SR, Michigan
Forward Ryan Lasch, St. Cloud State
Forward Chad Rau, Colorado College

East
Goalie Josh Kassel, JR, Army
Defense Grant Clitsome, SR, Clarkson
Defense Brad Flaishans, SR, New Hampshire
Forward Bryan Ewing, SR, Boston University
Forward Matt Fornataro, SR, New Hampshire
Forward Peter MacArthur, SR, Boston University

The only repeat selection is Matt Gilroy (Boston University), who was on the second team last year.

Friday Night at the Frozen Four

2008-04-11T18:12:00.003-06:00

DENVER -- No surprise here. Michigan's Kevin Porter won the Hobey Baker Award, the first non-WCHA player in seven seasons to win the award. Boston College left wing Nathan Gerbe, who had a hat trick last night to surpass Porter in national scoring statistics, congratulated his fellow Michigan native and former U.S. national development teammate. Miami's Ryan Jones displayed his new look after shedding his locks for cancer patients' hairpieces.

Thauwald Signs With Colorado Eagles

2008-04-07T13:23:00.007-06:00

Want to see Colorado College captain Scott Thauwald play again? Here's your chance. The fifth-year senior signed to play with the Colorado Eagles for the rest of the Central Hockey League playoffs. Head coach Chris Stewart was interested in Thauwald "for a while," he said.

CC goaltender Richard Bachman continues to rack up the awards. This time it's Inside College Hockey. The website named Bachman to its Freshmen All-American team and Rookie of the Year.

Tiger Tracks:
Three years removed from CC, defenseman Mark Stuart was one of three Boston Bruins to play in all 82 regular-season games.

A newly minted professional, defenseman Jack Hillen recorded 15:39 of ice time in his debut last Thursday and an assist Friday.

Left wing Aaron Slattengren's player tryout agreement ended with the Providence Bruins (American Hockey League), but the ECHL's Augusta Lynx were happy to welcome him back for their playoff run.

Salcido, Sterling Named to AHL 2nd All-Star Team

2008-04-03T16:06:00.002-06:00

CC alums Brett Sterling and Brian Salcido were named to the American Hockey League second All-Star team Thursday.

Sterling had 19 goals in his first 22 games with the Chicago Wolves after being sent down from the Atlanta Thrashers. The left wing ranks third in the league with 34 goals in 64 games this season.

Salcido is second among all AHL defensemen in assists (40) and points (50) in 66 games for the Portland Pirates and tied Portland’s franchise record for points by a defenseman in a single season.

See the two AHL All-Star teams here.

Hillen Expected To Play Tonight vs. Rangers

2008-04-03T14:28:00.004-06:00

Jack Hillen and the New York Islanders will square off against the rival New York Rangers in the Isles' final home game at Nassau Coliseum at 5 p.m. MT tonight.

Islanders coach Ted Nolan told Newsday that he'll pair Hillen with the team's most experienced defenseman, Radek Martinek.

CC Picks Up Another Defenseman

2008-04-03T13:13:00.005-06:00

Arthur Bidwill, a 20-year-old defenseman from Fontana, Wis., committed to CC Tuesday.

In his third NAHL season, Bidwill finished with 10 goal and 29 points in 39 games for the Fairbanks (Alaska) Ice Dogs. He was also plus-27.

Bidwell played for the Southern Minnesota Express and the Traverse City (Mich.) North Stars before being traded to the Ice Dogs midway through last season.

Read more here.

Hillen, Rau, Bachman Named to All-CHN Teams

2008-04-02T17:20:00.001-06:00

Defenseman Jack Hillen received first-team honors, while center Chad Rau was named second team by College Hockey News. Goaltender Richard Bachman was named to the all-rookie team.

FIRST TEAM All-CHN
F Kevin Porter Michigan Sr.
F Nathan Gerbe Boston College Jr.
F Ryan Jones Miami Sr.
D Alec Martinez Miami Jr.
D Jack Hillen Colorado College Sr.
G Jean-Philippe Lamoureux North Dakota Jr.

SECOND TEAM All-CHN
F Chad Kolarik Michigan Sr.
F Chad Rau Colorado College Jr.
F Pete MacArthur Boston University Sr.
D Chay Genoway North Dakota So.
D Grant Clitsome Clarkson Sr.
G Jeff Zatkoff Miami Jr.

CHN ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
F Colin Wilson Boston University
F Max Pacioretty Michigan
F Riley Nash Cornell
D Ryan McDonagh Wisconsin
D Chad Langlais Michigan
G Richard Bachman Colorado College

See College Hockey News' story here.

Hobey Baker Top 3 Announced

2008-04-02T15:54:00.004-06:00

Hobey Baker Top 3:
--Michigan forward Kevin Porter: Nation's leading scorer with 33 goals and 29 assists.
--Boston College forward Nathan Gerbe: 2nd nationally in scoring with 30 goals and 30 assists.
--Miami (Ohio) forward Ryan Jones: 31 goals rank first nationally, also has 18 assists

I'm not as shocked as I was when Colorado College goaltender Richard Bachman and center Chad Rau (and for that matter, defenseman Jack Hillen) were left off of the Hobey Baker Award top 10 list. But to not have North Dakota goaltender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux in the top three is simply absurd.

I think Michigan's Kevin Porter is the runaway winner and Boston College's Nathan Gerbe has been impressive, especially in the second half. Both Porter and Gerbe's numbers are gaudy enough to merit top-3 mention. While Miami's Ryan Jones is a fantastic player and his goals rank second nationally, I think Lamoureux has put together a resume worthy of top-3 consideration, especially in such a low-scoring year in college hockey and with his team's success in reaching the Frozen Four (again).

UPDATE: And after the nice things Lamoureux said about Bachman to Inside College Hockey, I would imagine some of you CC fans would agree with me (just kidding...but nice things, nonetheless).

This year’s Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced Friday, April 11, 2008 from Pepsi Center during the Frozen Four. The announcement will be aired live on ESPNU at 5:30 pm MT.

Hillen Signs With the New York Islanders

2008-04-01T16:41:00.001-06:00

Colorado College senior defenseman Jack Hillen signed a two-year contract with the New York Islanders Tuesday.
Hillen, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association defensive player of the year, is expected make his NHL debut Thursday and Friday in the Islanders’ final two games, a home-and-home series with the New York Rangers.
“I’m pretty excited and nervous,” said Hillen, who took a red-eye flight to New York Monday and was in New York to watch the Islanders take on the New Jersey Devils Tuesday. “I don’t quite know what to expect. But I’m just really happy with my decision to be part of the Islanders organization and I think it’s going to be a lot of fun in this next week getting used to some things and doing whatever I need to do next year to get back to the highest level. Who knows what’s going to happen, but I’m just happy to be here right now.”
As the nation’s top-scoring defenseman, Hillen finished second among all Tigers’ scorers with six goals and 31 assists. Hillen was also named first-team All-WCHA.
“Our whole staff is very excited for him,” CC coach Scott Owens said. “It’s nice to see a player be rewarded for doing it the right way. In four years, he put in his time. He improved, he developed, he had a great senior year and then he had the opportunity to sign a pro contract. ...We’re thrilled.”
Hillen will see a familiar face when he skates for the first time with the Islanders today. Former Minnesota forward Kyle Okposo made headlines when he gave up his final two-and-a-half seasons of eligibility in December to sign with the Islanders.
"We are very proud that Jack made the decision to join the Islanders," general manager Garth Snow said in a statement. "He was one of the prized college free agents for good reason. He is an excellent puck-moving defenseman and our scouting staff is really impressed by his competitive spirit.”

Dineen Makes Mark

2008-04-01T14:43:00.003-06:00

Just a quick note to brighten your day...

I know it's tough to adjust to life without hockey.

To ease that transition, it always helps to look forward to next season.

One member of CC's recruiting class for 2008 is Nick Dineen, a player who has paid his dues by spending three years in the United States Hockey League. This article should make you excited about what's coming around the bend for the Tigers.

NCAA West Regional: CC 1, Michigan State 3 (final)

2008-03-28T23:49:00.005-06:00

Objective version:
It was an ending no one expected, especially not the 25 players in Colorado College's locker room.
After a scoreless first period, Michigan State's second-period scoring came swiftly: three goals -- two power-play goals and a quick strike off of a faceoff -- in a span of 10:24.
But the Tigers had their chances, too, racking up a 42-23 advantage in shots for the game.
Left wing Derek Patrosso, CC's only player from Michigan, spoiled Michigan State goaltender Jeff Lerg's shutout bid with 8:53 left in the game, but the Tigers couldn't inch any closer, even with goaltender Richard Bachman pulled for the final two minutes.

Subjective version:
It's the kind of loss that sucks the breath out of you.
I wasn't sure what to expect as I walked into the locker room for the first time ever -- reporters are only allowed in locker rooms after NCAA Tournament games -- but the scene is one I will never forget.
The Tigers' faces were tear-stained and pained. Some hugged. Some sat, their heads cradled in their hands, while others' stares were so intent, they seemed ready to play 60 more minutes.
At that moment, it was hard to remember the trophy-hoisting of early March and the whoops and hollers that accompanied many a cutthroat three-on-three game at practice.
But the Tigers' silence spoke volumes about how much they cared for one another and for the shared dream of winning a national title, which slipped from their grasp tonight.
And captain Scott Thauwald and senior Jack Hillen explained the meaning behind that silence in the press conference next door. It was less about the loss itself and more that the loss cut short the experience of a lifetime.
Said Thauwald: "In the last five years, I have developed unbelievable friendships with these guys that I will have for the rest of my life. This team is a special team and the friendships and relationships are something I will take with me. You will never have a close group like a college hockey team."
Added Hillen: "It's tough right now. The only thing I can say is that I have played with some incredible hockey players that came through here in my four years. I will never forget the players I played with... . I've made some unbelievable friendships and it's just tough because I will never sit in the locker room again with those guys and those friendships, it will never be the same."

NCAA West Regional: No. 2 seed CC vs. No. 3 seed Michigan State

2008-03-28T18:58:00.003-06:00

The winner of the CC-Michigan State game will meet Notre Dame, which trounced New Hampshire 7-3 (with two empty-net goals) in the first game. The Wildcats' NCAA swoon continued as they haven't won a tournament game since 2005 and coach Dick Umile has never won a championship.

Lines:
Colorado College
21 Bill Sweatt -- 14 Chad Rau -- 25 Mike Testwuide
16 Derek Patrosso -- 19 Andreas Vlassopoulos -- 23 Jimmy Kilpatrick
10 Scott Thauwald --17 Tyler Johnson --22 Eric Walsky
26 Scott McCulloch -- 9 Brian McMillin --18 Matt Overman

8 Jack Hillen -- 15 Nate Prosser
7 Kris Fredheim -- 4 Jake Gannon
11 Brian Connelly -- 24 Ryan Lowery

30 Richard Bachman
31 Drew O'Connell
1 Tyler O'Brien

Michigan State
10 Tim Kennedy -- 9 Justin Abdelkader --19 Chris Mueller
24 Matt Schepke -- 11 Bryan Lerg -- 40 Tim Crowder
25 Corey Tropp -- 22 Nick Sucharski -- 21 Dustin Gazley
26 Kurt Kivisto -- 14 Zak McClelllan -- 13 Ryan Turek

8 Brandon Gentile -- 2 Jeff Petry
16 Justin Johnston -- 28 Danie Vukovic
44 Micahel Ratchuk -- 15 Jeff Dunne

1 Jeff Lerg
35 Bobby Jarosz
30 Steve Mnich

NCAA Regionals Kick Off Today

2008-03-28T12:32:00.002-06:00

Here's a bunch of links to get you in the NCAA playoff spirit:

New Hampshire goaltender Kevin Regan, a finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial award, received the Walter Brown Award, given to the best player in New England, continuing to bolster the collective credentials of the four goaltenders in the NCAA West Regional at World Arena. Michigan State's Jeff Lerg is also a Hobey finalist and, as most reading this blog know, Colorado College's Richard Bachman was WCHA player and rookie of the year.

Here's a West Regional preview.

ESPN.com's general thoughts on the NCAA Tournament, with the assertion that, indeed, the West Regional is the toughest draw.

Even though all of the teams at the West Regional expressed excitement about playing in Colorado and at CC's home arena, this one blogger isn't too happy about Michigan State's placement there.

This blog highlights Air Force, which will play in the NCAA Northeast Regional in Worcester, Mass., starting Saturday against Miami (Ohio). The biggest news is that Eric Ehn will play.

USCHO.com's Dave Starman looks at breakout freshmen in this column. Of course, Bachman is featured prominently.

Day passes available as of 10 a.m. today

2008-03-28T12:00:00.003-06:00

Individual day tickets for the NCAA West Regional at World Arena went on sale at 10 a.m. today (Friday).
Tickets for both games tonight -- New Hampshire vs. Notre Dame at 4:30 p.m. or Colorado College vs. Michigan State at 8 p.m. -- or for the championship game on Saturday are $47 for the upper bowl and $54.50 for the lower bowl, although I'm pretty sure only a handful of lower-bowl tickets remain for tonight's games and the lower bowl is definitely sold out for Saturday's championship game.
Tickets can be purchased at the World Arena box office, www.cctigers.com, or by calling TicketsWest at 576.2626.

NCAA Tournament on TV

2008-03-22T18:36:00.003-06:00

Mark your calendars:

-- Sunday, March 23:
9:30 a.m. MT: NCAA Hockey Selection Show (ESPN2)

-- Friday, March 28:
East Regional (Albany) Semifinal, 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPNU)
East Regional (Albany) Semifinal, 5:30 p.m. MT (ESPNU)
West Regional (World Arena) Semifinal, 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPNU)
West Regional (World Arena) Semifinal, 11:00 p.m. MT (tape-delay, ESPNU)

-- Saturday, March 29:
Northeast Regional (Worcester, Mass.) Semifinal, 2:00 p.m. MT (ESPNU)
East Regional (Albany) Final, 5:00 p.m. MT (ESPNU)
West Regional (World Arena) Final, 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPNU)
Northeast Regional (Worcester, Mass.) Semifinal, 11:00 p.m. MT (tape-delay, ESPNU)

-- Sunday, March 30:
Midwest Regional (Madison, Wisc.) Semifinal, 10:30 a.m. MT (tape-delay, ESPNU)
Midwest Regional (Madison, Wisc.) Semifinal, 12:30 p.m. MT (tape-delay, ESPNU)
Northeast Regional (Worchester, Mass.) Final, 2:30 p.m. MT (ESPNU)
Midwest Regional (Madison, Wisc.) Final, 5:00 p.m. MT (ESPNU)

-- Thursday, April 10:
NCAA Frozen Four semifinal games, 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN2)

-- Friday, April 11:
Hobey Baker Award presentation, live from Pepsi Center, 5:30 p.m. MT
NCAA Hockey Skills Challenge, live from Pepsi Center, 7:00 p.m. MT

-- Saturday, April 12:
NCAA national championship game, 5:00 p.m. MT (ESPN)

Notes:
Jim Paradise, who played from CC from 1990-94, and Damion DiGuilian will be ESPN analysts at the NCAA West Regional at World Arena.

Time to Regroup

2008-03-22T17:57:00.003-06:00

Colorado College will leave St. Paul, Minn., Sunday empty-handed.
The last time the Tigers went home without a trophy was in December after they lost the Lightning College Hockey Classic in Tampa, Fla.
CC reeled off six consecutive wins in response and won the MacNaughton Cup and the Gold Pan two months later.
Granted, the Final Five is a way bigger deal than the LCHC and CC was way more disappointed this weekend.
But this weekend's losses beg the question: How will the Tigers respond this time, especially with the NCAA West Regional starting Friday at World Arena?
As captain Scott Thauwald said: "We can feel sorry for ourselves tonight and tomorrow, but come Monday, we're in the national tournament. Two wins and we'll be in the Pepsi Center."

The facts:
--CC's offense needs a jumpstart. The Tigers had their lowest scoring weekend of the season with just three goals in two games. Two of those goals were on the power play.
"There were a lot of times when we could have slammed it home in front of the net," Thauwald said. "I don't think we battled hard enough in front."
--The Tigers' defense needs to clamp down. CC allowed 35 shots against both Minnesota and North Dakota. Their opponents, on the other hand, kept the Tigers out of the middle and limited them to mostly outside shots.
--CC needs to make its home-ice advantage -- the Tigers have an 18-2 record at World Arena -- an advantage by using its speed. The Tigers looked a step slow against North Dakota, perhaps in part because their transition game was undermined by turnovers during long stretches of the game. But when the Tigers are clicking -- read: the way they played against Clarkson, Minnesota-Duluth and the first game against Denver -- they're tough to stop.

Game day: No. 2 Colorado College vs. No. 4 North Dakota (Final Five third-place game)

2008-03-22T12:07:00.003-06:00

Colorado College, which was held to a single goal in Friday's overtime loss to Minnesota, has a lot riding on today's game against North Dakota. CC is ranked fourth in the PairWise rankings, while the Fighting Sioux are ranked fifth. The winner of today's game is projected to be the top seed in the NCAA West Regional at World Arena, while the other is expected to be the second seed.

Coach Scott Owens said after Friday's game that he and his staff would have a lengthy discussion about whether to play starting goaltender Richard Bachman. It seems the CC coaches decided playing for that top seed was worth it because Bachman is listed as the starter.

As I mentioned above, CC was held to a single goal Friday--that's the first time the Tigers haven't scored at least two goals in a game. Owens made the first significant change to the top three lines since January, moving left wing Scott McCulloch to the fourth line and shifting Derek Patrosso, who typically plays right wing, to the second-line left wing spot. This is similar to the lineup CC went with in November's split with North Dakota (here).

A few comments:
--Minnesota goaltender Alex Kangas was as good as advertised. The 20-year-old freshman (a couple months older than Richard Bachman) is on a hot streak. How will CC do against North Dakota's Jean-Philippe Lamoureux, who took his second loss in three games after leading the Sioux to an 18-game unbeaten streak? Should be another goaltending battle.
--Minnesota's defense was much improved over October. The Gophers kept CC's shots to the outside and did not allow the Tigers to get rebounds. To get prime scoring opportunities against North Dakota, CC has no choice but to be gritty.

Lines:
Colorado College
21 Bill Sweatt -- 14 Chad Rau -- 25 Mike Testwuide
16 Derek Patrosso -- 19 Andreas Vlassopoulos -- 23 Jimmy Kilpatrick
10 Scott Thauwald -- 17 Tyler Johnson -- 22 Eric Walsky
26 Scott McCulloch -- 9 Brian McMilllin -- 5 Addison DeBoer

8 Jack Hillen -- 15 Nate Prosser
7 Kris Fredheim -- 4 Jake Gannon
11 Brian Connelly --24 Ryan Lowery

30 Richard Bachman
31 Drew O'Connell
1 Tyler O'Brien

North Dakota
16 Ryan Duncan -- 7 T.J. Oshie -- 14 Brad Miller
20 Matt Watkins -- 29 Chris VandeVelde -- 17 Rylan Kaip
10 Andrew Kozek -- 8 Ryan Martens -- 22 Brad Malone
26 Kyle Radke -- 11 Darcy Zajac -- 21 Matt Frattin

4 Taylor Chorney -- 28 Robbie Bina
2 Joe Finley -- 5 Chay Genoway
6 Zach Jones -- 25 Jake Marto

1 Jean-Philippe Lamoureux
30 Aaron Walski

Tigers Clean Up At WCHA Awards Ceremony

2008-03-21T17:53:00.003-06:00

(Above) Colorado College goaltender Richard Bachman accepts player of the year honors from the WCHA, becoming only the second player in league history to be named player and rookie of the year in the same season. NHL goaltender Curtis Joseph, a former Wisconsin player, is the other. It was Bachman's second speech of the day.

(Above) Named WCHA defensive player of the year, Tigers defenseman Jack Hillen credited his teammates with the award and said he was honored to be named top defensive player with the likes of North Dakota's Taylor Chorney and Wisconsin's Jamie McBain in the league.

(Above) Bachman's rookie of the year speech.

Game day: No. 2 CC vs. No. 12 Minnesota

2008-03-21T16:31:00.006-06:00

Denver beat North Dakota 3-1 in the first semifinal game today, setting up a potential rivalry rematch in the Broadmoor Trophy game.

Earlier this week, Colorado College players secretly wished they'd get to face Minnesota in the Final Five. Their wish was granted when Gophers forward Mike Howe scored with 12.7 seconds left in regulation. It should be a packed house at the Xcel Energy Center tonight.

Things to watch:
--Even though CC goaltender Richard Bachman was unquestionably the WCHA's best goaltender this season -- he captured 77 of 78 rookie of the year votes and player of the year honors Thursday -- Minnesota's Alex Kangas has put together a solid campaign after taking the reins midway through the season. In 28 games, Kangas has a 1.95 goals against average and a .930 save percentage. Coach Don Lucia said Monday Kangas was the reason for the Gophers' about-face.
--CC and Denver are the bitterest of rivals, but Minnesota is up there on the Tigers' list. A gopher hangs in effigy in the bowels of CC's locker room.
--Minnesota played three overtime games last weekend and the play-in game last night. How will the Gophers' legs hold up?
--CC's forwards exposed all sorts of weaknesses in Minnesota's defensive corps in October. I'll be interested to see how the Gophers' defense has improved since the beginning of the season. Remember, Minnesota lost its three top defensemen off of last season's team -- Mike Vannelli, who graduated, and early departures Alex Goligoski and Erik Johnson.

Here are the lines for tonight's game:

Colorado College
21 Bill Sweatt -- 14 Chad Rau -- 25 Mike Testwuide
26 Scott McCulloch -- 19 Andreas Vlassopoulos -- 23 Jimmy Kilpatrick
10 Scott Thauwald -- 17 Tyler Johnson -- 22 Eric Walsky
18 Matt Overman -- 9 Brian McMillin -- 16 Derek Patrosso

8 Jack Hillen --15 Nate Prosser
7 Kris Fredheim -- 4 Jake Gannon
11 Brian Connelly -- 24 Ryan Lowery

30 Richard Bachman
31 Drew O'Connell
1 Tyler O'Brien

Minnesota
13 Ben Gordon -- 17 Blake Wheeler -- 7 Patrick White
11 Mike Hoeffel -- 16 Mike Carman -- 26 Jay Barriball
12 Tony Lucia -- 19 Evan Kaufmann -- 22 Ryan Flynn
24 Mike Howe -- 25 Drew Fisher --14 Justin Bostrom

5 Derek Peltier -- 20 David Fischer
28 Cade Fairchild -- 4 Stu Bickel
2 Kevin Wehrs -- 6 R.J. Anderson

33 Alex Kangas
1 Jeff Frazee
35 Brent Solei

Bachman Named Player, Rookie of the Year

2008-03-20T14:47:00.002-06:00

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Colorado College goaltender Richard Bachman became only the second player in league history to be named player and rookie of the year by the Western Collegiate Hockey Association at its awards banquet Thursday.
Tigers defenseman Jack Hillen was named WCHA defensive player of the year.
Curtis Joseph, who played for Wisconsin, also won both honors in the 1988-89 season.

Rau Seventh on INCH Hobey Tracker

2008-03-19T08:24:00.002-06:00

Center Chad Rau comes in seventh on Inside College Hockey's Hobey tracker. Leading the way is Michigan's Kevin Porter, followed by North Dakota's Jean-Philippe Lamoureux. Could make for an interesting weekend if CC meets North Dakota in the Broadmoor Trophy game.

And it begins... Michigan Tech's Michael-Lee Teslak is the WCHA's first early departure of the season, signing a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. Teslak is expected to be in uniform for the AHL affiliate Philadelphia Phantoms today.

USCHO.com has more PairWise chatter with senior writer Jayson Moy surmising that Michigan, Miami, New Hampshire, North Dakota and CC are in the hunt for No. 1 seeds. Moy also has Colorado College-Princeton and North Dakota-Notre Dame as the NCAA West Regional pairings, as bracket integrity could send No. 15 or 16 overall seed Air Force packing.

The Denver Post's Mark Kiszla has a column on Richard Bachman today.

Killing Time 'Til The Final Five

2008-03-18T12:15:00.004-06:00

Here's some links I've meant to post in this crazy time of the season:

Chad Rau and Richard Bachman were named to Inside College Hockey's All-WCHA team and defenseman Jack Hillen was named Breakthrough Player of the Year.

Want to get the inside scoop on Denver hockey? You can join in on DU's live chat with George Gwozdecky on Wednesday at 2.

College Hockey News gives you the chance to take matters into your own hands with their "You Are The Committee" feature.

Recruit Colten St. Clair will attend the NTDP try-out camp this weekend in Ann Arbor, Mich. See the list.

Here's the schedule for this weekend:
Minnesota vs. St. Cloud State, 6:07 p.m. MT

Games for Friday, March 21
Semi-Final: Denver vs. North Dakota, 1:07 p.m. MT
Semi-Final: Play-in winner vs. Colorado College, 6:07 p.m. MT

Games for Saturday, March 22
Third-place Game, 1:07 p.m. MT
Broadmoor Trophy Championship Game, 6:07 p.m. MT

Update on Minnesota's Tom Pohl

2008-03-18T11:43:00.003-06:00

Minnesota senior Tom Pohl sustained a skull fracture in Sunday's 3-2 double-overtime win over Minnesota State-Mankato and underwent surgery Monday at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minn, according to news reports (Minneapolis Star-Tribune here).

On this morning's WCHA Final Five conference call, Gophers coach Don Lucia had an update on Pohl, whom he visited Monday afternoon.

"He was talkative," Lucia said. "The last 24 hours were crucial to make sure there was no more bleeding, and that has not happened. They are hopeful that he might get out of the ICU today. It was a scary situation. We're very thankful to the staff at Minnesota State and how they handled it in a professional manner. It was a very scary situation. ..I don't think there was any ill will on the part of the Mankato player (Jason Wiley). I do think the major cause of injury was because his helmet came off. He was unconscious when he hit the ice."

Pohl could be out of the hospital in three or four days, Lucia said. "He did look good and sound good even though he had just come out of surgery earlier in the day."

Earlier in the call, WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod indicated that there would not be any supplementary discipline on the part of the league.

"I want to say on behalf of the WCHA that our thoughts and prayers are with Tom and his family," McLeod said. "As for the Minnesota State player, he’s having a very tough time with the situation. He is very concerned about what happened. They lost touch with him for a little while yesterday. He’s been very contrite and feels terrible about the whole situation. We automatically review all major penalties especially DQ's (disqualifications). ...By the tape it seemed there was no maliciousness and that there wasn’t a strong degree of intent there at all. ...It’s a tough situation for everybody, but we hope in the end that Tom will come through in good shape."

Tigers Rise To Two-Spot

2008-03-18T09:38:00.005-06:00

CC is ranked No. 2 in both national polls this week and no. 1 in Inside College Hockey's power rankings (here), but frankly, it's irrelevant at this point.

Check out the PairWise rankings below. These rankings are used to simulate the selection process used by the NCAA to seed the tournament. So, as of now, the Tigers are fourth overall and if the tournament started today, would be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA West Regional at World Arena.

Miami jumped up to no. 2 after Northern Michigan upset Michigan State in the CCHA playoffs. Northern Michigan had fallen out as a "team under consideration" (A TUC is a team in the top 25 of the Ratings Percentage Index), but after the upset, rebounded to No. 23 in the PairWise. As a result, Miami once again had 10 TUC's, the necessary number required to have their record against TUC's considered.

Coach Scott Owens said Monday he believes the Tigers will finish between Nos. 2 and 5 in the PairWise.

Some things to note:
--Although CC doesn't need to worry about this, Colgate upset Clarkson, which is tied for ninth in the PairWise, in the ECAC playoffs. As a result, the ECAC's automatic bid will come from another ECAC school (Cornell, Harvard, Princeton or Colgate), meaning the bubble shrunk for Wisconsin and Minnesota State-Mankato, both of whom will be idle this weekend.
--With Niagara and Air Force's wins, the number of available spots shrinks to 13.
--If Vermont or Boston University should win the Hockey East tournament over New Hampshire or Boston College, the number of available spots goes to 12, meaning Minnesota
would make the tournament.
--If the whole PairWise thing makes your head hurt, head over to collegehockeynews.com and check out their PairWise primer.

PairWise Rankings (PWR)

			Record			RPI
Rk	Team	PWR	Rk	W-L-T	Win %	Rk	RPI
1	Michigan	24	2	29-5-4	.8158	1	.5919*
2	Miami	23	1	31-6-1	.8289	4	.5831*
3	New Hampshire	22	4	25-8-3	.7361	5	.5764
4	Colorado College	21	3	28-9-1	.7500	2	.5906
5	North Dakota	20	5	25-9-4	.7105	3	.5838
6t	Boston College	18	12	19-11-8	.6053	9	.5421
6t	Denver	18	8	24-13-1	.6447	6	.5615
8	St. Cloud State	17	17	19-14-5	.5658	8	.5443
9t	Michigan State	16	7	24-11-5	.6625	7	.5510
9t	Clarkson	16	11	21-12-4	.6216	10	.5367
11	Minnesota	14	26	17-15-9	.5244	12	.5284
12	Notre Dame	13	9	24-13-4	.6341	11	.5363
13t	Minnesota State	11	20t	19-16-4	.5385	13	.5276
13t	Wisconsin	11	31	15-16-7	.4868	14	.5243
15	Harvard	9	19	16-12-4	.5625	17	.5204
16t	Princeton	7	14	19-13-0	.5938	16	.5240
16t	Vermont	7	23	16-14-7	.5270	18	.5191
18t	Boston University	6	20t	19-16-4	.5385	15	.5242
18t	Minnesota-Duluth	6	40	13-17-6	.4444	20	.5143
20	Massachusetts	5	35	14-16-6	.4722	25	.5079
21t	Cornell	4	15	18-13-3	.5735	19	.5187
21t	Niagara	4	6	22-10-4	.6667	21	.5113
23t	Michigan Tech	3	43	14-20-5	.4231	22	.5104
23t	Northern Michigan	3	29t	19-19-4	.5000	24	.5079
25	Quinnipiac	2	18	20-15-4	.5641	23	.5090

Rivalry At Regional?

2008-03-16T23:20:00.001-06:00

If CC earns a no. 1 seed for the NCAA tournament, it could meet in-town rival Air Force in the NCAA West Regional at World Arena on March 28.

Air Force won the Atlantic Hockey tournament in dramatic fashion for the second season in a row, this time topping Mercyhurst 5-4 in double overtime on Sunday in Rochester, N.Y. For more, check out gazette.com/sports.

CC edged the Falcons 2-1 in January, so the idea of a rematch is rife with potential storylines. With two weeks until the regional, Air Force's Eric Ehn, Hobey Baker top-three finalist last season, could be fully recovered from the broken fibula he suffered in a third-period collision with Tigers left wing Bill Sweatt. Also, last season, Air Force took top-seeded Minnesota to the wire in the NCAA West Regional at Pepsi Center.

Tigers on Local TV This Week

2008-03-16T16:08:00.004-06:00

KOAA (Channels 5 & 30) will carry a live telecast of Friday's WCHA Final Five semifinal game between CC and the winner of the No. 4-No. 5 seed play-in game, which will be played at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

The telecast will begin at 6 p.m. in Southern Colorado.

The winner of the game advances to the Broadmoor Trophy championship contest, set for 6 p.m. Saturday, which will be carried on FSN-Rocky Mountain.

--
CC, Denver and St. Cloud State punched tickets to the Final Five, but North Dakota-Michigan Tech and Minnesota State-Minnesota went to overtime Saturday. Michigan Tech's Tyler Shelast scored the game-tying and game-winning goals to even the series in Grand Forks, N.D., while Minnesota's Mike Carman scored the game-winner in Mankato. The decisive third games begin at 6:07 MT.

Grand Forks Herald reporter Brad Elliott Schlossman has links to stories on all of Saturday's WCHA playoff games. Follow this link to see his roundup.

--
The Colorado Broadcasters Association awarded Ken Landau and the 103.9 The Eagle broadcast team with the Best Sports Coverage by a team or individual in Colorado, it was announced Saturday.

CC 3, Alaska-Anchorage 2 (OT--final)

2008-03-15T22:38:00.005-06:00

Colorado College right wing Mike Testwuide charged up the left half-wall, beat Anchorage left wing Josh Lunden, slid the puck through defenseman Luka Vidmar's feet, sliced into the slot, and as he left his feet, slung a wrist shot into the upper right corner to give the Tigers a 3-2 overtime victory over Anchorage. CC advances to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Final Five for the first time in three seasons and will take on the winner of the play-in game on Friday at 6:07 p.m.

"I'm still a little shaky," Testwuide said, all smiles and sweat-drenched after the game. "The guy dove. I think. I don't really know what happened after that. I'm just so excited right now."

This is how left wing Bill Sweatt described the final sequence: "We just went back into the d-zone and (Jack Hillen) threw it up the wall to me. It hit my skate and deflected out of the zone. Wuider (Mike Testwuide) just took it. He came across the ice with speed and he just bulldozed those guys and he took his big body to the net and just buried it. That's all I can say. ...All of a sudden, he beats the guy and he's falling down but he gets the shot off. Then I see it just going into the empty net and I just jump in the air."

Testwuide also scored the game-tying goal in the third period.

When asked about it, Testwuide needed a little reminder.

"Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah," he said, nodding with faint recognition. "I got the puck and I waited and waited. The guy went down on his knees--waited. I knew I was going to bury it five-hole. I let it go as hard as I could and it went in the net."

All around, the Tigers admitted it was a shaky start to their playoff run.

Said coach Scott Owens: "It's nice not to have to play a third game this time of the year. Even if you're fortunate enough to win that third game, it takes a toll on your team when you're playing so many meaninigful games right now. I'm proud of our guys. They didn't get panicked. We're 2-1 going into the third period and found a way to win the game."

CC is in a three-way tie for second in the PairWise rankings (USCHO.com, College Hockey News), which are used to simulate the NCAA tournament selection process.

The Tigers will return to the World Arena — where they have an 18-2 record — for the NCAA West Regional on March 28.

CC 1, UAA 2 (end of 2nd)

2008-03-15T20:30:00.005-06:00

The Tigers have an uphill battle on their hands after giving up a goal with 3:23 left in the period.
Defensemen Jake Gannon and Kris Fredheim and the top line of Chad Rau, Mike Testwuide and Bill Sweatt all froze in their tracks as Anchorage left wing Josh Lunden walked into the slot from the right half-wall and slung a wrist shot on net, which beat goaltender Richard Bachman gloveside. It was the type of goal that leaves one wondering if the CC players thought they heard a whistle.
No. 9-seed Michigan Tech forced overtime with No. 2-seed North Dakota in Grand Forks, so it could be an interesting Sunday in the WCHA.

CC 1, UAA 1 (10:00, 2nd period)

2008-03-15T20:07:00.004-06:00

After getting outhit and outworked for much of the first period, the Tigers came out with a furious effort in the second. CC couldn't score on a four-on-three opportunity, despite quality scoring opportunities by on shots by center Chad Rau, defenseman Jack Hillen and center Andreas Vlassopoulos. At 4:22, just as all of the players were released from the penalty box, left wing Bill Sweatt knocked in right wing Mike Testwuide's backhanded centering pass.

Anchorage took the lead just 6:05 into the first when defenseman Kane LaFranchise rocketed a shot from the top of the left circle through traffic and past goaltender Richard Bachman.

WCHA Playoffs: Game 2 vs. Alaska-Anchorage

2008-03-15T19:02:00.004-06:00

Lines:
Colorado College
21 Sweatt--14 Rau--25 Testwuide
26 McCulloch--19 Vlassopoulos--23 Kilpatrick
10 Thauwald--17 Johnson--22 Walsky
5 DeBoer--9 McMillin--16 Patrosso

8 Hillen--15 Prosser
7 Fredheim--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery

30 Bachman
31 O'Connell
1 O'Brien

Alaska-Anchorage
21 Lunden--20 Crowder--14 Waldrop
9 Clark--37 Cartwright--7 DayChief
24 Tassone--17 Parkinson--18 Tarkir
28 Haddad--34 McCabe--8 Selby

4 LaFranchise--33 Robinson
5 Beaverson--22 Tuton
42 Hunt--23 Vidmar

30 Olthuis
1 Christianson

No. 3 CC 4, Alaska-Anchorage 1 (final)

2008-03-14T21:56:00.001-06:00

No. 3 Colorado College scored 37 seconds into the game and never trailed, winning 4-1 over last-place Alaska-Anchorage in the first round of Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs.

Anchorage, a team that has only won once in its last 18 games, was determined to make it tough for the WCHA champions.

But freshman center Tyler Johnson had a goal and an assist and defenseman Jack Hillen added two assists.

CC, which has not advanced to the WCHA Final Five since 2004-05, will try to punch its ticket to the St. Paul, Minn., starting at 7:07 p.m. Saturday at World Arena.

CC 1, Anchorage 1 (9:19 of 2nd)

2008-03-14T20:42:00.002-06:00

If you ask me, CC could use a good jolt. The Tigers' transition isn't there right now because Anchorage is doing a nice job of executing its game plan to frustrate CC to no end. That means being pesky and finishing checks all over the ice. The Tigers need to develop their playoff mentality. Defenseman Jake Gannon's hit may have helped. He just rocked an Anchorage player against the glass.

CC 1, Anchorage 1 (2:15 of 2nd period)

2008-03-14T20:33:00.002-06:00

Colorado College gave up its second power-play goal in as many games when Anchorage center Brad McCabe knocked in a diagonal pass from teammate Josh Lunden, who was at the top of the left circle.

CC 1, Anchorage 0 (:37 of first period)

2008-03-14T19:39:00.004-06:00

Anchorage picked a poor time for a line change. Thinking they'd put the puck deep in CC's zone, the Seawolves went for a change, but defenseman Nate Prosser had batted the puck down and put it ahead into the neutral zone for teammate Jack Hillen, who promptly carried it up the ice. Hillen put the puck into the offensive zone and left wing Bill Sweatt got it behind the net. Sweatt's pass from behind the net was one-timed backdoor by right wing Mike Testwuide. Not the start Anchorage was looking for against top-seeded CC. Exactly the start the Tigers wanted coming off of an emotional weekend against Denver.

WCHA Playoffs: Game 1 vs. Alaska-Anchorage

2008-03-14T19:19:00.002-06:00

Lines:
No. 1 seed Colorado College
21 Sweatt--14 Rau--25 Testwuide
26 McCulloch--19 Vlassopoulos--23 Kilpatrick
10 Thauwald--17 Johnson--22 Walsky
18 Overman--9 McMillin--16 Patrosso

8 Hillen--15 Prosser
7 Fredheim--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery

30 Bachman
31 O'Connell
1 O'Brien

No. 10 seed Alaska-Anchorage
21 Josh Lunden--20 Paul Crowder--14 Merit Waldrop
9 Kevin Clark--37 Peter Cartwright--16 Tommy Grant
24 Blair Tassone--17 Craig Parkinson--18 Chris Tarkir
28 Nick Haddad--34 Brad McCabe--8 Ken Selby

4 Kane LaFranchise--33 Mat Robinson
5 Luke Beaverson--22 Jared Tuton
42 Trevor Hunt--23 Luka Vidmar

30 Jon Olthuis
1 Bryce Christianson

First-round playoffs vs. Alaska-Anchorage

2008-03-13T19:10:00.004-06:00

CC clipped through a series of transition drills two minutes at a time in a quick 45-minute skate Thursday.

From the notebook:
--The Tigers hit the post several times in shooting drills.
--Back-up goaltender Drew O'Connell looked confident and ready to go this weekend if needed.
--One of the funnier moments of practice this season happened towards the end of practice when coach Scott Owens told the top power-play unit to use the full ice to run the power play and "try to be really (bad) because they're watching." Alaska-Anchorage was in the stands near the visitors' side. Defenseman Jack Hillen ripped a shot from the high slot which bounced off the right post, hit the left post and smacked against the back of the net -- a gorgeous shot -- to which Owens said with a grin: "What did I just say?"
--Defenseman/forward Brett Wysopal did not practice (sick-virus).
--Players were reminded to set their alarms and get up for breakfast Friday because they don't have class. CC is on Spring Break until March 24.
--Right wing Derek Patrosso will play on the fourth line and goaltender Richard Bachman will be in goal on Friday, Owens said.
--Anchorage arrived in Colorado Springs on Tuesday, as it did in January's series.

Projected CC lines for Friday:
21 Bill Sweatt--14 Chad Rau--25 Mike Testwuide
26 Scott McCulloch--19 Andreas Vlassopoulos--23 Jimmy Kilpatrick
10 Scott Thauwald--17 Tyler Johnson--22 Eric Walsky
18 Matt Overman--9 Brian McMillin--16 Derek Patrosso

Fun facts:
--The Tigers finished with a league-best 92.9 percent clip on the penalty kill in WCHA play (104 for 112). Their overall mark is 91 percent (131 for 144). CC allowed just eight power-play goals while scoring eight short-handed goals in 28 conference games.
--CC's last home sweep against a WCHA team came against Anchorage in January. The Tigers split with their final two WCHA opponents at World Arena
--The last time CC gave up a shorthanded goal was against Anchorage on Jan. 12
--CC hasn't won more than three games in a row since it put together a six-game winning streak between Jan. 4 and Jan.19, which ended with a tie at Michigan Tech on Jan. 25.

History:
--Alaska-Anchorage has only won once in 20 games at World Arena, a 5-4 overtime victory last season.
--Friday is the 60th all-time contest between CC and Anchorage, with the Tigers leading the series 45-11-3, including a 30-2 mark in Colorado Springs.
--In seven previous post-season games, CC swept the first-round series at home in 1995, 2002 and 2003, while Anchorage won the play-in Final Five game in 2004. Captain Scott Thauwald played right wing in that game as a freshman.
--During that 1995 series, CC set a school playoff record for goals in a game with an 11-3 win over the Seawolves on March 10, 1995. Eric Rud had five assists in that series, also a school playoff record.
--CC's all-time record in WCHA playoff games is 42-56-1 (.429).
--Of the nine regular-season championships CC has won in its 70-year history, six have happened in the last 15 seasons and three in the last six seasons.

Ticket Info for Alaska-Anchorage

2008-03-13T13:28:00.003-06:00

Plenty of tickets remain for this weekend's first-round WCHA playoff series against Alaska-Anchorage:

1,267 for Friday

1,118 for Saturday

Tickets can be purchased via cctigers.com, at World Arena box office or by calling 576.2626.

Wednesday Practice Notes

2008-03-13T13:22:00.001-06:00

In their first of two practices before WCHA playoffs begin Friday against Alaska-Anchorage, the Tigers ramped up the intensity for an hour-long skate. Captain Scott Thauwald reminded players to connect their passes. "Tape-to-tape," he said. At the end of practice, right wing Derek Patrosso led stretches at center ice. Patrosso looked fast, lean and fit at the end of his first practice since late November.

Lines:
Sweatt--Rau--Testwuide
McCulloch--Dre--Kilpatrick
Thauwald--Johnson--Walsky
Overman--McMillin--Patrosso
DeBoer--Quilico
--
Kate Crandall

Patrosso Returns Today

2008-03-12T08:32:00.004-06:00

Suspended for three months for an undisclosed student-conduct violation, senior right wing Derek Patrosso will practice today for the first time since he suffered a high-ankle sprain in late November and will join the Tigers in the locker room for the first time since he was suspended in late December.

Here are some of Patrosso's comments that didn't make the story:

Q: What have you been doing to stay in shape?
A: I'd wake up and have an intense bike workout. Then, I'd skate with that midget team (Detroit Little Caesar's AAA) if they were skating. If there was open ice, I would just skate myself. I also did some power skating with a former figure skater. At the end, she'd condition me as well. I tried to do as much skating as I could and I think it's helped a lot. ...I lifted too.

Q: For those of us who aren't into ice skating (maybe if I'd tried it with padded shorts and knee pads, I'd feel differently), can you explain power skating and the purpose of the workouts with the figure skater?
A: She works with a lot of hockey players in the Detroit area. She corrects your skating and your form. She watches you skate and looks at your form to make some corrections. It's an hour-long conditioning skate. At the end of it, my legs are just killing. It's a lot of one-legged skating and that one leg gets really tired. Basically, it's designed so you can push off stronger and so you can recover quicker when you're skating. That's the stuff that gets the legs and the lungs going. I've had help from her in the past, but it's the first time for a conditioning reason.

Q: How long do you think it will take for you to regain "game shape"?
A: I think all of the conditioning will help me get there much quicker. You've got to be realistic with yourself, too. I haven't played in three or four months. I definitely think all of the stuff will help me be able to compete and play and help the team when I get out there. It's probably going to take a game or two.

Q: Was it hard to miss senior night (last Saturday) and the presentation of the MacNaughton Cup?
A: Yeah, it was tough. But I've just tried to focus on the positives. I get to join the team again (today). All I've done is concentrate on preparing myself to be the best I can for that, rather than sit and dwell on what I'm missing.

Q: How much did you follow the team while you were home in Michigan and what do you think of how they've done?
A: Not too much really. I didn't really talk to any of the guys. I kind of did my own thing. I'd listen to a few games here and there. I had a good idea 10 games into the year that we'd be able to compete for the national championship. It was hard to listen to. It made me focus on negative things. I just chose not to. I tried not to dwell on what I could have done differently and what I was missing out on and watching them made me do that. I chose to worry about myself and think of the positive things. If the team was 5-25, I still would have joined them (today).

Q: So, final thoughts before practice? Nerves? Excitement?
A: I'm just excited to join the team. The team's done so well. I'm excited to get back in the locker room and be around the guys and try to be an older guy. I've been there. I haven't been in this position exactly before, so I'm a little bit nervous too. But for the most part, I'm excited to be back for the most exciting time of year. ...I'm just trying to make the most of it while I can.

MacNaughton Cup and Gold Pan on display tonight

2008-03-11T16:21:00.002-06:00

I just got word that fans will be able to see the trophies up close and personal tonight at Scott Owens' radio show at McCabe's Tavern at 520 S. Tejon St. The show starts at 6:30 and lasts until 7:30.

Rau Named WCHA Offensive Player of the Week

2008-03-11T16:03:00.002-06:00

Center Chad Rau, who had two goals and an assist in last weekend's sweep of Denver, was named WCHA Offensive Player of the Week Tuesday. Rau has registered at least a point in each of his 12 career games against the Pioneers, totaling 19 of his 101 career points (18.8 percent).

Rau missed tying for the league scoring title by a point to St. Cloud State's Ryan Lasch (17 goals, 17 assists). But Rau's 23 goals in conference play were tops in the WCHA and his 0.82 goals per game was 0.19 more than Lasch's. In overall scoring, Rau finished fourth with 40 points (27 goals, 13 assists), but again had the most goals of any WCHA player.

March 11, 2008/For Immediate Release

CC’s Rau, UND’s Lamoureux, SCSU’s Weslosky Named Red Baron® WCHA Players of the Week

Red Baron® WCHA Offensive Player of the Week
Chad Rau
Jr., F, Colorado College

MADISON, Wis. – Colorado College center Chad Rau, who produced two goals and one assist while helping his Tigers clinch the 2007-08 WCHA regular season championship with a home-and-home sweep of archrival Denver last weekend, has been named Red Baron WCHA Offensive Player of the Week for March 11. Rau also earned the weekly offensive honor on Nov. 20 (vs UW) and on Nov. 27 (vs DU).

A 5-11, 184-pound junior from Eden Prairie, Minn., Rau scored a pair of goals just :12 seconds apart in the third period last Friday (March 7) night at DU’s Magness Arena, breaking open a 3-2 game and propelling CC on to a 5-2 victory that clinched the league title and MacNaughton Cup.

Then last Saturday evening back at the Colorado Springs World Arena, Rau assisted on a second-period goal by teammate Bill Sweatt in a 3-1 victory over the Pioneers.

In addition to his three points, Rau also fired eight shots on goal in the two-game series and earned a +3 plus-minus rating.

On the season, Rau leads Colorado College in scoring and is fourth among WCHA players overall with 40 points (27g, 13a) in 35 games played. His 27 goals ranks second nationally.

The No. 3-ranked Tigers (26-9-1) play host to Alaska-Anchorage this weekend (March 14-16) in a first round, best-of-3 WCHA playoff series at Colorado Springs World Arena.

Red Baron® WCHA co-Defensive Players of the Week
Jean-Philippe Lamoureux
Sr., G, North Dakota
and
Jase Weslosky
Sr., G, North Dakota

MADISON, Wis. – A pair of goaltenders who dueled each other to a pair of overtime ties last weekend – Jean-Philippe Lamoureux of the University of North Dakota and Jase Weslosky of St. Cloud State University, have been named Red Baron® WCHA co-Defensive Players of the Week for March 11.

A 5-8, 152-pound senior from Grand Forks, N.D., Lamoureux stopped 48 of 51 shots on goal for a .941 saves percentage in the 1-1 (ot) and 2-2 (ot) ties, recorded five shutout periods (including two overtimes), and allowed only one even-strength goal.

His efforts enabled Lamoureux to win the 2007-08 WCHA goaltending title with a 1.74 goals-against average in league play. He also leads the nation in overall goals-against average at 1.66, is tied for the national lead in saves percentage at .934, and sports a 22-8-4 record over 2,025:28 of playing time. He previously won the weekly defensive honor on Dec. 4 (@ DU) and March 4 (@ UMD).

Weslosky, a 6-2, 185-pound sophomore from Edmonton, Alberta, stopped 57 of 60 shots on goal for a .950 saves percentage in the two overtime ties at North Dakota on March 7-8, recording five shutout periods (including two overtimes) and allowing just two even-strength goals in the series.

In the 1-1 tie last Friday, Weslosky stopped 29 of 30 shots as the Huskies were outshot, 30-18. Then in the 2-2 tie last Saturday, he kicked out 28 of 30 UND shots on goal, including 16 in the second period.

The two ties enabled St. Cloud State (17-14-5) to secure a share of fourth place in the final regular season standings and earn the fifth and final home playoff berth for this weekend’s opening round. The Huskies will host Wisconsin at the National Hockey Center on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (if necessary).

On the season, Weslosky sports a 14-11-2 overall record with a 2.14 goals-against average and a .929 saves percentage. Weslosky previously earned the weekly defensive honor on Feb. 26 (vs MTU).

Also nominated for the award this week were: Jack Hillen, D, CC; Geoff Kinrade, D, MTU; and Alex Stalock, G, UMD.

No. 5 CC 3, No. 7 Denver 0 (14:17 of the 2nd)

2008-03-08T20:13:00.004-07:00

Well, a scuffle just broke out in CC's defensive zone after Denver's J.P. Testwuide rushed a puck barely covered by goaltender Drew O'Connell, so I'll take a little time to brief you.

DU's Tom May and CC's Scott McCulloch were each given roughing and 10-minute misconduct penalties.

CC's Brian Connelly, who pointed to the scoreboard when Denver players began hassling him, was sent to the box for instigating-roughing as was Pioneers left wing Stephen Cunningham.

Earlier in the period, CC took a 3-0 lead when referee Derek Shepherd upheld a goal by left wing Bill Sweatt. Goaltender Peter Mannino, who was pulled with 37:23 left in regulation, argued the call, pleading his case to Shepherd and the Denver coaches. The replay showed that CC right wing Mike Testwuide bumped Mannino before the goal, but it was not ruled interference.

No. 5 CC vs. No. 7 Denver

2008-03-08T18:56:00.003-07:00

Lines:
Colorado College
21 Sweatt--14 Rau--25 Testwuide
26 McCulloch--19 Vlassopoulos--23 Kilpatrick
10 Thauwald--17 Johnson--22 Walsky
5 DeBoer--9McMillin--18 Overman

8 HIllen--15 Prosser
7 Fredheim--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--27 Wysopal

31 O'Connell
30 Bachman
1 O'Brien

Denver
19 Ostrow--21 Bozak--15 Ruegsegger
9 Rakhshani--12 Martin--16 Maiani
17 Glasser--22 Gifford--8 Jackson
10 Cunningham--27 Vossberg--14 May

4 Butler--25 Brookwell
6 Nutini--5 Thomas
11 Testwuide--7 Mullen

29 Mannino
1 Cheverie

No. 5 CC 5, No. 7 Denver 2 (final) CC--2007-08 MacNaughton Cup Champions

2008-03-07T22:54:00.004-07:00

Colorado College captured the MacNaughton Cup outright and the Gold Pan in one fell swoop Friday, winning 5-2 over rival Denver.

For those of you holding tickets to Saturday's sold-out game at World Arena, fear not. The Tigers want to curb their Saturday-night losing streak.

"We've got to take care of business tomorrow," captain Scott Thauwald said. "That game's going to matter in the PairWise and we don't want to have a let down after a big emotional win."

Coach Scott Owens said after the game, however, that he is not sure if he will play or rest goaltender Richard Bachman.

"We're going to talk about it," Owens said. "In some ways (resting) is the prudent thing to do. In other ways, you're playing Denver and you're playing a sold-out building and you're playing for the PairWise."

If it's left up to Bachman, he'll play.

"I don't want a break," he said. "I want to play them again tomorrow night."

Center Chad Rau hit the 100-point mark barrier with two goals in 12 seconds early in the third period. His 99th point came on a blazing shot from the left circle that didn't even draw a flinch goaltender Peter Mannino.

"I thought that was an NHL shot," Owens said.

No. 5 CC 1, No. 7 DU 0 (end of 1st period)

2008-03-07T20:19:00.005-07:00

Colorado College captain Scott Thauwald scored the only first-period goal only 2:17 into the first period, his fourth of the season and first since a short-handed tally with less than seven minutes left in CC's 5-2 win over Clarkson on Feb. 1.
Thauwald's shot from the right circle came off of a pass by right wing Eric Walsky and beat goaltender Peter Mannino five-hole.
For much of the period, CC was dictating the tempo with its puck possession and checking.
Tigers goaltender Richard Bachman's best save came on a play with about 4:30 left in the period, when Denver freshmen Kyle Ostrow and Jesse Martin spread out defensemen Jake Gannon and Kris Fredheim. With Ostrow streaking into the slot, Bachman came out to challenge Martin's shot from the right circle and caught it with his right foot.
Just like in November's game at Magness, there was trouble with the clock. It stopped at about 5:09 and may have caused referee Derek Shepherd to not review a play in which Thauwald came out of the penalty box for a two-on-one with left wing Scott McCulloch. Thauwald's shot went into Mannino, who was knocked into his own net by a teammate. The puck looked to be under his stomach, which had crossed into the goalmouth.
CC starts the second period with 1:52 of power play.

No. 5 CC at No. 7 Denver

2008-03-07T19:38:00.002-07:00

Lines:
Colorado College
21 Sweatt--14 Rau--25 Testwuide
26 McCulloch--19 Vlassopoulos--23 Kilpatrick
10 Thauwald--17 Johnson--22 Walsky
5 DeBoer--9 McMillin--18 Overman

8 Hillen--15 Prosser
7 Fredheim--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery

30 Bachman
31 O'Connell

Denver
9 Rakhshani--21 Bozak--15 Ruegsegger
19 Ostrow--12 Martin--16 Maiani
17 Glasser--22 Gifford--8 Jackson
14 May--26 Marcuzzi--27 Vossberg

4 Butler--25 Brookwell
6 Nutini--5 Thomas
11 Testwuide--7 Mullen

29 Mannino
1 Cheverie
30 Guinn

Newsflash: Tickets for CC-DU at World Arena available!

2008-03-06T15:15:00.003-07:00

Saturday's game between CC and Denver has been sold out for two weeks, but Denver just returned 64 tickets to CC, according to CC athletic marketing director Scott Lowenberg.

As of 3:10 p.m. Thursday, there are 64 tickets at $20 each available through cctigers.com or TicketsWest (576-2626).

Injury Update for CC-DU Series

2008-03-05T15:03:00.005-07:00

For CC:
--Right wing Addison DeBoer returned to practice for the first time since he was injured Feb. 22 at Minnesota-Duluth. DeBoer had separated his left shoulder, but looked strong during a 45-minute skate involving a lot of shooting drills. DeBoer was wearing a noncontact jersey.
--Defenseman Kris Fredheim, who missed six games with a shoulder injury earlier this season, was back at practice Tuesday after missing the second half of Saturday's game against Minnesota State-Mankato with what he termed an "upper-body injury." Fredheim was also in a noncontact jersey.
--Goaltender Richard Bachman, defensemen Jack Hillen and Jake Gannon, and right wing Eric Walsky took Tuesday's practice off. As the season winds down, coach Scott Owens will often designate off days for certain players to keep them healthy and fresh down the stretch.

I'm at Denver today working on material for this weekend's series and I also attended the 2008 Frozen Four press conference (separate posting above), where I spoke to Denver coach George Gwozdecky.

Gwozdecky had this to say about sophomore Tyler Ruegsegger, who has been out for a month with a groin injury but returned to practice this week:
"He did not have a lot of negative effects from practice. Obviously, his conditioning and his timing are not there because he's been off for a month. But the biggest issue with his injury was not as big of a problem as he thought it was going to be. So, he's made some great progress. You've got to give a lot of credit to our medical staff and Tyler because they've worked tirelessly on his rehab. There is a good chance that he will be in the lineup Friday and, if not Friday, Saturday."

Ruegsegger had 10 goals and 10 assists in 24 games before his injury, including a goal and an assist in Denver's 3-2 win over CC at Magness Arena in November.

No. 10 Minnesota State-Mankato 3, No. 4 CC 2 (OT)

2008-03-01T22:34:00.004-07:00

Not only does Colorado College have to wait another week to clinch at least a share of the MacNaughton Cup, the Tigers will have to win a game over their archrival, No. 7 Denver, meaning there's more than just the Gold Pan at stake next weekend.

"There's a lot of hardware on the line," right wing Jimmy Kilpatrick said. "You've got the Gold Pan, you've got the MacNaughton. It's a huge rivalry and the biggest thing is getting the momentum back after a tough loss tonight."

The locker room was deathly silent after CC was stunned 16 seconds into overtime (and over the course of the third period) when Mankato right wing Kael Mouillierat slammed the puck into goaltender Richard Bachman's pads with such force that it flipped into the net.

The Tigers won 44 of 73 faceoffs (60 percent) Saturday, but two of those lost draws resulted in Mankato's comeback. The Mavericks scored two goals off faceoffs in less than 5 minutes early in the third period.

Center Chad Rau, who lost a draw to Andrew Sackrison that set-up Mankato's first goal, summed it up best.

"Letting up the lead in our own building. . . . It stinks," he said.

No. 4 CC 0, No. 10 Minnesota State-Mankato 0 (end of 1st period)

2008-03-01T19:39:00.003-07:00

It's scoreless after a sleeper of a first period in which CC had a few fast breaks and not much sustained pressure. Minnesota State-Mankato, on the other hand, was able to maintain pressure in CC's offensive zone, but couldn't get much to the net until the end of the period. The Mavericks' best opportunity came with about four minutes left in the period when right wing Kael Mouillierat put a shot on net. Goaltender Richard Bachman stretched out to cover the rebound with his glove, but it slipped out and Mouillierat got another chance. But Bachman, desperate to cover his right post, whirled around and, with his back to the play, knocked Mouillierat's shot wide with his glove.

No. 4 CC vs. No. 10 Minnesota State-Mankato

2008-03-01T18:54:00.003-07:00

CC puts its 15-1 home ice advantage to the test as it tries to capture at least a share of the MacNaughton Cup against Minnesota State-Mankato tonight. If North Dakota loses or ties Sunday, the Tigers will win the Cup outright if the Tigers win. But first, CC needs a few things to ensure the win:
1. Limit odd-man rushes. Minnesota State-Mankato created several breaks off of forced turnovers and took advantage of when CC's defensemen were sagging back and not challenging the play.
2. Richard Bachman. No doubt the backbone of this season's Tigers.
3. Speed. For most of Friday's game, CC let Mankato match its speed. The Tigers need to establish the tempo tonight.

Lines:
Colorado College
21 Sweatt--14 Rau--25 Testwuide
26 McCulloch--19 Vlassopoulos--23 Kilpatrick
10 Thauwald--17 Johnson--22 Walsky
18 Overman--9 McMillin--12 Quilico

8 Hillen--15 Prosser
7 Fredheim--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery

30 Bachman
31 O'Connell

Scratches: Tyler O'Brien (sick), Brett Wysopal (healthy), Addison DeBoer (separated shoulder), Dan Quilico (healthy), Stephen Schultz (out for season-concussion)

Minnesota State-Mankato
37 Kalinski--10 Harrison--21 Berge
29 Hanson--23 Bruess--9 Mouillierat
19 Irwin--7 Sackrison--18 Gaulrapp
20 Wiley--13 Gunderson--15 Stewart

22 Davis--4 Kilburg
5 Youds--17 Friesen
25 Linder--2 Canzanello

1 Zacharias
49 Tormey

No. 4 CC 5, No. 10 Minnesota State-Mankato 2 (final)

2008-02-29T23:34:00.005-07:00

At the start, Colorado College just wasn't clicking against Minnesota State-Mankato.
Heck, 90 seconds into the game, already trailing 1-0, center Andreas Vlassopoulos found right wing Jimmy Kilpatrick at the top of the crease with goaltender Mike Zacharias down and out of position, but Kilpatrick's shot on the open net was inexplicably wide right.
Then, something happened not too long after Mankato took a 2-0 lead at 13:42.
Defenseman Jack Hillen began breaking the puck out of CC's zone with aplomb, taking it deep into Mankato's zone to start the cycle and open up space. The Tigers began to finish checks and connect passes.
And then came the comeback:
--CC drew within a goal before the period was out when it clicked on its go-to power-play set with Hillen sending a pass from the high slot to center Chad Rau in the left circle. Against Minnesota-Duluth, Rau had one-time slap shots. Friday, Rau collected the puck and rocketed a wrist shot past Zacharias. It was the third power-play goal in a row to be scored in that fashion.
--Just 25 seconds into the second period, Hillen's slap shot from the top of the right circle tied the score.
--A series of saves by goaltender Richard Bachman while the Tigers killed a 5-on-3 situation--including a windmill denial of right wing Kael Mouillierat destined for a gazillion hits if it ever makes YouTube -- would preserve the tie long enough. Bachman won the praise of the crowd through the 20-save period about 90 seconds later when he spent about 10 seconds trying to figure out where in his pads the puck was hiding.
--A minute or so later, defenseman Kris Fredheim put the puck into a Mankato player's feet as CC's Bill Sweatt emerged from the box. Fredheim recollected the puck and fed left wing Scott Thauwald for a breakaway during which he was hooked by Mankato's Mick Berge.
CC again went on the power play after 43 seconds of 4-on-4. Hillen slid a pass across the top to defenseman Brian Connelly whose wrist shot was tipped by left wing Scott McCulloch past Zacharias to put CC ahead 3-2.
Hillen scored with less than seven minutes left in the third when he crashed the net and the puck passed by Eric Walsky slid down the shaft of his stick, over Zacharias' left shoulder and into the goal.

By the numbers:
--20: Shots in the second period for Mankato. Surprisingly, that exorbitant number has been topped by another CC opponent this season. Minnesota launched 21 shots on goal in the third period of CC's 2-1 overtime win on Oct. 20.
--33: Faceoffs were dead even at 33 apiece. Rau won 14 of 23. Vlassopoulos won 8 of 15.
--If you're counting: Bachman gets better as the game goes on. And as the Tigers allow more shots.
In 28 games this season:
195 first-period saves--17 goals allowed = .919 save percentage
260 second-period saves--18 goals allowed = .935 save percentage
234 third-period saves--13 goals allowed = .947 save percentage
5 overtime saves--0 goals allowed = 1.000 save percentage

No. 4 CC 1, No. 10 Minnesota State-Mankato 2 (end of 1st period)

2008-02-29T20:09:00.005-07:00

The Tigers nearly worked their way out of an early deficit, but Minnesota State goaltender Mike Zacharias played a brilliant first period, saving 13 of 14 shots, including three on a CC power play with less than two minutes to go.
CC went down after 48 seconds when Kael Mouillierat intercepted a pass at the blue line and scored from the left circle. At 13:50, Mavericks center Zach Harrison hit left wing Jon Kalinski as he streaked in the slot. Kalinski made a nifty move and flicked the puck to right wing Mick Berge who finished for the 2-0 lead.
The Tigers capitalized on their first power play, scoring on a play that has provided three of their last four goals. Defenseman Jack Hillen got the puck in the high slot, drew a Minnesota State penalty-killer, and passed to center Chad Rau at the left circle. Rau gathered the puck and ripped a wrist shot past Zacharias' glove side.

Lines:
Colorado College
21 Sweatt--14 Rau--25 Testwuide
26 McCulloch--19 Vlassopoulos--23 Kilpatrick
10 Thauwald--17 Johnson--22 Walsky
27 Wysopal--9 McMillin--18 Overman

8 Hillen--15 Prosser
7 Fredheim--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery

30 Bachman
31 O'Connell
Scratches: Stephen Schultz (season--concussion); Addison DeBoer (1-3 weeks--separated shoulder); Dan Quilico (healthy); Tyler O'Brien (healthy)

Minnesota State-Mankato
37 Kalinski--10 Harrison--21 Berge
29 Hanson--23 Bruess--9 Mouillierat
19 Irwin--7 Sackrison--20 Wiley
12 Galiardi--13 Gunderson--15 Stewart

22 Davis--4 Kilburg
5 Youds--17 Friesen
25 Linder--2 Canzanello

1 Zacharias
49 Tormey

Mankato Eve

2008-02-28T17:55:00.004-07:00

When Colorado College looks back on one weekend that made a difference in its quest for the MacNaughton Cup and a top seed in the NCAA West Regional, it may look no further than the St. Cloud State series.

The Tigers stretched their lead to 4-1 just 24 seconds into the second period in Friday's game (Feb. 8) and went on to win 5-3 after the Huskies put the pressure on.

On Feb. 9, CC suffered its first -- and so far, only -- home loss of the season, falling behind 3-1 after a period and eventually losing 4-2.

That series was sandwiched between two dominating performances: the sweep of Clarkson and the road sweep of Minnesota-Duluth, in which the Tigers shut out Duluth both nights.

Coach Scott Owens hopes CC can become a model of consistency, starting with this weekend's series against No. 10 Minnesota State-Mankato, a squad that has won seven of its past nine.

"As soon as you think it's automatic, that's when you get into trouble," Owens said after the Tigers' final skate before the series in which they could clinch the MacNaughton Cup. "We're on a one-game losing streak at home. We can't go on autopilot and expect to win."

Coming off of the defensive corps' strongest performance of the season last weekend at Duluth, defenseman Jack Hillen said his fellow defensemen have adapted a playoff mentality and hope to cut down on the amount of shots allowed this weekend.

"It was a good lesson after we lost to St. Cloud," said Hillen, the top-scoring Western Collegiate Hockey Association defenseman with 28 points. "We didn't play that well. Against Duluth, we got into a roll a little bit. ... It was maybe a good reminder to play hard every night, that we've got to play well no matter what. But no one's dwelling on the loss."

Captain Scott Thauwald, who returns to the lineup for the first time since Feb. 9, said that if anything, CC's focus and intensity has only increased this week with the knowledge that two wins gives the Tigers a share of the MacNaughton Cup. If North Dakota loses or ties a game at Duluth this weekend, CC will win the Cup outright with two victories over Mankato.

Again, Thauwald pointed to the loss to St. Cloud State as added inspiration in CC's bid for its first regular-season title since it shared one with Denver in 2004-05.

"It wasn't necessarily the worst thing in the world," he said. "It was a good eye-opener. Guys are fired up because we lost the last time we played at home. We're ready to start a new streak here."

Because right wing Stephen Schultz (concussion) will not return to the lineup this season and left wing Addison DeBoer (separated shoulder) will be out this weekend, the Tigers will have just 12 forwards plus converted defenseman Brett Wysopal at their disposal.

Notes:
1,000 tickets remain for Friday's game against Mankato...400 tickets remain for Saturday's game...CC's regular-season finale against Denver on March 8 is sold out.

Anticipated CC lines for Friday:
Bill Sweatt--Chad Rau--Mike Testwuide
Scott McCulloch--Andreas Vlassopoulos--Jimmy Kilpatrick
Scott Thauwald--Tyler Johnson--Eric Walsky
Brett Wysopal or Dan Quilico--Brian McMillin--Matt Overman

Kilpatrick Selected For Frozen Four Skills Challenge

2008-02-28T12:34:00.003-07:00

This season has been remarkable for senior right wing Jimmy Kilpatrick, who thought he might miss the first two months of the season because of hip surgery in August. Instead, the New Prague, Minn., native returned in the third game and is second on the team in goals and third in points. The NCAA announced this morning that Kilpatrick will be at the Frozen Four even if the Tigers aren't.

NCAA Announces 2008 Frozen Four Skills Challenge Participants
WCHA Players Include CC’s Kilpatrick, DU’s Thomas & Mannino; OSU’s Bonhomme, UM’s Ross, UMD’s Demeule, MSU’s Kehler, SCSU’s Fast

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The NCAA has announced the participants for the third annual Frozen Four Skills Challenge, which will be held April 11 at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

The competition will be conducted in an East versus West format with each team having six male position players, six female position players, two male goaltenders and two female goaltenders. An alternate list has been established in the event that players have to withdraw from the competition due to other commitments, such as their team’s participation in the Men's Frozen Four.

To be eligible, all players must have exhausted their collegiate eligibility and be nominated by their head coach. The players were selected by representatives from the American Hockey Coaches Association, the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Committee and NCAA national office staff. The competitions will include puck control relay, fastest skater, hardest shot, rapid fire shooting, accuracy shooting and penalty shot. Each competitor will receive a complete set of equipment and a full uniform from Nike Bauer Hockey.

"The Frozen Four Skills Challenge has really taken off as an event," said Joel Maturi, chair of the Division I Men's Ice Hockey Committee and director of athletics at the University of Minnesota. "Each year the caliber of the student-athletes in this competition has gotten stronger and stronger, and we feel this year is no different. The Skills Challenge will once again be a showcase of the nation’s best senior student-athletes."

The men's portion of the East squad is highlighted by the one of the nation's current leading goaltenders, Kevin Regan of New Hampshire. The other goaltender is David Leggio from Clarkson. The six male skaters on the East squad include Luke Flicek, Army; Michael Brennan, Boston College; Pete MacArthur, Boston University; Jesse Winchester, Colgate; Jon Rheault, Providence and Jake Morissette, RPI.

The female skaters on the East squad include Hayley Moore, Brown; Jaclyn Hawkins, Connecticut; Martine Garland, New Hampshire; Jennifer Hitchcock, New Hampshire; Marykate Oakley, Princeton and Sabrina Harbec, St. Lawrence. The goalies will be Sarah Perry, Sacred Heart and Meghan Guckian, St. Lawrence.

The West team is led by the nation’s leading point scorer, Michigan’s Kevin Porter, who has 51 points on 25 goals and 26 assists. The rest of the skaters include Jimmy Kilpatrick, Colorado College; Andrew Thomas, Denver; Bryan Lerg, Michigan State; Tommy Goebel, Ohio State and Mike Forgie, Wayne State (Mich.). The West goaltenders will be St. Norbert’s Kyle Jones, who leads Division III with a goals against average of 1.18, and Denver’s Peter Mannino, who was the 2006 Men’s Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player.

The women's portion of the West roster includes Ohio State’s Tessa Bonhomme, who is in the top 10 in the nation in assists with 27. Also on the team is Courtney DeHoey, Lake Forest; Karine Demeule, Minnesota Duluth; Bobbi Ross, Minnesota; Shannon Moulson, Niagara and Laura Fast, St. Cloud State. The two female goaltenders will be Laura Hosier, Mercyhurst and Britni Kehler, Minnesota State, Mankato.

Tickets for the event are $10 and will go on sale March 1 at the Pepsi Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 303/830-8497. The Frozen Four Skills Challenge will begin at 7 p.m. Mountain time and will be preceded by the Hobey Baker Memorial Award at 5:30 p.m. and the Hockey Humanitarian Award at 6:05 p.m. The Frozen Four Skills Challenge and the Hobey Baker Award will both be shown live on ESPNU.

Bachman Named INCH Player of the Week

2008-02-26T13:00:00.003-07:00

For the second time this season, goaltender Richard Bachman has been tapped as Inside College Hockey's player of the week for his 60-for-60 performance against then-No. 13 Minnesota-Duluth. The Tigers have earned the honor three times overall as right wing Mike Testwuide was named player of the week after the Clarkson series.

Bachman was also tapped as WCHA rookie of the week, the third time this season he has received that honor.

Center Andreas Vlassopoulos, who had two goals and two assists at Duluth, was named WCHA offensive player of the week.

Around the horn:
--I can hardly wait to hear what Jimmy Kilpatrick has to say about this story. Kilpatrick and his sister, Jenna, a freshman on Ohio State's hockey team, trained with an Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter this summer.
--Tough break for former CC right wing James Brannigan. The would-be senior was released from the Augusta Lynx (ECHL) for the second time last week. He had eight points in 20 games.

No. 4 CC 4, No. 13 Minnesota-Duluth 0 (final)

2008-02-23T22:34:00.005-07:00

Whoever uses the "Richard Bachman is a freshman" argument to deny him of post-season accolades would be a fool. Among his many accomplishments this season, Bachman became the first CC goaltender to shutout a series on the road Saturday, when he saved 29 shots in the Tigers' 4-0 win over Duluth. Bachman ranks first in the nation in both goals against average (1.71) and save percentage (.935).

But as Bachman himself pointed out after the game, he had some help.

"I thought tonight the team played very well," Bachman said. "I didn't think they had too many grade-A shots. Even compared to last night, I thought our 'd' stepped up bigger, so that really helped a lot. ...They did their job, which enabled me to do mine."

Several of Tigers' defensemen also played their best series of the season.
--Senior Jack Hillen, who had three assists Saturday, was mentioned several times among press-box members as the following: "best player on the ice," "first-team All-America" and "best defenseman in the league."
Duluth coach Scott Sandelin agreed after the game. "I like the way Jack Hillen plays," Sandelin said. "He's arguably one of the top defensemen in the league. Some people might not like the way he plays, but I do. He's involved a lot in the play. I like his skating ability and he sees the ice." Hillen, who leads WCHA defensemen in scoring and is tied for second nationally in that category, now has 28 points (3 goals, 25 assists), making him one of the top-scoring defensemen in recent CC history. (He needs 12 points to draw even with Brian Salcido, who had 40 points in the 2005-06 season.)
--Coach Scott Owens mentioned the series as Kris Fredheim's best in 2008.
--I can't begin to list the number of key blocked shots by the defensemen or the odd-man rushes they thwarted, but Nate Prosser, Brian Connelly, Ryan Lowery and Jake Gannon all did an excellent job of keeping the play to the perimeter and chipping the puck up, off the glass, and out of the zone.
--Team defense was also at a premium. The ability of the Tigers' forwards to keep the puck in the offensive zone could only be topped by that of the Clarkson series, but CC had more depth to work with that weekend.

**I didn't get a chance to speak with him in the hustle and bustle that occurs after a game, but I spotted left wing Addison DeBoer (shoulder) with his left arm in a sling. I'll catch up with him this week.

No. 4 CC 3, No. 13 Minnesota-Duluth 0 (end of 2nd period)

2008-02-23T20:14:00.004-07:00

The second period was much more defensive. CC struggled to maintain pressure in the zone, both on even strength and on the power play. But with the clock winding down on the Tigers' second power play of the period, defenseman Brian Connelly sent a pass across the top to defenseman Jack Hillen, who again set up a one-timer for center Chad Rau.
Goaltender Richard Bachman's shutout streak over the Bulldogs extended to 177 minutes, 46 seconds, but could have seen its end when the puck took a strange bounce off the back wall at 12:20 of the second. Just as Bachman went to retrieve the puck, it bounced back into the slot, but defenseman Ryan Lowery managed to get there in time.

No. 4 CC 2, No. 13 Minnesota-Duluth 0 (end of 1st)

2008-02-23T19:11:00.004-07:00

Colorado College owns a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission Saturday against Minnesota-Duluth.
Right wing Eric Walsky and left wing Matt Overman executed a textbook give-and-go around Duluth defenseman Travis Gawryletz. Walsky finished inside the right post to put CC up 1-0 less than nine minutes into the game.
Then, the Tigers got their first power-play goal in 16 tries when center Chad Rau one-timed a pass from defenseman Jack Hillen under goaltender Alex Stalock.
CC goaltender Richard Bachman stretched his shutout streak against the Bulldogs to 157 minutes, 46 seconds.

No. 4 CC vs. No. 13 Minnesota-Duluth

2008-02-23T18:32:00.002-07:00

Lines:
Colorado College
21 Sweatt--14 Rau--25 Testwuide
26 McCulloch--19 Vlassopoulos--23 Kilpatrick
18 Overman--17 Johnson--22 Walsky
27 Wysopal--9 McMillin--12 Quilico

8 Hillen--15 Prosser
7 Fredheim--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery

30 Bachman
31 O'Connell

Minnesota-Duluth
10 Gergen--15 Bordson--19 Kemp
23 Fulton--13 McKnight--37 Fontaine
20 Carroll--8 Akins--16 Greer
11 Schmidt--18 Sharp--27 Curry

14 Cascalenda--17 Meyers
4 Oberg--22 Gawryletz
5 Palm--26 Huttel

32 Stalock
34 Ziegelmann
1 Reiter

No. 4 CC 3, No. 13 Minnesota-Duluth 0 (final)

2008-02-22T23:14:00.004-07:00

Colorado College didn't played well on the NHL-sized sheet at Michigan Tech a month ago and Minnesota-Duluth's surface is even smaller.
But the Tigers were able to match Duluth's physicality at moments and got clutch saves from goaltender Richard Bachman whenever they had breakdowns.
CC took advantage of two Duluth miscues midway through the second period, with centers Chad Rau and Andreas Vlassopoulos, and got a crucial third goal from Vlassopoulos less than 5 minutes into the third period. Getting the three-goal lead has typically proved elusive for CC.
Short two players for the final 40 minutes, CC was able to earn two points and sole possession of first place in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. (North Dakota is playing a series against Bemidji State this weekend.)

See shot chart here.

--CC and Duluth showed why their penalty kills are ranked first and second, respectively, in the nation. The Tigers edge Duluth by .1 percent with a 90.2 percent clip.
--The Tigers' centers had one of their best nights on faceoffs. Rau was 11 for 22. Vlassopoulos was 8 for 16. Brian McMillin was 6 of 10. Tyler Johnson was 6 of 12. (Left wing Scott McCulloch was 0 for 1.)
--McCulloch was scoreless on five shots, including three point-blank opportunities. He should be fired up tomorrow.
--Rau and Vlassopoulos each snapped eight-game scoreless streaks.

No. 4 CC 2, No. 13 Minnesota-Duluth 0 (end of 2nd period)

2008-02-22T20:04:00.004-07:00

Colorado College centers Andreas Vlassopoulos and Chad Rau scored two goals within 25 seconds to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead heading into the final 20 minutes.
CC managed to kill three penalties in the final 10 minutes of the period, thanks to nine saves by goaltender Richard Bachman, who had 15 saves in the frame. Bachman's best sequence came when he made three consecutive saves on shots by Duluth's Michael Gergen and two from Drew Akins.
After left wing Scott McCulloch missed his third breakaway of the game, Bachman preserved the 0-0 tie with a chest save on right wing Justin Fontaine.
A minute later, CC's Jimmy Kilpatrick dug the puck out of the right corner and passed to Vlassopoulos in the right circle. Vlassopoulos' shot beat goaltender Alex Stalock five-hole to give CC the 1-0 lead.
Just 25 seconds later, right wing Mike Testwuide caused Duluth's Josh Meyers to turn over the puck at the blue line. Testwuide skated hard into the offensive zone and made a cross-slot pass to Rau, who finished gloveside on Stalock.

**Addison DeBoer has not returned to the bench after leaving the ice midway through the first period with an unknown injury.

No. 4 CC 0, No. 13 Minnesota-Duluth 0 (end of 1st)

2008-02-22T19:17:00.003-07:00

Tied 0-0 after a period, two unfortunate plays will make the going tough for Colorado College over the next two periods against Minnesota-Duluth.
Midway through the period, left wing Addison DeBoer took a blind-sided open-ice check and was able to drag himself to the bench, where he gripped his left shoulder, grimaced and rocked back and forth. When a penalty was whistled less than two minutes later, DeBoer and trainer Jason Bushie left the ice. DeBoer has not returned.
Then, DeBoer got some company in the locker room when defenseman Nate Prosser checked Duluth's Andrew Carroll into the boards and was called for checking from behind and the accompanying game misconduct, which will make him ineligible for the last 40 minutes tonight. Duluth didn't get much off of the subsequent five-minute power play, but still has 2:15 left in the man-advantage.

No. 4 CC at No. 13 Minnesota-Duluth

2008-02-22T18:27:00.002-07:00

Lines:
Colorado College
21 Sweatt--14 Rau--25 Testwuide
26 McCulloch--19 Vlassopoulos--23 Kilpatrick
5 DeBoer--17 Johnson--22 Walsky
27 Wysopal--9 McMillin--18 Overman

8 Hillen--15 Prosser
7 Fredheim--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery

30 Bachman
31 O'Connell

Minnesota-Duluth
18 Sharp--13 McKnight--19 Kemp
20 Carroll--8 Akins--16 Greer
10 Gergen--23 Fulton--37 Fontaine
21 Danberg--15 Bordson--27 Curry

14 Cascalenda--17 Meyers
4 Oberg--22 Gawryletz
5 Palm--26 Huttel

32 Stalock
34 Ziegelmann
1 Reiter

Wednesday Notes

2008-02-20T11:39:00.010-07:00

The Tigers departed this afternoon for Duluth without right wing Stephen Schultz, who is still recovering from a concussion suffered in the first period against St. Cloud State on Feb. 9. Captain Scott Thauwald will travel, but hasn't skated since he suffered a concussion in the third period of the Feb. 9 game. Defenseman Brett Wysopal could pull spot duty on the fourth line after practicing at forward Monday and Tuesday for the first time in his life. Wysopal, who marveled at going through a whole practice without skating backwards, will be CC's only extra skater.

Travel roster:
Sweatt--Rau--Testwuide
McCulloch--Vlassopoulos--Kilpatrick
DeBoer--Johnson--Walsky
Overman--McMillin--Quilico/Wysopal
D: Fredheim, Gannon, Hillen, Prosser, Connelly, Lowery
G: Bachman, O'Connell

UPDATE: Per Chris Heisenberg, CC landed its first Wisconsin kid since Brady Greco in defenseman Ted Behrend. Behrend hails from Oregon, Wisc., which is just south of Madison, coach Scott Owens' hometown.

Around the league
The WCHA handed out more penalties for fights that occurred in last Saturday's Denver-North Dakota game. Kyle Radke and J.P. Testwuide dropped gloves and squared off, which should have been an instant ejection and game disqualification, but referee Marco Hunt allowed them to go to the penalty box instead. Then, at the end of the second period, an all-out brawl broke out (YouTube) and Radke and Denver's Brandon Vossberg went at it (from Vossberg's perspective). Although the WCHA isn't the first league to come out with additional penalties after the fact (this Canisius-RIT fight resulted in additional sanctions from Atlantic Hockey), when you take Hunt's under-call into account with previous missed calls by now-suspended referee Randy Schmidt, it has been a rough year for officiating in the WCHA.

Denver, North Dakota Players Suspended for One Game
MADISON, Wisc. – The Western Collegiate Hockey Association today (Feb. 20, 2008) announced that J.P. Testwuide, a junior defenseman at the University of Denver, and Kyle Radke, a senior forward at the University of North Dakota, have been suspended for one game each as the result of an on-ice incident that occurred in the game between the two teams on Saturday, Feb. 16.

The supplemental disciplinary action was taken by WCHA Commissioner Bruce M. McLeod after a review of the incident that occurred at 6:38 of the second period and originally resulted in each player receiving two-minute slashing, two-minute roughing and 10-minute misconduct penalties.

Testwuide will be required to serve his one-game suspension during Denver’s home game against Alaska Anchorage on Feb. 22.

Radke, who also received a fighting penalty and game disqualification penalty later in the game on Feb. 16, will now be required to serve a two-game suspension during North Dakota’s upcoming home series against Bemidji State on Feb. 23-24.

Recruiting
USA Today featured CC recruit Colten St. Clair of Gilbert, Ariz., as evidence of the spread of talent beyond traditional hotbeds like Minnesota. Kevin Allen writes that St. Clair is "considered one of the top 1992-born players in the U.S. and maybe even the world."

Tiger Tracks
--Several people brought up half-shields as I researched the concussion story that ran today with the argument being that if players wear visors, they keep their checks down and adhere to an honor code (enforced by fighting).
The American Hockey League requires half-shields, whereas the National Hockey League leaves it up to the players--visor or no visor. CC alum Noah Clarke, who plays for Lowell (AHL), may feel differently about facemasks after he was hit in the face with a slap shot last Saturday. Clarke was hospitalized. (In the notes section)
UPDATE: Clarke, who is out indefinitely, suffered a cheekbone fracture and nose damage, but his eyes are OK. Read here.
--I thought this story on former defenseman Tom Preissing, a Hobey Baker finalist in 2003, was pretty neat. The reporter got Preissing to open up about his senior thesis at CC. Paid to play hockey for the Los Angeles Kings at the moment, the 2003 WCHA student-athlete of the year has plenty to look forward to after hockey.

CC's Recruiting Map Continues to Stretch

2008-02-13T18:40:00.004-07:00

CC landed a recruit, Scott Winkler, from the Kansas City-based Russell Stover AAA hockey team Wednesday, according to Chris Heisenberg.

I assembled all of the recruits into a chart with their junior teams and their hometowns. CC is steering clear of Minnesota and instead, tapping every resource west of the Mississippi and also Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois, where the Tigers have really established something of a defensive pipeline. If I can figure out how to whip up a Google map, I'll add it on here. Does anyone else find this fascinating?

U.S. Hockey Report on Winkler:
Russell Stover makes those boxes of sticky caramel-filled chocolates your grandmother might keep around, but the Kansas City-based company also sponsors a hockey team. However, only one player on the team is from Kansas. A lot of the pro scouts filtered in to watch 6-foot-2 RC Scott Winkler, who, despite the name, is from Asker, Norway. Winkler, a ’90, has good speed for his size, a nice long stride and agility. He seemed a little perimeter in the game this typist watched, but it wasn’t exactly a physical game to begin with. Anyway, Winkler wants to play college hockey and Maine, CC, Mankato State, and Northern Michigan are just some of the teams who’ve made a point of checking him out.

Close calls with skates

2008-02-12T13:40:00.000-07:00

For today's Gazette, I interviewed CC players and trainer Jason Bushie about the injury to Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik.

YourHub editor Tim Bergsten, who covered the Tigers during the 1998-99 season, recalled a near-Zednik injury that happened in 1998.

Here's what he wrote on Nov. 1, 1998:
COOL COSTUME: Freshman defenseman Mike Stuart wore the scariest Halloween costume - a real slashed throat, practically ear-to-ear.
Stuart was cut by a skate in the second period and received 13 stitches.
"Somebody did a good number on him," team trainer Richard Quincy said. "It didn't have to be much deeper to be a real serious problem."
Fortunately, the skate blade didn't cut him deeply. Stuart is expected to skate Monday.

Mike Stuart now plays in Austria.

Bye Week Begins

2008-02-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

CC is ranked No. 5 this week in both national polls (USA Today here, USCHO.com here) and the PairWise has the Tigers ranked fourth. (USCHO.com's PairWise; College Hockey News' PairWise.)

Here's a great article on David Civitarese, who will join the Tigers this fall. Civitarese is riding an 18-game point-scoring streak. The Calgary, Alberta, native plays for the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Okotoks Oilers with future North Dakota goaltender Bradley Eidsness.

**If you have any neat Skate with the Tigers' pictures, email them to me at kate.crandall@gazette.com. It'd be fun to post some on the blog!

No. 4 CC 2, St. Cloud State 4 (final)

2008-02-09T22:37:00.000-07:00

Less than 3 minutes into the second period of CC's first loss at World Arena this season, it looked like the Tigers were poised to make yet another comeback.

But CC just couldn't make enough happen, even with two big calls in the third period to swing momentum in its favor.

Most of CC's shots were from the perimeter as St. Cloud State had three, four and, at some points, five players clustered in front of the net. Saturday's game called for a bit more grittiness around the net than the Tigers gave. You can see it in the shot chart.

Before St. Cloud State took a two-goal lead with two goals in 27 seconds midway through the first, CC was doing a decent job of keeping the puck below the circles and maintaining pressure. Defenseman David Carlisle's slap shot from the blue line ricocheted off goaltender Richard Bachman's pads and into the net. Bachman was trying to go into a butterfly to make the save, but Carlisle's shot was simply too hard. Then, St. Cloud State's Matt Hartman fed Garrett Roe from behind the net and Roe knocked it in for the quick two-goal lead.

Five minutes later, CC drew within a goal when defenseman Jack Hillen ripped a shot from the high slot near the blue line. Center Tyler Johnson tipped it past goaltender Jase Weslosky for his fourth career goal. But 1:23 later, Hartman passed behind Bachman to Roe, who finished into the net.

CC scored 2:32 into the second when Johnson made a scrappy play and centering pass before being pancaked by Carlisle. Eric Walsky scored for his first goal since Jan. 11.

You can read about the third-period opportunities Sunday at www2.gazette.com/tigerden.

--Don't forget about Sunday's Skate with the Tigers at Sertich Ice Center from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

No. 4 CC 5, St. Cloud State 3 (final)

2008-02-08T23:07:00.000-07:00

What a bizarre game.

Midway through the second period, I had a short internal conversation.

K: "It's 4-1. Why aren't you writing your game story already?"
K: "Because it's hockey. And CC can barely string together more than two passes."

A few minutes later, Ryan Lasch, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's top scorer, redirected a cross from Aaron Brocklehurst over goaltender Richard Bachman's outstretched stick. Bachman was out challenging Brocklehurst, who had the puck in the right face-off circle, but couldn't get back fast enough to cover the far post.

Just 56 seconds later, the league's No. 3 scorer, Andreas Nodl, sent a puck whizzing past Bachman's left ear so fast Bachman checked his glove afterwards because he thought he had nabbed it.

Suddenly, it's a 4-3 game. Not what I had envisioned after the first period, when the Tigers were up 3-1 and beating St. Cloud State to every puck. Especially not what I thought would happen after left wing Scott McCulloch scored just 24 seconds into the second--a short-handed goal no less.

But the Tigers pulled out the win and maybe got a bit of a wake-up call without the cost of losing their undefeated home record--now 14-0. It'll be interesting to see how CC responds Saturday.

Some stats for you:
--With his hat trick Friday, McCulloch has scored six goals in the past three games.
--Testwuide entered last Friday's game with two goals. After his breakaway in the first period, he has seven. That's five goals in the past three games.
--Bachman has allowed eight goals in three games against St. Cloud State. for a 2.67 goals against average. In two of the last six periods against the Huskies, Bachman has allowed two or more goals within a 90-second span.
--CC can clinch home ice with a win Saturday.

Thursday Notes

2008-02-07T19:01:00.000-07:00

Right wing Jimmy Kilpatrick (concussion) won't play this weekend and did not practice this week. I haven't received official word if there's any reason to believe he won't be back for the Minnesota-Duluth series Feb. 22-23, but I would assume he will be and the coaches and trainer Jason Bushie are just being careful with the bye week coming up.

Lines will look like this:
Sweatt--Rau--Testwuide
McCulloch--Vlassopoulos--Schultz
Thauwald--Johnson--Walsky
DeBoer--McMillin--Overman

Richard Bachman will be in net Friday.

**Also--ever important to even the most casual CC hockey fan--Denver's leading scorer Brock Trotter is gone for good.

DU Hockey Release:
DENVER – University of Denver sophomore forward Brock Trotter (Brandon, Manitoba) has signed a three-year free agent entry level NHL contract with the Montreal Canadiens, two-time national coach of the year George Gwozdecky announced today.

Terms of Trotter’s three-year deal were not disclosed. Trotter will report to Hamilton of the American Hockey League. He could make his AHL debut as early as Feb. 9.

“We’re really happy for Brock and his opportunity with the Montreal Canadiens,” Gwozdecky said. “Brock accomplished a lot in his three years with our program and we wish him continued success during his professional hockey career.”

Testwuide Recognized, Schmidt Suspended Indefinitely

2008-02-05T11:45:00.000-07:00

--Mike Testwuide was picked as INCH's Player of the Week for his four-goal, five-point weekend against Clarkson.

--Randy Schmidt, the referee who waved off Wisconsin's last-second goal to give Denver a 3-2 win at Magness Arena on Jan. 11, has been suspended indefinitely.

And in case you missed it in today's Gazette, North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol was suspended for two games for his indecent gesture during the second period of last Saturday's game against Minnesota. That means Hakstol will miss the Sioux's series against Denver. The Grand Forks Herald blog has Hakstol's comments about the suspension.

No. 6 CC 6, No. 10 Clarkson 1 (final)

2008-02-02T22:55:00.000-07:00

I believe CC played its best back-to-back games of the season, minus two goofy plays by a couple of defensemen -- but hey, those happen, according to my commenters (thank you!). When I look back at my notes from Saturday, I kept scribbling over and over again how well the Tigers did pinning Clarkson in its defensive zone. CC did a nice job thwarting the Golden Knights' attempts to clear the puck and kept it cycling. I also thought the Tigers showed an opportunistic side this weekend that I haven't seen in a while. On Saturday, the Tigers scored on two of their first four shots and five of 14.

Not to get everyone too riled up, but I have to write this little tidbit down. On the night the Tigers sported throwback jerseys, which are replicas of the 1957 NCAA champions' jerseys, they extended their record at home to 13-0. (According to Mike Testwuide, those jerseys were "snazzy.") The last time CC went 13-0 at home was in the 1956-57 season. In that year, the Tigers went undefeated against NCAA schools at Broadmoor Ice Palace (16-0). Their only setback at home came to the Flin Flon Bombers, a team based in Manitoba, Canada. CC's record that season -- the last time the Tigers won a national title -- was 25-5-0 overall and 14-4 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

Notes:
--Defenseman Jack Hillen has six assists in the past four games and reached the 20-assist mark with two assists Saturday.
--Testwuide had just two goals entering the weekend but added two in each game and five points overall.
--Center Chad Rau snapped a four-game pointless streak with an assist on Testwuide's second-period goal.
--Goaltender Richard Bachman has held opponents to two or fewer goals in 18 of 23 games this season.
--Back-up goaltender Tyler O'Brien made his season debut, playing the final 5:35 and making four saves.

Game day: No. 6 CC vs. No. 10 Clarkson

2008-02-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

Lines:
Colorado College
21 Sweatt--14 Rau--25 Testwuide
26 McCulloch--19 Vlassopoulos--28 Schultz
10 Thauwald--17 Johnson--22 Walsky
5 DeBoer--9 McMillin--18 Overman

8 Hillen--15 Prosser
7 Fredheim--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery

30 Bachman
31 O'Connell
1 O'Brien

Clarkson
27 Tuohimaa--15 Zalewski--8 Beca
77 DeFazio--32 Dodge--19 Cayer
21 Marks--11 D'Alvise--91 Guthrie
26 Willemsen--13 Tuttle--17 Arciero

14 Clitsom--4 Reed
12 Mason--2 Paquet
5 Bellows--89 Rufenach
3 Pizzo

33 Leggio
1 Potter

No. 6 CC 5, No. 10 Clarkson 2 (final)

2008-02-01T22:59:00.001-07:00

CC's commanding 5-2 win over Clarkson was big for three reasons:

1. PairWise. Yes, I know it's only February 1. But the Tigers had slipped out of the top four in the PairWise rankings after the loss and tie at Michigan Tech last weekend, meaning they lost a No. 1 seed for the West Regional. With the win over Clarkson -- which brings CC's non-conference record to 4-3 -- the Tigers zoomed back up to a tie for third with Denver, which lost 5-1 at Minnesota State-Mankato. See the updated PairWise here.

For those who don't know: the PairWise rankings mimic the NCAA Tournament selection process, taking into account strength of schedule and performance against teams under consideration for the tournament. Clarkson has been ranked in the top 10 all season long and leads the Eastern College Athletic Conference standings.

2. Offense. The Tigers had 35 shots against Michigan Tech last Saturday and only two goals to show for it. In the two games before that, they had 30 and 31 shots, respectively. Still, just two goals per night. Not only did CC generate 42 shots, but it scored five goals -- the most it has had since Jan. 18 against Bemidji State.

That increased offensive output came from...

3. Team defense (and some line changes, too, which I will discuss Saturday. But first, team defense). Both coach Scott Owens and left wing Scott McCulloch, who had two goals on three shots in his first game back from a concussion, attributed this offensive resurgence to the forwards' commitment to the forecheck.

"Coach had kind of put the onus on us forwards to take control of the game," McCulloch said. "That's important for us to keep pressure off of (goalie) Richard (Bachman) and our defense. I think we did a great job to night with moving our feet, cutbacks and getting to the net."

Whereas the Tigers had continually been trapped in their defensive zone against Michigan Tech, they were able to confine Clarkson within its zone.

"It was nice to score five goals," Owens said. "It was even nicer to have the puck in their end most of the time. That was something we had stressed, trying to get our forwards to win the territorial battles and keep them bottled up a little bit. The last few weeks, it seems like we've been in our zone a lot and having to defend, so I thought they did a nice job."

Friday Night Links
--North Dakota, which has played 21 WCHA games to the Tigers' 20 games, pulled to within three points of first-place CC with an incredible overtime goal by Evan Trupp. See it here. If you ask me, that should be on ESPN's top 10.

--The Nanaimo Daily News profiled CC's newest recruit, Russell Goodman, a 19-year-old forward from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, who tore his MCL in early December. Read it here.

No. 6 CC 1, No. 10 Clarkson 1 (end of 1st)

2008-02-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

If you've ever talked to me about the use of the word "bounces," you'd know that I don't really believe in that cliche. C'mon. But defenseman Ryan Lowery's blunder less than two minutes into the first period might qualify as an exception.

Clarkson's Adam Bellows rocketed a shot from the point, which bounced off Lowery's right skate and onto center Chris D'Alvise's stick. D'Alvise easily finished past goaltender Richard Bachman for the early lead. It was the second time in two games the Tigers had allowed a goal in the first two minutes of the game.

CC squandered three power plays in the period, but got a tying goal just as the second one expired. Right wing Jimmy Kilpatrick dug the puck out of the left corner and passed to Eric Walsky on the left faceoff dot. Walsky sent the puck to Scott McCulloch on the far post, who redirected it past goaltender David Leggio at 12:49.

Game day: No. 6 CC vs. No. 10 Clarkson

2008-02-01T19:28:00.000-07:00

Looking at the lines:
Clarkson's youngest forward is 20 years old. Its youngest player in the line-up is 18-year-old defenseman Bryan Rufenach. By contrast, seven of the Tigers' forwards are 20 years old or younger.

Lines:
Colorado College
21 Sweatt--14 Rau--25 Testwuide
26 McCulloch--19 Vlassopoulos--23 Kilpatrick
10 Thauwald--17 Johnson--22 Walsky
5 DeBoer--9 McMillin-28 Schultz

8 Hillen--15 Prosser
27 Wysopal--4 Gannon
11 Connelly--24 Lowery

30 Bachman
31 O'Connell
1 O'Brien

Clarkson
27 Tuohimaa--15 Zalewski--8 Beca
77 DeFazio--32 Dodge--19 Cayer
21 Marks--11 D'Alvise--91 Guthrie
26 Willemsen--13 Tuttle--17 Arciero

14 Clitsom--4 Reed
12 Tyrell--2 Paquet
5 Bellows--89 Rufenach

33 Leggio
1 Potter

Wednesday notes

2008-01-30T17:43:00.000-07:00

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.

No. 3 CC 2, Michigan Tech 5 (final)

2008-01-26T23:01:00.000-07:00

Here's the shot chart.

No. 3 CC 2, Michigan Tech 3 (end of 2nd)

2008-01-26T18:29:00.000-07:00

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?

No. 3 CC 0, Michigan Tech 2 (end of 1st)

2008-01-26T17:41:00.000-07:00

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.

Game day: No.3 CC vs. Michigan Tech

2008-01-26T17:02:00.001-07:00

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

Shot Chart from Friday's game

2008-01-26T16:58:00.000-07:00

We're still working on the overtime period, but you can get a peek at our new toy.

No. 3 CC 2, Michigan Tech 2 (OT, final)

2008-01-25T21:49:00.000-07:00

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.

No. 3 CC 1, Michigan Tech 1 (end of 2nd)

2008-01-25T18:23:00.000-07:00

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).

No. 3 CC 1, Michigan Tech 1 (end of first)

2008-01-25T17:34:00.000-07:00

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)

No. 3 CC 1, Michigan Tech 1 (9:00 of the 1st period)

2008-01-25T17:00:00.000-07:00

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.

Greetings from the U.P.!

2008-01-25T16:49:00.000-07:00

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 day: No. 3 CC 2, Air Force 1 (final)

2008-01-19T23:08:00.000-07:00

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

2008-01-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

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

Game day: No. 3 CC vs. Bemidji State

2008-01-18T19:43:00.000-07:00

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

I guess that's that...

2008-01-17T12:14:00.000-07:00

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.

Wednesday Q&A

2008-01-16T19:07:00.001-07:00

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.

Monday Q&A

2008-01-14T14:45:00.000-07:00

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).

A sign of things to come?

2008-01-14T12:36:00.000-07:00

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.

Game day: No. 4 CC 5, Alaska-Anchorage 2 (final)

2008-01-12T22:22:00.000-07:00

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

Game day: No. 4 CC vs. Alaska-Anchorage

2008-01-12T18:59:00.000-07:00

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