CC still stuck in Friday funk

As Colorado College's quest for consistency continues, so does the head-scratching about the Tigers' disjointed offense, which seems especially absent on Fridays.

No. 3 CC lost to Alaska-Anchorage 4-2 at Sullivan Arena, marking their third consecutive Friday loss and first at Anchorage since Dec. 13, 2003.

The Tigers, who dropped to 7-3-3 and 5-3-1 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, will try to salvage the split Saturday night.

Behind a goal from center Chad Rau, CC led 1-0 after a strong first period, in which the Tigers held Anchorage to just three shots.

Things started to unravel for CC in the second period when the Seawolves killed off four Tigers penalties, making the Tigers 0 for 8 after two periods.

"We played like we were exhausted both mentally and physically," said right wing Eric Walsky, an Anchorage native who assisted Rau's goal. "We didn't capitalize on any of our power plays. It was the biggest pivotal point of the game.

With less than eight minutes left in the second, center Paul Crowder scored from the right circle to tie the score.

At the end of the second, CC was outshooting Anchorage 19-7.

"The game should have been over at the 28-minute mark, but we're on the road and we're letting them hang around," coach Scott Owens said.

Early in the third period, forward Craig Parkinson's goal was followed 29 seconds later by a short-handed tally from Crowder.

With 10:02 left in the third, CC right wing Eric Walsky, an Anchorage native, scored a power-play goal to draw the Tigers within one.

But a series of missed opportunities, including breakaways by left wing Scott McCulloch and Bill Sweatt, kept the Tigers from snapping their Friday funk.

"It's very frustrating, especially for me," said McCulloch, whose first-period breakaway was gloved by goaltender Jon Olthuis. "I'm supposed to be a leader on this team and step up and put those breakaways in with 3 minutes left. We can't have that from a leader. I need to do a better job when it's crunch time. It's frustrating to lose like that."

Anchorage's Tommy Grant chipped in an empty-net goal with 24.9 seconds left for the final margin.

Olthuis finished with 25 saves, while CC's Drew O'Connell, an Anchorage native, had 18 saves.

"It was the ineptness on the offense that set the tone," Owens said. "Our older forwards should be able to carry this team more than they are. It's too bad - (O'Connell) comes home and he plays well enough for a win."

CC's power play went 1 for 12.

Slap shots

In seven Friday games, the Tigers have scored just 10 goals. ... The top line - Rau, Walsky and Sweatt - has accounted for 60 percent of the Tigers' goals and 50 percent of the points.