CC's season likely ends with loss to Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. • There would be no comeback for Colorado College this time.

Penalties kept the Tigers from developing any offensive rhythm as host Minnesota-Duluth pulled away for a 4-0 win at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center. The loss Sunday likely ends CC’s season, since the Tigers (19-17-3) are now No. 21 in the PairWise rankings, which mimic the 16-team NCAA Tournament selection process.

No. 15 CC was called for 11 penalties during the first two periods. The final two, 61 seconds apart, proved the most costly in the decisive Game 3 of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoff series.

“It was called a little tighter than the earlier games,” Tigers coach Scott Owens said. “Guys were tired and making mistakes. It made for a strange game. We couldn’t get going. Drawing a penalty six seconds into the game set the tone.”

Rob Bordson’s 5-on-3 power play goal with 16.9 ticks left in the second period gave Duluth a commanding 3-0 lead. A 5-minute major on Gabe Guentzel and another minor penalty on Nate Prosser set up the advantage.

“That was the game,” Owens said.

No. 14 Duluth’s Mike Connolly scored on a third-period power play from the same five-minute penalty to make it 4-0.

Penalties hurt CC early as well when the result was still in doubt. Two calls against the Tigers during their own 5-minute power play negated more than half their time.

The Tigers power play went 0-for-7 (10 Duluth penalties) to finish 1-for-14 on the weekend. CC’s power play finished the season in a tie for 10th (43-of-211, 20.4 percent).

“Our sticks weren’t very good,” Owens said. “We fumbled passes.”

That helped Minnesota-Duluth keep its 1-0 lead, despite being outshot 9-4 in the first period.

“It was nice to build on a lead,” Bulldogs coach Scott Sandelin said. “We couldn’t Saturday and the difference that night was (CC’s Joe) Howe.”

It was the fourth time in five years CC was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs and second in a row at the hands of the Bulldogs (22-16-1).

Duluth goalie Kenny Reiter made 25 saves, none bigger than with 5:46 left on CC’s Tyler Johnson, to preserve the shutout, the third time CC was held scoreless this season.

Duluth advanced to play North Dakota Thursday to open the WCHA Final Five Tournament.

CC's seniors were not available for comment after the game.