Missing games hurt captain and the Tigers

Colorado College senior defenseman Jake Gannon has dealt with injuries throughout his career. But the latest setback was the toughest to handle.

When Gannon was younger, he knew there were seasons ahead of him. As a freshman, he had a broken hand and tonsillitis. He underwent shoulder surgery last season. Now, the captain is a senior with only a few months left in his career, so missing seven games because of a fractured finger was painful - physically and mentally.

"As a freshman, I was just happy to hopefully make the lineup," he said. "When you're a senior and you're in a different role where you're counted on to be a big part of the team, you want to be out there and do your part."

Gannon is scheduled to return to the ice Friday against Minnesota State-Mankato at World Arena. Gannon, who fractured his finger Nov. 28 against Air Force, said he is lucky to be returning. Pointing to the bandaged finger, he explained that the injury could have been worse.

"The doctor said if I would have got hit in a certain spot, I would have had surgery and probably been out the rest of the year," he said. "I'm glad I'm healthy, ready for the second half."

The time off was tough on Gannon and the Tigers. CC suffered through a lackluster December with Gannon and alternate captain Scott McCulloch dealing with injuries.

McCulloch has a sprained knee and coach Scott Owens said he won't play this weekend.
Being without two leaders has had a negative effect.

"We're kind of down two old guys," Owens said. "The other guys did pretty well picking it up, but it's tough because (Gannon) is our clear-cut captain."

Gannon said he is looking forward to the rest of the season. CC's 7-5-2 record in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association isn't what was predicted for the team when it was picked as the league's preseason favorite, but there is time to rebound.

After a 2-2-2 December, CC has slipped to third in the WCHA and is 12th in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll. The Tigers were ranked No. 1 earlier this season but might be a bit of an underdog going into the final stretch.

"If people want to think of us like that, it's fine," Gannon said. "We don't worry too much about what other people think."

Gannon is an important leader and his physical play on the back line is crucial for the Tigers. While he sat and watched last month, Gannon knew his presence in the lineup would help CC.

"I want to be out there and leading the team and doing what I know I can do to help the team win," he said. "From that aspect, it's tough."

Junior forward Matt Overman will miss this weekend's series because of a sore shoulder, Owens said Wednesday.

Earlier this week, Owens was hopeful he would have a full squad available aside from McCulloch.

"We thought we would, but that's how it goes," Owens said.

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CONTACT THE WRITER: 476-4891 or frank.schwab@gazette.com

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Minn. St.-Mankato at CC, 7:37 p.m., Friday, 103.9 FM