CC's Lampl anxious to return after suspension

Cody Lampl isn't quite sure what response he'll receive from the crowd Friday when he returns from a 47-game suspension. Based on what Colorado College fans have said to the senior forward, he figures it'll be positive.

On the ice and in the locker room, there isn't much mystery. Teammates and coaches know what he will bring.

Hits. Energy. A strong leadership voice. Toughness. Passion.

Despite being gone for a year, nothing seems to have changed with Lampl.

"He stepped right in," senior captain Jake Gannon said. "He brings some special things to our team."

Lampl was suspended in December 2007 for violating the school's student-conduct policy, following an incident in which he said he and an 18-year-old recruit engaged in consensual sex with a 19-year-old female CC student following a party.

There is bound to be some rust after the layoff, and Lampl is aware it could take time to regain his form.

"In the role I'm in as a physical player, I get to go out there and give it everything I have, then I get a couple minutes to rest because I'm not out there every other shift," he said. "That'll help me ease back in."

Lampl said he feels his timing is off on checks, and coach Scott Owens said he noticed Lampl's passing and shooting is rusty, but everything else has been positive. Owens said he doesn't know what to expect from Lampl on Friday against Minnesota State-Mankato but didn't figure he would have to scale back Lampl's playing time.

"He'll get after it," Owens said. "It's kind of a little something any team can use, but we can especially use starting the second half."

Lampl is eager to return to his high-energy role and let his teammates settle back to what they do best.

"Since I'm not there maybe other guys have to do that role and maybe they're a goal-scorer," Lampl said. "I add kind of a bite to the team, a not-back-down attitude. Anytime something goes wrong or one of their players takes liberties on our guys, I can step up that way and be the bite."

That's the approach that made Lampl popular before his suspension. Indications are he will be welcomed back. Assistant athletic director Scott Lowenberg said feedback on Lampl's return has been positive.

Lampl said a little more than a month ago he was at World Arena for a CC game and described the reception he got as "welcoming."

Lampl said he didn't know what would happen the first time CC fans get a chance to respond to his return.

"I'm not sure, but I'm sure whatever reception I do get it'll be a feeling I've never felt before," he said.