Tigers game show: What's my line?

If Colorado College coach Scott Owens' lineup never changed, he would be a happy man.

Line changes aren't Owens' top concern, but he has had to mix and match due to an offense that ranks ninth in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and a recent rash of injuries.

Owens' lineup tonight against Minnesota State-Mankato at World Arena won't be set in stone for the rest of the season, assuming senior left wing Scott McCulloch returns from a knee injury next week, as hoped, and junior forward Matt Overman comes back soon from a sore shoulder. But if the Tigers play well against Mankato, that might lead to some continuity.

"When you have stability in your lines, that means things are going well offensively," Owens said. "It means you're settling into some things."

Owens said tonight's top line will be center Chad Rau, left wing Bill Sweatt and right wing Mike Testwuide. That's the same combination that played together in CC's last game, a 7-0 win over Sacred Heart. They also played together in an NCAA Tournament regional game last year.

At the beginning of the season, CC loaded up its top line with wings Eric Walsky and Sweatt flanking Rau at center. Not surprisingly, those three are the Tigers' top scorers.

But CC needed more scoring from the other lines. Among WCHA teams, CC's 2.68 goals per game are better than only Michigan Tech, which is scoring a stunning 1.32 goals per game.

Changes were made. The last time CC used the Walsky-Sweatt-Rau line was Dec. 5 against Minnesota-Duluth, a game that finished in a 1-1 tie.

All four lines were changed from the first game of the series against Sacred Heart, a 2-2 tie, to the second game, which was the 7-0 win.

"Every once in a while you have to change to get some freshness," Owens said.

Coaches sometimes switch lines to ignite some offense. Injuries have also played a part in some changes. The Tigers are starting to get healthy, which could help. Players like comfort, and having the same linemates can be a benefit.

"It just makes guys more comfortable and gives you a chance to create some chemistry with each other," senior defenseman Jake Gannon said.

Owens doesn't know when the lines will settle down, but a lot of that is up to how the players perform. Owens said the coaches constantly evaluate which lines might work well together and analyze the moves they have made. Owens will keep tinkering if the chemistry isn't quite right, and he has the roster versatility to move players around.

"We have a lot of pieces that can play different positions and with each other," Owens said. "It's more of a deal that we need that continuity so lines can settle in, which means we're doing well."

Tickets available

As of Thursday morning, 1,414 tickets remained for tonight's game at World Arena against Mankato, and 828 tickets remain for Saturday's game. The tickets available are for $13 or $15.

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CONTACT THE WRITER: 476-4891 or frank.schwab@gazette.com. Check out our Colorado College hockey blog at gazettecchockey.freedomblogging.com