Parity nationwide suggests this could be a tough series for Tigers

The parity evident in this week’s college hockey polls suggests No. 7 Colorado College cannot afford to look past Robert Morris in its nonconference home series tonight and Saturday.

Programs like UMass-Lowell (fourth in both polls), Bemidji State (eighth), Alaska-Fairbanks (No. 10), Nebraska-Omaha (No. 12), and Quinnipiac (No. 13) are all surprising top-ranked teams while last year’s NCAA runner-up and consensus No. 1 Miami has made its move to national respectability in the past five years, as has No. 11 UMass.

The NHL has helped lesser-known programs catch up with traditional powers like No. 2 North Dakota, No. 3 Denver and CC over the past five years. More parity among players in high school and the junior leagues is another reason.

“The NHL is taking a lot of top-end guys early,” Tigers coach Scott Owens said. “It’s harder and harder to get the difference-makers."

That parity may make for a competitive series this weekend against the Colonials (3-6-1, 1-2-1 College Hockey America), who are led by juniors Chris Kushneriuk and Nathan Longpre with 13 points in 10 games. Sophomore goalie Brooks Ostergard (2-4-1, 3.50 goals against, .921 saves percentage) is expected to start.

“They’re an older group of players that have shown they can compete with the big boys,” Owens said.

Bill Sweatt leads the Tigers with 15 points (nine assists) and freshman Rylan Schwartz has 12 (eight assists). Both have four power-play goals. Junior Tyler Johnson (10, five goals) is out this weekend while freshman Scott Winkler is back from a leg injury.

Freshman goalie Joe Howe (7-1-1, 2.08, .934) may split time with junior Tyler O’Brien (0-1, 4.04, .857).