Special teams power CC hockey past Alaska-Anchorage

Colorado College’s power-play unit showed why it is No. 1 in the nation on Friday night. The Tigers scored twice with a one-man advantage to shut out visiting Alaska-Anchorage 5-0 in front of a crowd of 6,890 at World Arena.

“It felt great to get the win on a (Western Collegiate Hockey Association) team here at home,” senior Kris Fredheim said. “We know they will come out with some intensity tomorrow, so we will have to be ready.”

The Tigers (10-2-1, 7-1-1 WCHA), who have converted on the power play in 10 consecutive games, scored first after Kris Fredheim was fed by Stephen Schultz near the right point for the game-winner and first power-play score halfway through the first period.

“We had been seeing that type of situation a lot in practice, and I thought we might get an opportunity like that,” Fredheim said. “I saw the goalie come across and leave the hole.”

Colorado College defenseman Ryan Lowery also scored on the one-man advantage to make it 4-0 in the second period just 6 seconds after the Seawolves’ Kane LaFranchise went to the box for tripping.

The Tigers also proved they didn’t need to have an advantage to score. Captain Mike Testwuide scored with teammate Gabe Guentzel in the box for holding to put the Tigers up 3-0 with 8:37 left in the second period.

“It was a beautiful play,” Owens said. “The timing of it was just perfect. We were up 2-0 and everyone was just sort of waiting for something to happen.”

The Tigers’ penalty kill was equally effective Friday night as it killed off six penalties. Twelve seconds after the Tigers beat a 5-on-3 Seawolves advantage in the first period, senior Matt Overman shot out of the penalty box to assist on freshman William Rapuzzi’s fifth career goal.

“In a 5-on-3 situation like that where you have the lead, that was really big for us,” Rapuzzi said. “That really gave us the momentum.”

Rapuzzi scored his second goal of the game near the 7-minute mark of the third period to give the Tigers the final 5-0 margin.

Anchorage dropped to 5-10, 3-8.