CC's penalty kill is perfect in first series

With a marked increase in penalties, Colorado College's special teams were called into action plenty against Alabama-Huntsville.

The Tigers averaged 4.4 power-play chances last season but had nine Friday.

Based on offseason rule changes, officials have placed a greater focus on enforcing hooking, slashing and interference penalties.

After going scoreless on its first 13 power plays of the season, CC scored two consecutive power-play goals Saturday.

CC's penalty kill - which ranked fourth nationally last season with an 88.6 percent success rate - hasn't allowed a goal.

"Our penalty killing was pretty good," coach Scott Owens said. "Our power play was solid, nothing special."

Owens said Friday's power-play performance, in which his team went 0 for 9, wasn't for lack of effort.

"In the first period, we were content with playing on the perimeter," he said. "In the second period, we started to get some good chances, but we couldn't convert on them."

Wings free to work
While the center's technique plays a key role in winning a face-off, the pressure is on the wings to come up with possession.

A new point of emphasis has referees whistling wings for interference if they obstruct their opponent when the puck is dropped.

"It makes it easier for my job because my wingers can get in there without getting picked," center Chad Rau said. "They can get the puck if it's a 50-50 thing. In that regard, it's nice. It's a really big part of the game, especially on the power plays, where they have you start in the offensive zone. You want to get possession there."

Slap shots
Defensemen Ryan Lowery and Ted Behrend and forwards David Civitarese, Mike Testwuide and Nick Dineen (shoulder) were scratches Saturday. ... Left wing Scott McCulloch returned to the lineup after missing Friday's game because of a strained hip flexor. ... Huntsville's 16 shots on goal Friday were the fewest allowed by CC since Dec. 29, 2006.