CC starts fast, wins at Michigan Tech

HOUGHTON, Mich. • Even when Colorado College was riding high the past few years, the Tigers couldn't win at Michigan Tech.

So, despite the fact that Michigan Tech has only one league win in 22 tries this season, the Tigers enjoyed Saturday's 4-1 rout at John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

In CC's past two trips to Houghton, the Tigers had two losses and two ties. Their last win here was 2005.

"It's huge," said senior Cody Lampl, who scored two goals. "Our class, as seniors, we've never won in this building. It's huge to get the points."

Aside from some penalty problems in the third period, the Tigers had nothing about which to worry. The offense got off to a quick start with two first-period goals, the defense didn't make many mistakes and goaltender Richard Bachman was sharp.

"Tons of fun," said center Tyler Johnson, who scored a goal in each game this series. "A loud crowd, it was great. A lot of fun."

CC is 14-9-7 and 10-8-4 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Michigan Tech is 5-19-6 and 1-15-6.

The Tigers were facing an excited team after the Huskies rallied for a tie in the series opener. Plus, this weekend is Houghton's annual Winter Carnival, a big event for students and fans.

The Tigers knew they needed to start fast, and they did. Center Chad Rau put a wrist shot over goaltender Rob Nolan's glove hand for the first goal.

CC hasn't gotten too many bounces this season, but got a few in the first period. The first occurred when a rebound came off Bachman and defenseman Ryan Lowery deflected it back at the Tigers' net. Bachman had no chance to save it, but the puck crossed the crease and hit the post. Later in the first, Johnson took a shot that was deflected and started slowly bouncing toward the net. Nolan never saw the puck, which bounced a few times before Lampl got a piece of it for the goal.

Lampl scored again early in the second, putting a shot on net that ricocheted off Nolan back to Lampl's forehand. He buried the follow-up shot to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead.

Michigan Tech's goal came with just more than 8 minutes left when defenseman Deron Cousens scored during a two-man advantage. Other than some minor angst caused by four third-period penalties, the win was relaxing for CC.

"We played a pretty good 60 minutes, we had a lot of people contributing," coach Scott Owens said. "We're in dogfights every single night, and it's nice in that sense that we were able to get a couple early."

NOTES

McMillin out

The Tigers played without forward Brian McMillin, who suffered an upper extremity injury when he was checked from behind Friday. McMillin was replaced in the lineup by freshman David Civitarese.

CC made one other lineup change, replacing defenseman Arthur Bidwill with freshman Ted Behrend.

Defensemen at a premium

For the final two periods and overtime Friday, CC was short on defense. Kris Fredheim is out because of a knee injury and Nate Prosser was ejected in the first period for checking from behind. Because Bidwill, a freshman, has only a few career games under his belt, the Tigers used only four defensemen most of the game.

"After the game you're a little tired, but during the game you try to tough it out," defenseman Brian Connelly said.

Recruiting focus

One of the tasks Owens accomplished last week was scouting possible recruits for the class of 2009. His class is full now, but the Tigers could have some players turn pro. Goaltender Richard Bachman, forward Bill Sweatt and Connelly are the top candidates to leave early.

"We're keeping our eyes open in case we lose guys late," Owens said.