Listless Tigers overtaken by U.S. Under-18 team

Nobody expected Colorado College to have an abundance of energy for Sunday's exhibition, considering Friday's emotional tie against Denver. However, the Tigers did expect to win.

Instead, the United States Under-18 team knocked off CC 3-2 at World Arena, scoring twice in the third period. The game-winning goal was scored with 4:43 left by Ryan Bourque, who is the son of former Avalanche defenseman Ray Bourque.

In four previous meetings against the United States Under-18 team, CC had a 4-0 record and a 23-7 goal differential. None of the games were closer than three goals. The game didn't count in the standings and the Tigers gave their young players more playing time than usual, but the loss was still a bit shocking.

"I'm very disappointed," CC coach Scott Owens said.

The United States team is talented. The national team won the Five Nations Tournament for the third straight year, beating Sweden, the Czech Republic, Finland and Russia. Against NCAA Division I teams this year, the U.S. is 6-9-1, with a 2-2 record against Western Collegiate Hockey Association teams. Its other win was against Alaska-Anchorage.

The Tigers had two familiar problems Sunday: They couldn't score enough goals, and they lost a third-period lead. CC had 46 shots on net but only two goals. The first came 1:16 into the game from David Civitarese. Chad Rau scored in the second period after the U.S. team tied it. The Tigers couldn't score in the third period despite a couple of full power plays.

"I'm bothered by it," Owens said. "I'm bothered we didn't take charge offensively."

Despite the number of shots, there weren't enough quality opportunities. U.S. goaltender Adam Murray stopped most of the good chances CC had.

"A lot of perimeter shots, not getting anything tight," Rau said.

In the third period, U.S. forward Jeremy Morin tied it with 12:20 remaining and Bourque scored on a three-on-one rush for the game-winner. The Tigers rested senior defenseman Jake Gannon and starting goaltender Richard Bachman, giving Tyler O'Brien the start in goal, but most of the Tigers' players were on the ice.

"We wanted to do a little better," Rau said.