Penalties could 'dog CC in Duluth series

No. 11 Colorado College is eager to play this series. But if the Tigers take bad penalties, it could be tough to establish a home-ice advantage.

The Tigers (4-1-1, 3-0-1) play host to No. 20 Minnesota-Duluth (5-2-1, 2-1-1) in a rematch of the Tigers’ season-ending Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoff series loss. Duluth went on to win the playoffs and earn an NCAA bid.

“They took it to us here at World Arena,” senior defenseman Nate Prosser said.

Duluth went 3-0-1 in Colorado Springs last season as the Tigers struggled to a 11-6-4 home mark compared to 18-3 in 2007-08.

“A lot of teams would take 11 wins at home, but we need to establish home ice,” coach Scott Owens said.

To do that, the Tigers (3-1 at home) will need to win the battle on special teams.

CC has the nation’s best power play at 32.4 percent. Duluth has 14 power-play goals itself, but is second in Division I with 22.9 penalty minutes, up from last season’s 16.8.

Duluth looks to have considerable offensive potential (3.25 goals). Sophomore Jack Connolly leads the nation with 14 points in eight games while sniper Justin Fontaine is second in the WCHA and third in the country with 12 points in seven games, including a nation-best six power-play goals. Rob Bordson has 11 points, third in the WCHA and fourth in the nation.

CC (3.83 goals) has relied on a balanced attack. Senior Bill Sweatt leads the Tigers with 10 points (seven assists) while junior Tyler Johnson has eight points (five goals).