CC expands the reach of the puck to Pueblo

Even during a bye week, Colorado College hockey continues to reach out to southern Colorado with last week’s practice at the Pueblo Plaza Ice Arena.

The 80-minute practice drew a crowd of about 125 Pueblo-area parents and kids who were eager to see the NCAA Division I program firsthand and get some autographs.

“Some of the guys broke their sticks so they were able to give those out to the little kids,” senior wing Bill Sweatt said. “There was a ‘Skate with the Tigers’ deal when they skated around with us and we signed their posters. It was fun.”

Although the arrival of the Avalanche a decade ago has made hockey one of the major sports in Colorado, the sport always needs a boost.

“It’s good for us to promote our team and our sport south into Pueblo and the southwest,” Sweatt said.

Tigers coach Scott Owens knows this, and it’s one of the reasons the team has held a practice in Pueblo over the past couple of years. Having it during the bye week is convenient for the team.

“It worked out well with our schedule,” Owens said.

The practice itself was a low-key affair with players using the bye week to heal, Sweatt said.

“It was just like any practice,” he said. “Guys were dialed in and focused, but it was still just practice.”

Hockey has been played in the Steel City for some time, picking up with the start of club and high school teams in recent years.

Because of that, many of the kids on hand were waiting for the open ice after the CC practice. Coming early gave them a chance to see a team that they can start following either in person, on the radio and occasionally on TV.

CC is hoping to pick up more fans with a strong signal on 103.9 FM KXRP already reaching Pueblo. Starting in December, live game broadcasts will start on 93.7 FM The River Rat, which reaches Buena Vista, Salida, South Park and the northern San Luis Valley.

CC moving on up

Losses by Vermont and Princeton helped Colorado College move up to No. 11 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine weekly poll despite being on a bye week. Boston College also lost, helping the Tigers move up to No. 12 in the U.S. College Hockey Online weekly rankings.

The Tigers (4-1-1, 3-0-1 WCHA) was ranked at No. 15 in both of last week’s polls.

Miami is the overwhelming choice for No. 1 in both polls. North Dakota (4-1-1) is No. 2 in the USA Today poll followed by Denver while the Pioneers (5-2-1) are No. 2 in the USCHO poll ahead of the Sioux.

Air Force was not listed in either poll.

Tigers tickets going fast

CC assistant athletic director Scott Lowenbergcq said less than 750 general admission tickets remained for each of the games against Minnesota-Duluth, 7:30 p.m. on Friday and 7 p.m. on Saturday.