College Hockey   CC Tigers and USAFA Falcons Hockey

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Great game. Great statement by Air Force’s Falcons. Maybe the teams will meet again in the NCAA Tournament. That would be a hockey fan’s dream.

CC defenseman Mike Boivin just ripped long shot past Air Force’s Stephen Caple.

CC fans finally making some noise. They had been asleep. Just like their team.

Can Colorado College awaken? The Tigers have been sleeping soundly for two periods.

Casey Kleisinger scores shorthanded goal to give Air Force a 2-0 lead.

Colorado College is in big, big trouble.

Air Force no longer dominating, but CC hasn’t been able to score.

Never been anywhere where sellouts look like they do at Colorado College hockey games at World Arena.

Tonight’s Colorado College-Air Force game is a sellout. I believe it.

So why are there so many empty seats?

This is nothing new. Empty seats at sold-out CC games have become something of a tradition.

Score is Air Force 1, Colorado College 0 at end of first period.

Air Force coach Frank Serratore talked earlier this week with The Gazette’s Brian Gomez about his plans for Colorado College.

“Let’s go punch them in the mouth,” Serratore said. “Let’s see what happens.”

And that’s exactly what’s happening here at World Arena. Air Force has dominated, grabbing a 1-0 lead that very nearly became a 2-0 lead. Tony Thomas scored on a sprawling shot that officials waved off.

Air Force is always more hungry in this crosstown rivalry games. Colorado College is usually more talented.

So far tonight, Air Force is more hungry and more talented. CC is in danger of getting punched in the mouth.

Colorado College Tiger hockey would like to thank all of its fans for coming out to World Arena in record numbers this season. The Tigers currently rank No. 5 in the nation and have a 6-1 home record. We are looking forward to an exciting and memorable 2012, and we wish everyone a wonderful holidays and joyful New Year.

Contact Brian Gomez: 719-636-0256 or brian.gomez@gazette.com. Twitter: @gazettehockey. Facebook: Brian Gomez. Google+: Brian Gomez. YouTube: Colorado College Hockey, Covered by The Gazette. For the CC hockey homepage, visit www.gazette.com/collegehockey. For the CC hockey blog, visit http://collegehockey.freedomblogging.com.

Colorado College coach Scott Owens got a contract extension Monday, ensuring that he will stay with the Tigers for the foreseeable future. Some Tigers fans gave their thoughts on the move by CC. Want to join the discussion? Chime in with a comment on this blog.

ZENE GURLEY

“I disagree with Coach Owens’ contract extension. I have said many times that his teams are inconsistent and undisciplined. Recent performances against (Denver) –  a great victory – followed by a complete blowup against (Alaska-Anchorage) are classic examples. His postseason record has been less-than-stellar, as well. The talent has been there, but it is my opinion that his nice-guy personality does not instill discipline the way other coaches, which I will not name here, do. His record at CC has been solid, and one has to respect that, but I doubt that CC ever will get close to winning the national championship with him as the coach. I hope I am wrong. I will continue to support the team, but it is very frustrating at times.”

PETE MOULTON

“I’m pleased that CC extended Coach Owens’ contract. Owens has been a consistent winner, both on and off the ice. In 12-plus seasons under Coach Owens, the Tigers have won the MacNaughton Cup three times, been to the NCAA Tournament seven times and compiled a 292-174-41 record, which, by my calculation, works out to a .616 winning percentage. I’d call that respectable by any measurement. What the fans who haven’t attended CC don’t know is that he has to do this in one of the most academically rigorous environments in Division I hockey. Not only do the players have to be talented on the ice, but they have to display equal aptitude in the classroom. CC is too small to be making concessions to talented athletes in terms of special classes, an athletes’ dorm, special training table, etc. When I attended CC, the players were in our classes, ate meals with the general student body, and in general, were regular students who also happened to play hockey. This is a very different situation from what coaches at the larger schools face, and it makes Owens’ recruiting that much more difficult. In my opinion, Owens has one of the toughest jobs in Division I hockey, and yet he accomplishes it with apparent ease.”

KEN ROWND

“I love the contract extension. I believe Coach Owens is the best coach who wants to be at CC. I have been an Owens supporter for several years now. He understands the special circumstances of a small, private school like CC. The main reason I like Coach is because he brings us players who are smart, good students, respectful of the fans and fun to be around. It is true that it is the parents that made them that way, but Coach had to find them. To me, the Colorado College roadmap to success is to keep a focus as a family oriented hockey program. I know when the players are having a good experience and the parents are happy, we will have a good team. I appreciate the way Coach has sustained that focus through the years. Anyone who has had the chance to spend some time around the CC hockey program, players and parents would understand.”

LEE SIEWERT

“I have been, and always will be, a fan of Scott Owens. So I am happy he has been given a contract extension. To be honest, I was a bit surprised by this. Last season, an insider close to Scott Owens told a fellow fan and I that Scott may retire sooner than we think. Appears now that will not be the case, and that is great for CC hockey nation. I’ve been told that Scott Owens is a great recruiter, and I think that has been proven by the talent level displayed on the ice season after season under his tenure. But I have to wonder about (CC assistant) Eric Rud, who many fans hold in high regard as a coach and recruiter. It made good sense to hire Eric to groom him for the CC head coaching position once Scotty retires. Now, will CC be able to keep a talent like Eric for several years? I sure hope so! CC needs to find a way to do this. As a fan, the only person I want to replace Scotty when he retires is Eric Rud. Thank you, Scott Owens, for continuing to lead CC hockey as one of the elite college programs in the nation.”

Contact Brian Gomez: 719-636-0256 or brian.gomez@gazette.com. Twitter: @gazettehockey. Facebook: Brian Gomez. YouTube: Colorado College Hockey, Covered by The Gazette. For the CC hockey homepage, visit www.gazette.com/collegehockey. For the CC hockey blog, visit http://collegehockey.freedomblogging.com.