College Hockey   CC Tigers and USAFA Falcons Hockey

Typical of their determined play during a memorable playoff run, the Tigers refused to fold in the championship game Saturday night.

But a two-goal deficit late in the second period proved too big a margin to overcome as Colorado College lost 3-2 to Wisconsin in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Final Five tournament championship Saturday, ending the Tigers’ season. The loss also marked CC;s last chance to win the WCHA trophy named after the landmark Colorado Springs hotel

The never-say-die approach by CC (18-19-5) started with the leaders in the locker room.

“It would have been easy to give up, especially after the adversity (losing streak) we faced,” senior captain William Rapuzzi said. “But we never lost the faith that if we kept working we could turn things around. I am so proud to have been the captain of the guys in that locker room.”

The championship gives Wisconsin (22-12-7) a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers needed that automatic qualifier to make the 16-team field.

The scrambling Tigers managed only four shots in the third as fatigue and a tight Wisconsin defense wore them down.

“They are a tough kind of team to play against in your sixth game in nine days,” Tigers coach Scott Owens said. “The part that hurts is knowing you were one goal away from the Broadmoor Trophy; one goal away from the NCAA Tournament.”

The Tiger never doubted they could come back after Nic Kerdiles scored the eventual game-winner with 3:45 left in second.

Schwartz scored on breakaway after a pass from Alexander Krushelnyski. The senior beat Joel Rumpel (20 saves) with 27.6 seconds left to make it 3-2 headed into the third.

“Rylan was a man this weekend,” Owens said. “After that goal, everyone sat up a little on the bench. It was one goal (deficit) entering the third period and Joe Howe (30 saves) was playing well.”

Earlier, Schwartz started a 3-on-2 rush that led to a Charlie Taft tap-in to trim the Badgers lead to 2-1 and give the senior his 100^th career assist. He moved into the national scoring lead with 53 points (20 goals).

Wisconsin took a 2-0 lead on scores by Tyler Barnes with 17 seconds left in the first and Sean Little with 16:32 left in the second.

It may take some time, but the Tigers will eventually look back on their 9-5-3 run to conclude the season with pride, Schwartz said.

“It’s hard right now,” he said. “But maybe in a few days, it will be something we will take pride in Hopefully this is something the young guys can take into next year.”

Here is a video of the players’ postgame press conference.

Notes

This year’s Final Five drew the third-largest crowd ever with 87,295 fans. The top two are 2007 (88,900) and 2006 (87,579). … Schwartz and Peter Stoykewych were named to the all-tournament team along with MVP Kerdiles, Barnes, John Ramage and Rumpel, all of Wisconsin. … Another WCHA Final Five tradition is coming to an end. Longtime Minnesota fans Cathy St. Martin and her late husband Tom hosted a league hospitality room for officials, coaches and media for the past 25 years … The new WCHA debuted a revised logo and that the top eight teams in the final regular-season standings will play in a best-of-three first-round series at the home site of the top four finishers, followed by the first-round winners advancing to the WCHA Final Five the following weekend for two first-day semifinals and the Broadmoor Trophy championship on Day 2. … Minnesota coach Don Lucia will coach the 2014 U.S. National Junior Team. SCSU coach Bob Motzko will serve as an assistant.

Wisconsin 3, Colorado College 2

Colorado College              0              2              0              – 2

Wisconsin            1              2              0              — 3

First period – 1. UW, Barnes (Kerdiles, Simonelli) 19:43. Penalties – UW, McCabe, interference, 3:54; CC, Taft, tripping, 8:20. CC, DiGiando, cross-checking, 14:01.

Second period – 2. UW, S. Little (McCabe, Dahl) 3:28; 3. CC, Taft (Schwartz) 7:19; 4. UW, Kerdiles (Ramage, Zengerle) 16:15; 5. CC, Schwartz (Krushelnyski) 19:33. Penalties – CC, Marciano, interference, 11:16.

Third period – No scoring. Penalties – UW, LaBate, tripping, 1:59; CC, Rapuzzi, tripping, 19:50.

Power play – CC 0-2, UW 0-4. Shots on goal – CC 9-9-4 – 22; UW 13-11-9 – 33. Saves-minutes – CC, Howe 12-9-9 – 58:43; UW, Rumpel  9-7-4 – 59:57.  Referees – B. Shepherd, Anderson. Linesmen – Dokken, Hills. Attendance – 18,872.

LINES

CC freshman Cody Bradley is out for the second straight game with an upper body injury.Colorado College

LW-C-RW

Krushelnyski-Schwartz-Taft

Skalbeck-Winkler-Rapuzzi

Fejes-DiGiando-Hamburg

Maric-Collett-Hanson

LD-RD

Stoykewych-Boivin

Harstad-McDermott

Young-Marciano

Goalies– Howe, Thorimbert.

Wisconsin

LW-C-RW

Kerdiles-Zengerle-Barnes

LaBate-Woods-Mersch

R. Little-Dahl- S. Little

Navin-Meuer-Paape

LD-RD

Schulze-Ramage

McCabe-Simonelli

Wittchow-Faust

Goalies – Rumpel-Peterson.

Former Tiger Joey Crabb cleared waivers and was assigned to AHL Hershey.

Here is a video interview with Archie Skalbeck.

DENVER — Colorado College wasn’t ready for its season to end and it certainly didn’t want to fall in a sweep at hated Denver.

CC senior goalie Joe Howe made sure of it in the 2-1 road win before 4,851 at Magness Arena.

Howe, who moved into third all-time in career saves at CC with 3,068, recorded 41 saves Saturday night to frustrate the fifth-seeded Pioneers (20-12-5).

Denver recorded 42 shots on goal to only 22 for CC (15-18-5).

“I thought Joe Howe was fiery and competitive and that sent a message to the team,” Tigers coach Scott Owens said. “We bent a little bit but we did not break. This team likes playing together and they don’t want it to end just yet, especially not in two in Denver.

“You have to give Denver credit. They are shorthanded with injuries and they still just keep coming at you.”

The CC win forces a decisive Game 3 at 7:07 p.m. at Magness Arena. Tickets remain available at denverpioneers.com/tickets or at the door. The series winner advances to a Thursday quarterfinal at the WCHA Final Five tournament at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

“When you out shoot an opponent like that you expect a better result,” Denver coach George Gwozdecky said. “But I don’t think anyone is surprised this didn’t end in a sweep between these two rivals.”

Howe tied Eddie Mio with his 3,046^th career save with 15:46 left in the second period.

Colorado College 2, Denver 1

Colorado College             1              1              0              –2

Denver                 0              1              0              — 1

First period – 1. CC, Schwartz (Taft, Krushelnyski) 9:44. Penalties –DU, Makowski, tripping, 1:53; CC, Marciano, interference, 5:56.

Second period – 2. DU, Q. Shore (Knowlton, Brittain) :33; 3. CC, Skalbeck (Hamburg, Winkler) 5:58. Penalties – DU, Larraza, high-sticking, 8:20; CC, Hanson, hooking, 11:14; DU, Larraza, holding, 15:15; DU, Knowlton, boarding, 16:22.

Third period —  No scoring. Penalties – CC, Collett, holding, 6:06; DU, Loney, roughing, 19:43; CC, Marciano, roughing, 19:43.

Power play – CC 0-4, DU 0-3. Shots on goal – CC 8-9-5 – 22; DU 14-15-13 – 42. Saves-minutes – CC, Howe 14-14-13 – 60:00; DU, Brittain 7-8-5 – 57:53. Referees – Anderson, Shepherd. Linesmen – Swaider, Keltie. Attendance – 4,851.

WCHA ROUNDUP

Three Game 3s will decide the final entrants in next week’s WCHA Final Five Tournament Sunday night after Michigan Tech stunned North Dakota, CC upended Denver and Nebraska-Omaha downed Minnesota State.

No. 1 St. Cloud State 5, No. 12 Alaska-Anchorage 1

ST. CLOUD — WCHA Player of the Year Drew LeBlanc scored a goal and added to assists to help send St. Cloud State to the WCHA Final Five with a 5-1 win against Alaska Anchorage on Saturday night at National Hockey Center.

No. 2 Minnesota 4, No. 11 Bemidji State 3

MINNEAPOLIS — Sophomore defenseman Ben Marshall scored at 19:07 of the third period to complete a Minnesota comeback from a 3-1 deficit as the Gophers earned a 4-3 win – and WCHA playoffs series sweep – against Bemidji State on Saturday at Mariucci Arena.

No. 10 Michigan Tech 2, No. 3 North Dakota 1

GRAND FORKS — Freshman forward C.J. Eick scored with 2:02 remaining in the third period to lift Michigan Tech to Saturday night’s 2-1 win against North Dakota to even up a WCHA best-of-three playoff series at Engelstad Arena.

No. 4 Wisconsin 4, No. 9 Minnesota-Duluth 1

MADISON — Junior forward Tyler Barnes had a goal and an assist and freshman forward Nic Kerdiles posted two assists to propel Wisconsin into the WCHA Final Five with a 4-1 win against Minnesota Duluth on Saturday night at Kohl Center.

No. 7 Nebraska-Omaha 2, No. 6 Minnesota State 1

MANKATO — Sophomore forward Dominic Zombo scored at 5:21 of the third period to lift Nebraska Omaha to a 2-1 win against Minnesota State to draw even in a best-of-three WCHA playoff series on Saturday night at Verizon Wireless Center.

LINES

Russell Finch goes in for Ian Young on the Tigers defense while Sam Brittain starts in net for Denver.

Colorado College

LW-C-RW

Krushelnyski-Schwartz-Taft

Skalbeck-Winkler-Rapuzzi

Fejes-Bradley-Hamburg

Maric-Collett-Hanson

LD-RD

Stoykewych-Boivin

Harstad-McDermott

Finch-Marciano

Goalies – Howe, Thorimbert

Denver

LW-C-RW

Q. Shore-N. Shore-Knowlton

Larraza-Ostrow-Loney

Jacobson-Doremus-Tabrum

Allen-Levin-Arnold

LD-RD

Phillips-Mayfield

Zajac-Makowski

LaLeggia-OPEN

Goalies — Brittain, Olkinuora, Murray.

DENVER – The host Pioneers took advantage of Colorado College’s mistakes and converted them to answer each Tiger goal to pull away Friday night.

Eleventh-ranked Denver took a two-goal lead by midway through the second period and kept the Tigers from sustaining a rally the rest of the way in a 5-3 victory to open the Front Range rivals’ playoff series.

“It took a little wind out of their sails,” said Denver coach George Gwozdecky. “That was key throughout the game.”

Game 2 of the best-of-three series at Magness Arena is at 7:07 Saturday with eighth-seeded CC (14-18-5) fighting to continue its season. All the higher seeds won at home Friday in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association first round of the playoffs.

Colorado College did not play poorly, but committed too many mistakes, which Division I’s No. 2 offense (3.43) converted.

Denver 5, Colorado College 3

Colorado College              1              1              1              –3

Denver                 2              2              1              — 5

First period – 1. CC, McDermott (Krushelnyski, Schwartz) 11:07; 2. DU, Jacobson (Mayfield, Doremus) 16:17; 3. DU, Q. Shore (N. Shore, Zajac) 17:46. Penalties – CC, Boivin, tripping, 2:11; DU, Makowski, tripping, 11:07.

Second period – 4. DU, Ostrow (Knowlton, Mayfield) 8:46 (PP): 5. CC, Harstad (Taft, Krushelnyski) 12:07; 6. DU. Larraza (Doremus, Tabrum) 16:45. Penalties – CC, Hanson, tripping, 6:58; DU, Mayfield, cross-checking, 19:27.

Third period – 7. CC, Krushelnyski (Schwartz) 7:00; 8. DU, Loney (unassisted) 8:51;

Penalties – CC, Boivin, slashing,11:51; CC, Krushelnyski, unsportsmanlike conduct, 14:45; DU, Phillips, high-sticking, 14:45;

Power play – CC 0-2, DU 1-3. Shots on goal – CC 12-14-16 – 42; DU 13-13-13 – 39. Saves-minutes – CC, Howe 11-11-12 – 57:59; DU, Olkinuora 11-13-15 – 60:00. Referees – Anderson, Shepherd. Linesmen – Swaider, Keltie. Attendance — 4,436.

WCHA PLAYOFF ROUNDUP

No. 6 Minnesota State 4, No. 7 Nebraska-Omaha 3 OT

MANKATO, Minn. – Chase Grant scored at 7:04 of overtime to give Minnesota State a 4-3 win over the Omaha hockey team in game one of a best-of-three WCHA first round playoff series on Friday night.

Game 2 of the series will be played on Saturday at 7:07 p.m.  UNO will need to win to force a deciding game three on Sunday.

On the game-winning goal, UNO got trapped deep in the Minnesota State zone, leading to a 3-on-2 rush the other way.  Jean-Paul Lafontaine carried the puck down the right wing and found Grant trailing the play.  He fired a hard wrist shot over the blocker hand of UNO goaltender John Faulkner to send the crowd of 2,855 into celebration.

No. 3 North Dakota 5, No. 10 Michigan Tech 3

GRAND FORKS –  Senior forward Danny Kristo scored two goals, including one 58 seconds after the Huskies scored to make it 4-3,  and added an assist to lift North Dakota to a 5-3 win against Michigan Tech in the first game of a WCHA opening round playoff series on Friday night at Engelstad Arena.

No. 2 Minnesota 2, No. 11 Bemidji State 1 OT

MINNEAPOLIS — Sophomore forward Kyle Rau scored 13:18 into overtime to lift Minnesota to a 2-1 win against Bemidji State in the first game of a WCHA opening round series on Friday night at Mariucci Arena.

No. 4 Wisconsin 3, No. 9 Minnesota-Duluth 1

MADISON — John Ramage, Nic Kerdiles and Mark Zengerle each recorded multiple-point efforts as Wisconsin earned a 3-1 win against Minnesota Duluth in the first game of a WCHA playoff series on Friday night at Kohl Center.

No. 1 St. Cloud State 6, No. 12 Alaska-Anchorage 1

ST. CLOUD — St. Cloud State (22-14-1) moved one step closer to St. Paul with a 6-1 victory over Alaska Anchorage (4-24-7) in the opening game of the WCHA playoffs on Friday. Game 2 of the best-of-three series is at 7:07 p.m. Saturday.

St. Cloud State’s David Morley carded his team-high seventh power-play goal with 4:52 left in the first period for the eventual game-winner.

LINES

Sophomore Ian Young replaced freshman Russell Finch at No. 3 left defense while DU has an open spot at third pairing at right defense.

Colorado College

LW-C-RW

Krushelnyski-Schwartz-Taft

Skalbeck-Winkler-Rapuzzi

Fejes-Bradley-Hamburg

Maric-Collett-Hanson

LD-RD

Stoykewych-Boivin

Harstad-McDermott

Young-Marciano

Goalies – Howe, Thorimbert

Denver

LW-C-RW

Q. Shore-N. Shore-Knowlton

Larraza-Ostrow-Loney

Jacobson-Doreums-Tabrum

Allen-Levin-Arnold

LD-RD

Phillips-Mayfield

Zajac-Makowski

LaLeggia-OPEN

Goalies — Olkinuora, Brittain, Murray.

PLAYOFF UPDATE

If Denver defeats Alaska-Anchorage Sunday, the Tigers will travel to DU for the first round of the WCHA playoffs. If DU ties or loses, CC goes to Wisconsin next weekend.

Denver game times are 7:37 p.m. Friday and 7:07 Saturday and Sunday (if necessary).

Ticket info should be available on denverpioneers.com soon.

Wisconsin game times are 7:07 p.m. CT Friday, Saturday and Sunday (if necessary).

Here are all the series match-ups based on Sunday’s result:

If Denver wins Sunday:
No. 7 Nebraska0Omaha at No. 6 Minnesota State
No. 8 Colorado College at No. 5 Denver
No. 9 Minnesota-Duluth at  No. 4 Wisconsin
No. 10 Michigan Tech at No. 3 North Dakota
No. 11 Bemidji State at No. 2 Minnesota
No. 12 Alaska Anchorage at No. 1 St. Cloud State
If Denver loses or ties Sunday:
No. 7 Nebraska Omaha at No. 6 Denver
No. 8 Colorado College at No. 5 Wisconsin
No. 9 Minnesota Duluth at No. 4 Minnesota State
No. 10 Michigan Tech at No. 3 North Dakota
No. 11 Bemidji State at No. 2 Minnesota
No. 12 Alaska Anchorage at No. 1 St. Cloud State

Click here for a postgame video interview with CC captain William Rapuzzi.

GAME RECAP

HOUGHTON, Mich. — When challenged this time, Colorado College responded.

CC captain William Rapuzzi broke a five-game scoring drought with a momentum-turning goal that clinched a 4-3 win at Michigan Tech Saturday night and the eighth seed in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs next week.

“That fourth goal was huge,” Tigers coach Scott Owens said. “We were just hanging on after they made it 3-2.”

CC’s road series opponent, the fifth seed, will be determined by the result of Denver’s 11 a.m. Sunday home game against Alaska-Anchorage.

The Tigers’ 3-0 lead in the regular-season finale was in danger of evaporating before Rapuzzi scored 35 seconds after MTU pulled within one, 3-2. The tally gave CC a critical two-goal cushion headed into the third period. Rapuzzi scored as he fell, knocking in the puck as he landed his knees.

The goal was set up by a good back-check by left wing Archie Skalbeck, who harassed the Husky defenders all game long. Skalbeck collected the turnover and passed cross-ice to Winkler, who passed back to the trailing Rapuzzi for the winning shot.

Getting the road win may prove critical for the Tigers (14-17-5, 11-13-4 WCHA).

“This win was real important for us to get some momentum going into the playoffs,” Rapuzzi said.

Colorado College 4, Michigan Tech 3

Colorado College              1              3              0              – 4

Michigan Tech                   0              2              1              –3

First period – 1. CC, Fejes (Hamburg, Bradley) 12:44. Penalties – MTU, Stebner, elbowing, 3:09; CC, Boivin, unsportsmanlike conduct, 9:57; CC, Fejes, hooking, 16:50.

Second period – 2. CC, Bradley (Hamburg) 5:23; 3. CC, Boivin (McDermott, Schwartz) 5:32 (PP); 4. MTU, Petan (Seigo, D. Johnstone) 6:34 (PP); 5. MTU, Gordic (D. Johnstone) 14:58; 6. CC, Rapuzzi (Winkler, Skalbeck) 15:33. Penalties – CC, bench, too many men, 2:09; MTU, Kero, tripping, 5:23; CC, Skalbeck, slashing, 5:51; CC, McDermott, 10-minute misconduct, 14:58.

Third period – 7. MTU, Kero (Petan, Hyland) :54. Penalties – MTU, B. Pietila, boarding, 5:04; MTU, D. Johnstone, boarding, 6:42.

Power play – CC 1-3, MTU 1-4. Shots on goal – CC 9-9-6 – 24; MTU 13-22-14 –49. Saves-minutes – CC, Howe 13-20-13 – 60:00; MTU, Copley 8-6 — 40:00; Genoe 6—18:29. Referees – Adam, Walsh. Linesmen – Juopperi, Moberg. Attendance – 2,669.

STARTERS

CC, Howe, Harstad, McDermott, Skalbeck, Winkler, Rapuzzi;

MTU, Copley, Stebner, Nielsen, D. Johnstone, Khaira, Gordic

LINES

CC shuffled up its lines a bit with William Rapuzzi moving up the Scott Winkler line with Archie Skalbeck.

Michael Morin steps into the No. 4 line’s left wing spot while Russell Finch is playing left defenseman for Ian Young in the third pairing with Joe Marciano.

Colorado College

LW-C-RW

Krushelnyski-Schwartz-Taft

Skalbeck-Winkler-Rapuzzi

Fejes-Bradley-Hamburg

Maric-Collett-Hanson

LD-RD

Stoykewych-Boivin

Harstad-McDermott

Finch-Marciano

Goalies – Howe, Thorimbert

Michigan Tech

LW-C-RW

B. Pietila-Kero-Petan

D. Johnstone-Khaira-Gordic

Furne-J. Johnstone-C. Pietila

Eick-Rix-Gould

LD-RD

Stebner-Nielsen

Seigo-Sweeney

Hyland-Sova

Goalies -- Phillips, Copley, Genoe

HOUGHTON, Mich. — Playoff-style hockey came a week early for Colorado College and it cost the Tigers in a competitive road game.

Host Michigan Tech used its size and took advantage of the smaller NHL sheet to slow down the Tigers and grind out a 2-0 win over eighth-place CC Friday night.

The loss showed CC that it must battle through a strong defense and attack the net, especially during next week’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoff series at an opponent to be determined.

“Playoff hockey is defensive hockey,” senior center Rylan Schwartz said. “We have to fight and work harder to score.”

It came down to individual battles lost in front of the MTU net.

“I didn’t think we lowered the shoulder and drove to the net enough,” said Tigers coach Scott Owens. “We didn’t pay the price to generate more scoring chances.”

Good scoring opportunities were few on Friday, helping Tech freshman goalie Jamie Phillips record his first college shutout (22 saves) in only his third start to the delight of the 2,639 fans at John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

Michigan Tech 2, Colorado College 0

Colorado College              0              0              0              –0

Michigan Tech   1              0              1              –2

First period – 1. MTU, Gordic (Khaira, D. Johnstone) 9:40. Penalties – MTU, Petan, interference, 6:44; MTU, A. Pietila, tripping, 13:11; CC, McDermott, interference, 14:08.

Second period – No scoring. Penalties – CC, Boivin, slashing, 9:07; CC, Rapuzzi, tripping, 9:24; MTU, Sweeney, holding, 14:42; CC. Krushelnyski, holding, 18:45; MTU, D. Johnstone, unsportsmanlike, 18:45; MTU, J. Johnstone, embellishment, 18:45.

Third period – 2. MTU, Kero (B. Pietila, Seigo) 19:39 (EN).  Penalties – CC, Marciano, interference, 1:16.

Power play – CC 0-4, MTU 0-3. Shots on goal – CC 8-9-5 – 22; MTU 11-11-11 – 33. Saves-minutes — CC, Howe 10-11-10 – 59:41; MTU, Phillips 8-9-5 – 60:00. Referees – Adam, Walsh. Linesmen – Juopperi, Moberg. Attendance – 2,639.

ROUNDUP

Sorry for the delay on the update. The power (and wireless) at my motel and much of downtown Houghton was out until after I fell asleep on  Friday night.

No. 8 St. Cloud State 4, No. 13 Wisconsin 2

MADISON — Jonny Brodzinski, Nick Jensen and Drew LeBlanc scored third-period goals to send St. Cloud State to a 4-2 win against Wisconsin on Friday night at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Huskies earned at least a share of the regular season title with the win.

No. 2 Minnesota 4, Bemidji State 3

BEMIDJI — Junior forward Nick Bjugstad scored his second goal of the game at 14:54 of the third period to lift Minnesota to a 4-3 come-from-behind win against Bemidji State on Friday night at Sanford Center.

No. 5 North Dakota 4, No. 10 Minnesota State 3

MANKATO — Senior forward Carter Rowney and freshman forward Rocco Grimaldi each had a goal and an assist to help North Dakota skate to a 4-3 win against Minnesota State on Friday night at Verizon Wireless Center.

Minnesota-Duluth 5, No. 16 Nebraska-Omaha 4

DULUTH — Senior forward Mike Seidel scored two of Minnesota Duluth’s four goals in the second period as the Bulldogs skated to a 5-4 win against Nebraska Omaha on Friday night at AMSOIL Arena.

No. 12 Denver 7, Alaska-Anchorage 1

DENVER — Sophomore forward Ty Loney had three assists and sophomore forward Zac Larraza scored twice to lead Denver to a 7-1 win against Alaska Anchorage on Friday night at Magness Arena.

DU scored twice in the final 28 seconds of the first period to take a 3-1 lead and blow the game open. The series resumes Sunday morning.

LINES

No changes from Saturday by the Tigers.

Michigan Tech freshman goalie Jamie Phillips gets his second start in a row off heels of 5-1 road win at St. Cloud State.

Colorado College

LW-C-RW

Krushelnyski-Schwartz-Taft

Skalbeck-Winkler-Hanson

Fejes-Bradley-Rapuzzi

Maric-Collett-Hamburg

LD-RD

Stoykewych-Boivin

Harstad-McDermott

Young-Marciano

Goalies – Howe, Thorimbert

Michigan Tech

LW-C-RW

B. Pietila-Kero-Petan

Furne-J. Johnstone-Hietala

D. Johnstone-Khaira-Gordic

Eick-Rix-A. Pietila

LD-RD

Seigo-Sweeney

Hyland-Sova

Stebner-Nielsen

Goalies -- Phillips, Copley, Genoe

TRAVEL ROSTER

Backup goalie Courtney Lockwood, defenseman Michael King, center Jordan DiGiando and wing Scott Wamsganz did not travel with the Tigers for this weekend’s series at Michigan Tech.

The final Western Collegiate Hockey Association game at World Arena is one Tiger fans would like to forget.

Too many penalties, several in a row at times, eventually caught up to Colorado College as No. 9 Minnesota State-Mankato scored three power-play goals in 50 seconds late in the second period en route to a 7-2 win.

“It is a game you definitely want to forget,” said Tigers coach Scott Owens. “We are one of the least-penalized teams in the league. This was a real aberration. We need to learn from it.”

The decisive spurt came after CC (13-16-5, 10-12-4 WCHA) killed off a season-best 14 power plays in a row, including two 5-on-3s, to keep the game scoreless.

After CC senior Rylan Schwartz scored with 2:46 remaining during 4-on-3 action to make it 2-1, MSU (21-10-3, 15-10-1 WCHA) went back on a 5-minute power play.

Matt Leitner scored with 1:03 and 13 seconds left with a goal by Josh Nelson in between to take a 5-1 lead.  With that final score, Leitner recorded a hat trick, all in the second period, and pushed the Mavs into a tie with Wisconsin for fourth with two games left in the regular season.

“This is the time of year you need seniors to be seniors,” Mavs coach Mike Hastings said.

Four of the seven Maverick goals came with the man advantage, a night after CC shut down Division I’s third-rated power play (33 percent). MSU finished 4-for-16 on the night and 4-for-19 for the series.

Johnny McInnis’ goal with 8:09 left in the third was the first goal during 5-on-5 play followed by CC freshman Peter Maric’s first tally as a Tiger with 3:07 left for the final margin.

For the rest of this game story, please go to gazette.com/sections/sports/cchockey/

NOTES

National honors announced

St. Lawrence forward Greg Carey is the Hockey Commissioners Association national player of the month for February. North Dakota senior Danny Kristo garnered honorable mention. The HCA rookie of the month is RPI goalie Jason Kasdorf. St. Cloud State’s Jonny Brodzinski earned honorable mention as a rookie.

Minnesota State leadership turns tide of program

A new coach and strong senior leadership has Minnesota State-Mankato enjoying one of its best seasons in the school’s Division-I era. The Mavericks’ 20 wins entering Friday’s game marks the third time during the DI-era and the first time achieved during the regular season.

“They are putting us in a position where we can win every night,” said assistant coach Darren Blue. “They have done a great job keeping us on the right track. When things haven’t gone well, the guys have played within themselves and within the system instead of trying to do it all themselves. That’s leadership.”

Slap shots

More Oklahoma City players – freshman Taylor Herndon and sophomore Chase Grant – are on the Minnesota State roster than from Wisconsin (junior Josh Nelson). … Freshman Teddy Blueger (Latvia) was the first Mav to play in the World Junior Championships. … MSU’s No. 7 ranking in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll is the program’s best. The previous high was eighth during the 2002-03 season. … Sophomores Jean-Paul Lafontaine, Matt Leitner and Zach Palmquist are MSU’s active leaders in terms of consecutive games played at 72.  The sophomores have not missed a game.

WCHA roundup

No. 16 Wisconsin 6, No. 13 Nebraska-Omaha 3

OMAHA — Junior forward Michael Mersch had two goals and two assists and junior forward Mark Zengerle added a goal and two assists to lead Wisconsin to a 6-2 victory against Nebraska Omaha on Saturday night at CenturyLink Center. The road sweep pushes UW into a tie for fourth with Minnesota State.

No. 2 Minnesota 5, No. 10 Denver 1

MINNEAPOLIS — Junior Zach Budish had two goals and two assists and junior forward Erik Haula added three assists to lead Minnesota to a 5-1 victory against Denver on Saturday night at Mariucci Arena. The loss dropped DU into seventh place.

Michigan Tech 5, No. 7 St. Cloud State 1

ST. CLOUD — Alex Petan had a goal and two assists while Riley Sweeney and Tanner Kero added a goal and an assist each to help lift Michigan Tech to a 5-1 win against St. Cloud State on Saturday at National Hockey Center. The loss and UM win prevented SCSU from clinching the MacNaughton Cup.

No. 6 North Dakota 2, Bemidji State 2 OT

GRAND FORKS — Freshman defenseman Jordan Schmaltz scored at 8:37 of the third period to lift North Dakota into a 2-2 tie against Bemidji State on Saturday night at Engelstad Arena. The tie keeps North Dakota in a tie for second place with Minnesota.

Minnesota-Duluth 4, Alabama-Huntsville 0

DULUTH — Aaron Crandall stopped 23 shots while Austin Farley and Tony Cameranesi had a goal and two assists apiece to help Minnesota Duluth to a 4-0 nonconference win against Alabama-Huntsville on Saturday night at AMSOIL Arena. The Bulldogs are in ninth place, three points behind CC.

Alaska-Fairbanks 3, Alaska-Anchorage 1, early third

ANCHORAGE – The visiting Nanooks looked ready to win the Governors’ Cup for the fourth year in a row.

No. 9 Minnesota State 7, Colorado College 2

Minnesota State            0          5          2          — 7

Colorado College         0          1          1          — 2

First period – No scoring. Penalties — CC, Young, cross-checking, 5:20; MSU, Lafontaine, roughing, 14:04; MSU, Leitner, roughing, 17:25; CC, Marciano, unsportsmanlike conduct, 17:25; CC, McDermott, 5-minute contact to the head, 10-minute game misconduct, 17:56; CC, Boivin, roughing, 5-minute facemasking, 18:55; MSU, LaFontaine, slashing, 18:55; MSU, Nelson, roughing, 18:55.

Second period – 1. MSU, Knowles (Nelson, Gervais) 6:07; 2. MSU, Leitner (Elbrecht, Stern) 15:54;  3. CC, Schwartz (Stoykewych) 17:14 (PP); 4. MSU, Leitner (Lafontaine, Hayes) 18:57 (PP); 5. MSU, Nelson (unassisted) 19:27 (PP); 6. MSU, Leitner (Jutzi, Nelson) 19:47 (PP). Penalties — MSU, Thauwald, roughing, 4:43; CC, Rapuzzi, tripping, 4:52; MSU, Mosey, hooking, 11:15; MSU, Gervais, tripping, 11:40; CC, Marciano, holding, 15:07; MSU, Lehrke, holding, 15:18; CC, Young, 5-minute checking from behind, 10-minute game misconduct, 15:54; MSU, Hayes, charging the goalie, 16:42; MSU, Palmquist, unsportsmanlike conduct, 17:27; CC, Stoykewych, unsportsmanlike conduct, 17:27; CC, Collett, slashing, 20:00.

Third period – 7. MSU, Lehrke (Nelson) 7:49 (PP); 8. MSU, McInnis (Grant) 11:51; 9. CC, Maric (unassisted) 16:53. Penalties — CC, Stoykewych, hooking, 3:15; MSU, hayes, roughing, 3:57; CC. Schwartz, boarding; 6:43; CC, Collett, elbowing, 7:07; MSU, Moesy, tripping, 8:57; MSU, Thauwald, charging, 12:19.

Power-play – MSU 4-16, CC 1-8. Shots on goal – MSU 14-20-11 – 45; CC 9-4-15 – 28. Saves-minutes – MSU, Williams 9-3-14 – 60:00; CC, Howe 14-15 – 40:00, Thorimbert 2-20:00. Referees – Sterns, Bokai. Linesmen – Keltie, Staudte. Attendance – 7,052.

Updated WCHA standings

Saturday’s lines

Not too many changes from the previous night.

Sophomore defenseman Ian Young is in for rookie Russell Finch for the only CC change. Charlie Thauwald is in for freshman Dylan Margonari, who scored MSU’s only goal Friday.

Thauwald, who is making his first appearance this season after seven as a rookie, is the younger brother of former Tigers captain Scott Thauwald (2003-08).

Minnesota State-Mankato

LW-C-RW

Grant-Leitner-McInnis

Gervais-Blueger-Hayes

Knowles-Lafontaine-Gaede

Herndon-Lehrke-Thauwald

LD-RD

Elbrecht-Mosey

Stern-Palmquist

Nelson-Jutzi

Goalies – Williams, Cook

Colorado College

LW-C-RW

Krushelnyski-Schwartz-Taft

Skalbeck-Winkler-Hanson

Fejes-Bradley-Rapuzzi

Maric-Collett-Hamburg

LD-RD

Stoykewych-Boivin

Harstad-McDermott

Young-Marciano

Goalies – Howe, Thorimbert, Lockwood

CC senior Scott Winkler ended an 8-game pointless streak when he banged in a rebound off a hard shot by Mike Boivin during a major penalty on Minnesota State with 7:17 left in the second period to tie the game at 1-1.  It was Winkler’s first point since two goals at North Dakota on Jan. 12.

The power play was set up by a kneeing call against Matt Leitner and a 5-minute contact to the head and game misconduct (available Saturday) against Zach Lehrke.

CC had two more great chances to score but was unable to connect on some meaty rebounds from the usually sound goalie Stephon Williams.

MSU freshman Dylan Margonari picked up an easy tap-in goal after Johnny McInnis’ pass from behind the net was bobbled by center Matt Leitner. But the puck went off a CC defender’s skate and slid slowly across the crease to the far post where Margonari reached in and poked the puck in for the 1-0 lead.

CC senior goalie Joe Howehas 15 saves, including 11 in the opening period.

Minnesota State’s 1-2-2 defensive formation proved sound in the first period, limiting CC to one shot through the first few minutes and keeping the puck below the Tigers’ goal line early.

CC handled the forecheck better after the first few minutes and started to develop better scoring chances, prompting MSU to take a timeout with 5:49 left in the opening stanza after its fourth icing call.

An opening goal by Rylan Schwartz was immediately waved off after the referee ruled the senior knocked the puck in with his hand after a scramble and rebound in front of the MSU net.

Minnesota State-Mankato

LW-C-RW

Grant-Leitner-McInnis

Margonari-Blueger-Hayes

Knowles-Lafontaine-Gaede

Herndon-Lehrke-Gervais

LD-RD

Elbrecht-Mosey

Stern-Palmquist

Nelson-Jutzi

Goalies – Williams, Cook

Colorado College

LW-C-RW

Krushelnyski-Schwartz-Taft

Skalbeck-Winkler-Hanson

Fejes-Bradley-Rapuzzi

Maric-Collett-Hamburg

LD-RD

Stoykewych-Boivin

Harstad-McDermott

Finch-Marciano

Goalies – Howe, Thorimbert, Lockwood

SCSU shifted its lines around quite a bit while CC freshman Cody Bradley is sitting Saturday out.

Jordan DiGiando is centering the fourth line with Jeff Collett up to the third line in Bradley’s place.

St. Cloud State

LW-C-RW

Kossila-LeBlanc-Brodzinski

Hanowski-Dowd-Murray

Oliver-Thorson-Bertsch

Benik-Rehkamp-Holka

LD-RD

Prochno-Jensen

Gravel-Daly

Prow-Johnson

Goalies – Faragher, Phillipi

Colorado College

LW-C-RW

Krushelnyski-Schwartz-Taft

Skalbeck-Winkler-Hamburg

Fejes-Collett-Rapuzzi

Maric-DiGiando-Hanson

LD-RD

Stoykewych-Boivin

Finch-McDermott

Young-Marciano

Goalies – Howe, Thorimbert, Lockwood

Minor tweaks to the CC lines with Jared Hanson and Andrew Hamburg switching right wing spots.

Rookie Russell Finch keeps his spot on the No. 2 defensive duo after three strong games in a row.

St. Cloud State

LW-C-RW

Hanowski-LeBlanc-Kossila

Murray-Dowd-Brodzinski

Benik-Thorson-Bertsch

Milan-Rehkamp-Holka

LD-RD

Prochno-Jensen

Gravel-Daly

Rabey-Prow

Goalies – Faragher, Phillipi

Colorado College

LW-C-RW

Krushelnyski-Schwartz-Taft

Skalbeck-Winkler-Hamburg

Fejes-Bradley-Rapuzzi

Maric-Collett-Hanson

LD-RD

Stoykewych-Boivin

Finch-McDermott

Young-Marciano

Goalies – Howe, Thorimbert, Lockwood