COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Fifth-ranked Colorado College registered three special-teams goals to shut out the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves,
5-0, in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association game Friday evening in front
of 6,890 spectators at the World Sports Arena.
The Tigers (10-2-1, 7-1-1) picked up their sixth straight
win as they continue top the conference with 15 points, while the Seawolves
(5-10-0, 3-8-0) were held scoreless for the second time this season. UAA now sits ninth in the league with six points.
The Tigers took the lead with a power-play tally by senior
Kris Fredheim – his third of the season – after senior defenseman Nils Backstrom
received a two-minute penalty for holding the stick. Fredheim struck at 11:06
of the first period, 24 seconds into the UAA penalty kill.
At 16:49 of the frame, CC freshman William
Rapuzzi extended the Tiger lead with his first goal of the night and
fifth of the season. Colorado College had just finished killing off two
back-to-back minor penalties at 16:37, when Rapuzzi sent the puck by junior
goaltender Bryce Christianson.
The Tigers added their third goal of the evening at 11:23 of
the second period with a short-handed goal by senior captain Mike Testwuide.
Less than three minutes later, and six seconds into a CC power play, junior Ryan
Lowery picked up his third goal of the season at 14:07, giving the Tigers a 4-0
lead after two periods.
Rapuzzi added his second tally with both teams at full strength
at 7:50 of the third period.
Christianson (3-5-0), who was removed from net halfway
through the third with an injury, posted 20 saves in the loss. Senior Jon Olthuis
replaced Christianson and stopped four shots. For CC, freshman Joe Howe
recorded 24 saves en route to the victory, improving his record to 9-1-1.
CC outshot UAA, 29-24.
Both teams were whistled for six penalties apiece, serving
12 minutes in the box. UAA failed to score on six power-play opportunities,
while the Tigers proved why they are the No. 1 team in the nation on the power
play. CC two power-play goals improved its percentage to .316 with the man-advantage this season.
The Seawolves were short a defenseman for the majority of
the game after junior Luka Vidmar was injured early in the first period.
Alaska Anchorage and Colorado College will reunite tomorrow
night at 5:07 p.m. AST.
