CC sophomore Noah Laba is OT hero for third time this season, stuns No. 12 Western Michigan

By Joe Paisley

There’s something about overtime that brings out the best in Colorado College sophomore Noah Laba.

The Tigers’ scoring leader skated between two Western Michigan defenders and scored just 15 seconds into the extra period to lift 16^th-ranked Colorado College to a 2-1 road victory Friday night in Kalamazoo, Mich.

“I love OT,” Laba told KRDO Radio. “The added pressure kind of excites me.”

It was the National Collegiate Hockey Conference program’s fourth league win a row, an NCHC best for the Tigers in league play.

It was Laba’s third overtime game winner this season and gave CC its best league win streak since the 2012-13 season in the former men’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

Laba’s goal gave CC two of three possible points and moved the Tigers (14-8-1, 8-5-0-4-1-0, 21 points) into a tie with No. 12 WMU (15-7-1, 6-7-0-0-3-0) for fourth in the NCHC standings.

“His ability to attack and build speed is what makes him such a good player,” Tigers coach Kris Mayotte said of the NY Rangers’ draft pick, who has a team-high 20 points and 12 goals. “He caught someone flatfooted and found a way to get it in. He can build speed to get that time and space and slow it down at the right moment to make the move he wants. It is fun to watch. He showed why he will play this game for a long time.”

It was a thriller of a third period with plenty of end-to-end action with both goalies stepping up. WMU’s Cameron Rowe robbed Laba with 8:02 left, setting up a breakaway on the CC end that Tigers sophomore Kaidan Mbereko stifled 11 seconds later. The Tigers sophomore (23 saves) made another highlight-reel stop on Cole Crussberg-Roseen half a minute later.

Mbereko was cool under pressure as usual, calming down the game to keep a surging Broncos squad scoreless in the third, setting up Laba’s OT heroics. CC is now 4-1 in overtime this season.

“He makes the other team earn everything they get,” Mayotte said.

CC freshman fourth-line center Klavs Veinbergs recorded his first goal as a Tiger in just his fifth NCAA game, scoring from three feet out to tie the game at 1-1 with 13:59 left in the second period. The loose puck was the result of a hard shot by senior defenseman Jack Millar that Rowe (29 saves) was unable to handle cleanly. The second assist went to senior Nicklas Andrews, who also assisted Laba’s game winner by collecting Laba’s faceoff win and sending the puck forward as the speedy Michigan native attacked the Broncos zone.

“(Veinbergs) is starting to understand how the details work inside of the game and the reads that lead to good details,” Mayotte said. “It is starting to slow down for him. I wasn’t thrilled with (CC’s fourth) line in the first period, but his line was very good for us, especially in the second period.”

Western Michigan took the lead in the first period when Alex Bump’s power-play shot went in off a CC defender, deflected his shot in under the crossbar for a 1-0 lead with 5:39 remaining. The goal was scored with just one second left on the Broncos’ man advantage.

CC freshman Zaccharya Wisdom, a Seattle Kraken draft pick on CC’s top line, left the game with a likely left leg injury during the second period and did not return for the third.  Forwards Ray Christy and Drew Montgomery were injured but reportedly returned to action.

Tigers forwards Tyler Coffey and Riley Stuart are available for the series finale Saturday at Lawson Ice Arena.

UPDATE

Christy, Montgomery and Wisdom in lineup Saturday.

Colorado College Tigers ranked for first time in 11 years, enters both national polls

Sweeping then-No. 1 North Dakota in Grand Forks for the first time since Thanksgiving weekend 1993 excited the Tigers fans and apparently, some USCHO poll and USA Hockey/The Rink Live poll voters.

For the first time since Dec. 2, 2012, the 9-6-1 Tigers are ranked in the national polls, entering the rankings at No. 20, after two 3-2 overtime wins over UND last weekend.

The last time CC was ranked, it was at No. 19 in the USCHO poll when the Tigers were 8-7-1 (5-3 men’s WCHA) following a 1-1 home weekend against then-No. 7 North Dakota which included an OT loss. Those Tigers finished 18-19-5, losing in the WCHA Final Five title game to Wisconsin.

This year’s Tigers are comfortably in the USCHO poll with 96 points, ahead of Omaha and its 34 and not far behind No. 19 Penn State (105).

The last time CC was ranked in the USA Hockey poll was at No. 14 on Nov. 12, 2012. That poll only ranked the top 15 at that time.

Among the NCHC teams in the USCHO poll, North Dakota dropped from No. 1 to No. 4 while Denver slipped one spot to No. 5 after a road split at now-No. 12 Western Michigan (up one spot).

League-leading St. Cloud State is now at No. 14, moving up one spot, with CC at No. 20 and Omaha receiving votes for what would be 21^st.

Colorado College Tigers open season at home against disciplined Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves

The games count now, amping up the significance and the challenge for Colorado College when it opens play this Homecoming Weekend against Alaska-Anchorage. 

The Seawolves (1-1) are former Western Collegiate Hockey Association rivals and surprised many around college hockey when they knocked off then-No. 14 Western Michigan, 3-1, in their season opener last Friday in Anchorage.  

It was UAA’s first official game in 30 months dating back to a 4-2 loss to Minnesota State on March 7, 2020. The program was eliminated in September 2020 as a cost-cutting measure by the state board of regents then reinstated in August 2021 as an independent after a successful fundraising campaign. 

The result is a brand-new roster featuring 15 transfers with varying levels of NCAA experience that appears to have jelled into a challenging early-season opponent under new coach Matt Shasby. 

“They were fun to watch on film because of how they were committed to their game plan and to who they are,” second-year Tigers coach Kris Mayotte said. “You have to be prepared. It’s a similar type of feel to an Air Force game. They are going to try to get you off of your game, try to force you to make mistakes. You have to match that (intensity) and start to impose your will.” 

Regardless of this weekend’s outcome, there are reasons to hope for an improved Tigers squad in Mayotte’s second season with 83 percent of last year’s points returning, including leading scorer and assistant captain Hunter McKown (21 points, 13 goals), who competed this summer for Team USA at the world junior championships in Edmonton as did freshman goalie Kaidan Mbereko, who will start one of this weekend’s games.  

Senior Matt Vernon will start the other contest. Mayotte did not reveal who would lead the team onto the Robson Arena ice on Friday. 

Other returning top scorers include assistant captain Stanley Cooley and captain Logan Will (18 points, 12 assists each); Matthew Gleason (16, 10 assists in 26 games); Nicklas Andrews (15, 11 assists), Tyler Coffey (13, 10 goals); Danny Weight and captain Bryan Yoon (11, 10 assists each). Last year’s underclassmen accounted for 68 of CC’s 79 goals last season 

The defensive corps got a big boost when Yoon (129 career games) returned as a graduate student for a fifth season, adding an experienced hand alongside Andrews, Jack Millar and Nate Schweitzer. 

The Tigers added eight freshmen including Mbereko, Rangers fourth-round draft pick and forward Noah Laba, forward Ryan Beck and defenseman Ethan Straky. CC also added some considerable size in skilled forwards Cade Ahrenholz, Nikolai Charchenko, Noah Serdachny, and Gleb Veremyev. 

CC, picked sixth in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference preseason poll after finishing seventh last season, lost 12 one-goal games last season. To reverse that trend, the Tigers hope to build upon a good performance in a 5-1 exhibition win at Air Force, picked third in Atlantic Hockey.  

After a slow start, the Tigers scored five unanswered goals, shut down the Falcons power play, and improved as the scrimmage went on.  

“We were moving the puck pretty well and we had some pretty good breakouts,” Yoon said before discussing some areas that needed improvement. “Mostly it’s been our trackbacks and our transition to defense. We were moving the puck well but when we did have those turnovers, we could have been quicker on the back end and getting into our structure a little quicker. Everyone needed that quick little refresher.” 

“It was a good test,” Mayotte said. “I was impressed with the maturity of our guys in sticking with it. Our response to turnovers improved as (the game) went on.”  

Tiger fans will see if that refresher was enough to ready them for the Seawolves in what Mayotte hopes will be a strong start to the program’s 10^th season in the NCHC. 

“The urgency of the college hockey season is what makes it special,” Mayotte said. “No one dips their toe in. There’s no feeling-out period. These games are just as important as the ones in February.”

Where Are They Now? Former Tigers competing in the pros

While there is talk and/or hope of a resumption of the NHL schedule, it is the offseason for many former Colorado College Tigers now plying their skills in the professional ranks in North America or overseas.
I listed everyone I could track down who was under contract this past season with whatever information I dug up on websites and databases (IHDB.com, Eliteprospects.com). I did not include any players who did not play. I include some links to past articles where relevant.
The list is organized by where the former Tiger played the majority of his games or where he was when that league’s season was suspended or canceled. I included some links to past articles if you want to read more.
Former Tigers currently in the pros
NHL
Curtis McElhinney, G — The Ontario native, 36, went 8-7-0-3 in 18 appearances (2.89 goals against, .906 saves percentage) in a backup role for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He is now 90-89-0-18 in 237 NHL games (.909. 2.82 goals).
Jaden Schwartz, F — The 27-year-old winger was on a tear, recording 57 points (22 goals) in 71 games for St. Louis this season. He was second in the NHL with tip-in goals (seven) behind San Jose’s Evander Kane (eight). He led the Blues with 12 playoff goals during the 2018-19 playoffs, which culminated in hoisting the franchise’s first Stanley Cup. Now in his eighth full NHL season, the Saskatchewan native, 27, has 364 points (146 goals) in 520 appearances.

Jaccob Slavin, D — The Erie, Colo. native, 25, recorded 36 points (30 assists) in 68 games for the Carolina Hurricanes this season. He is now at 151 points (122 assists) in 377 NHL career game since his debut on Nov. 18, 2015. And he continues to improve. He was named to the 2020 NHL All-Star Game, where he won the accuracy shooting competition. His time of 9.505 seconds was the best since the NHL expanded to five targets. He is under contract with Carolina through the 2024-25 season.

AHL
Teemu Kivihalme, D — Recorded 18 points (14 assists) in 55 games for Toronto Marlies before receiving a short call-up by the Maple Leafs (DNP). The 24-year-old spent the previous two seasons playing for Karpat in his father’s native Finland.
Gustav Olofsson, D — The native of Sweden recorded 16 points (15 assists) in his first season with the Laval Rocket. The 25-year-old has 11 assists in 59 NHL appearances, including three Canadiens games (no points) this season. His contract with the Montreal organization was extended on March 21 and lasts through the 2020-21 season.
Nate Prosser, D — Recorded 10 points (nine assists) in 59 games (his first full AHL season) for Lehigh Valley after signing a one-year deal with the Flyers organization. The Phantoms assistant captain, 33, spent his previous nine pro seasons with the Minnesota Wild. He has recorded 47 points in 354 NHL contests (one game, no points, 2017-18 Blues).
Peter Stoykewych, D — Manitoba Moose captain’s season was cut short by injury (12 games, one assist). The Winnipeg native, 27, has 72 points in 267 games for his hometown AHL team.

ECHL
Mason Bergh, F — Started the 2019-20 season with AHL Ontario Reign (three points, 25 games) before being sent down to Fort Wayne, where the 25-year-old recorded 19 points (10 goals) in 29 contests.
Trey Bradley, F — The 23-year-old winger recorded 34 points (14 goals) in 48 games for the defending champion Newfoundland Growlers.
Trevor Gooch, F — The New Jersey native, 25, put together a solid first full pro season with 22 points (12 goals), 22 penalty minutes and a plus-10 rating in 40 games for the Reading Royals.
Alex Krushelnyski, F — The 29-year-old fought through injuries to record 30 points (11 goals) in 28 games for the Indy Fuel.
Overseas
Richard Bachman, G — The 32-year-old started the season with AHL Utica before being loaned by the Canucks organization on Feb. 12 to last-place Oskarhamn of the top Swedish league. His season ended with three appearances overseas.
Nick Dineen, F — The former Pikes Peak Miner, 31, is under contract for his 10th pro season (2020-21) in Europe. He served as captain in his third year with Norway’s Lillehammer (site of the 1994 Winter Olympics), recording 50 points (22 goals) in 45 games.
Hunter Fejes, F — We should only hope for his frequent flyer miles. The 25-year-old forward finished this season with his 10th pro team, LInz of the Austrian league, where he tallied 21 points (13 goals) in 24 games. He also played this season with ECHL Orlando Solar Bears (10 points, 15 games) and the AHL Manitoba Moose (one assist, seven games).

Cody Lampl, D — The 33-year-old fan favorite recorded six assists in 45 games in his third season for the Mannheim Eagles. The 13-year pro has 92 points (69 assists) in 228 games in German league after playing in 276 ECHL games (87 points, 71 assists) earlier in his career. He is under contract for his 14th season (fourth in Mannheim) in 2020-21.
Alex Leclerc, G — The Quebec native, 25, appeared in 56 games, winning 23, while stopping a Elite Ice Hockey League high 1,773 shots for the Dundee (Scotland) Stars, which named him as the franchise’s player of the year.
William Rapuzzi, F — The 30-year-old Anchorage native recorded 27 points (15 goals) in 39 games for Austria’s Dornbin.
Rylan Schwartz, F — The center ended the season with the Stavanger OIlers of Norway, recording seven points (three goals) in eight games. During his seventh full pro season, the 30-year-old left the Nurnberg Ice Tigers of Germany on Feb. 11 after tallying 10 points (five goals) in 31 games.
Mike Testwuide, F — He played his second season with the Daemyung Killer Whales (21 points, 35 games). He has 283 points in 267 games over seven seasons in the Asia League. The Vail native, 33, is a dual citizen of the U.S. and South Korea, allowing him to play for the host team in the 2018 Winter Olympics.

 

 

A story about former Colorado College bench boss Scott Owens, who announced his retirement from coaching hockey

Scott Owens is a very good coach and an even better person. There are numerous examples. You may have some of your own.
Here is one of mine that I wish to share upon news of his retirement from coaching.
I was laid off by the Gazette on Dec. 1 , 2011, the day before the DU at CC game. I was sitting down to write the preview when I got the call to come in immediately and bring my work laptop.
I joined the unemployed ranks of so many sportswriters before me and since. I knew the possibility but kept working, hoping and half expecting that it wouldn’t happen to me.
Now, I was stunned, scared and did not know what to do. It makes me queasy thinking about it now.
Everything is pretty much a blur until about 3 1/2 hours later. In the interim, then-Gazette sports editor Jim O’Connell had called former CC sports information director Dave Moross to inform him someone else would be covering Friday night’s home game.
Moross passed the news on to Owens after that night’s practice.
Owens called me to see how I was doing. Most coaches wouldn’t. He had no reason to treat me any differently. We got along, but we weren’t friends.
He asked how I was and gave me some words of encouragement. I babbled a response. I thanked him for calling. Hopefully, I cannot remember the call clearly.
But I do remember the gratitude I felt.
That gesture showed me a lot about why so many think the world of Owens. That gesture meant a lot to me then. It still does.
Best wishes to Scott Owens in his retirement.

Monday reading: Recaps and reactions, updated WCHA standings

Here are recaps of Sunday’s notable games. The rankings will change later today.

No. 18 Wisconsin 3, No. 2 Minnesota 2

CHICAGO — Sophomore goaltender Joel Rumpel made 36 saves while sophomore forward Brendan Woods had two assists to lead Wisconsin to a 3-2 victory against Minnesota on Sunday in the OfficeMax Hockey City Classic at Chicago’s Soldier Field.

“Joel was given the game puck by the team,” Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves said. “His performance in the first period allowed us to get or feet underneath us.”

No. 12 Notre Dame 2, No. 3 Miami 1

CHICAGO — Notre Dame clinched a first-round CCHA playoff bye with a 2-1 win over Miami at the Hockey City Classic at Soldier Field, its first win over the RedHawks since Dec. 3, 2010.

Notre Dame freshman forward Mario Lucia opened the scoring midway through the second period. Junior forward Jeff Costello increased the Irish’s lead, finding the back of the net at the 8:33 mark of the third period.

Miami freshman forward Kevin Morris cut Notre Dame’s lead in half, but that was the only goal the RedHawks would score as Notre Dame held on for the win. Junior goaltender Steven Summerhays made 22 saves for Notre Dame, while Miami freshman goaltender Ryan McKay turned aside 26 shots.

Also, it was a tough week to be a top team as the Gophers beat writer points out.

No. 9 Minnesota State, the only top 10 team to sweep an opponent, is in third place in the WCHA entering a bye week.

2012-2013 WCHA STANDINGS

		WCHA Games								Overall
		GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA		W	L	T	GF	GA
1	St. Cloud State	22	15	6	1	31	74	47		18	11	1	99	72
2	Nebraska Omaha	24	14	8	2	30	83	70		18	12	2	112	88
3	Minnesota State	24	14	9	1	29	77	57		20	9	3	104	71
4	Minnesota	22	12	6	4	28	73	53		20	6	4	110	59
	North Dakota	22	11	5	6	28	72	56		16	8	6	96	74
6	Wisconsin	24	10	7	7	27	54	53		13	10	7	68	62
7	Denver	22	10	7	5	25	70	64		15	9	5	98	77
8	Colorado College	22	8	10	4	20	72	77		11	14	5	100	105
	Minnesota Duluth	24	8	12	4	20	59	72		10	16	4	73	89
10	Bemidji State	24	5	13	6	16	50	72		6	17	7	62	89
	Michigan Tech	24	6	14	4	16	62	82		10	16	4	89	94
12	Alaska Anchorage	26	2	18	6	10	50	93		4	19	7	61	104

WCHA roundup: SCSU snaps DU’s league series streak

No. 19 St. Cloud State 5, No. 7 Denver 1

ST. CLOUD — The Huskies earned the sweep with a huge 5-1 win over the Pioneers at the National Hockey and Event Center on Saturday, Jan. 19. SCSU opened the weekend with a 5-2 win over Denver on Jan. 18 at the NHEC.

The two Husky wins marked the first time that DU has been swept in league play since a pair of setbacks at the National Hockey and Event Center on Nov. 14-15, 2008.

The Huskies maintained control of the contest from start to finish as they opened the first period by outshooting Denver 20-7. DU goalie Sam Brittain turned aside 19 shots in the period before SCSU’s David Morley finally hit pay dirt with a power play marker at 19:18 of the first period to make it 1-0. Senior Ben Hanowski and freshman Kalle Kossila had assists on the play for the Huskies.

In the second period, Morley chalked up his second power play goal of the evening at 5:27 that also proved to be the game winner. Hanowski and postseason honors candidate Drew LeBlanc combined for the assists on the play, which was Morley’s eighth goal of the year.

Hanowski now has 53 goals and 47 assists in his four years with the Huskies and his season totals moved to eight goals and 10 assists this winter.

LeBlanc also enjoyed another strong evening of play for the Huskies, which moved his point streak to 13 games – dating back to Nov. 24. LeBlanc continues to lead the nation with 27 assists this year and ranks second in the country with 34 points. As a Husky, LeBlanc’s career point totals move to 36 goals and 95 assists. His career point total of 131 moves him into 10th place on the team charts ahead of Brandon Sampair, who had 129 points from 1998-01.

SCSU coach Bob Motzko also passed a milestone this weekend with his 150th career win on Jan. 18, which also marked his 100th career win in WCHA play. In eight seasons at the helm in St. Cloud, Motzko owns a 151-119-34 overall record and a 101-84-27 record in WCHA play.

No. 1 Minnesota 4, No. 6 North Dakota 4 OT

MINNEAPOLIS — Junior forwards Nick Bjugstad and Nate Condon scored third-period goals as Minnesota rallied to earn a 4-4 tie against North Dakota on Saturday at Mariucci Arena.

Michigan Tech 2, Bemidji State 2 OT

HOUGHTON — Sophomore forward Blake Pietila scored his 13th goal of the season at 3:06 of the third period to lift Michigan Tech into a 2-2 tie with Bemidji State on Saturday night at John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

No. 8 Miami 2, Wisconsin 1

MADISON — Junior forward Michael Mersch scored a goal but the Wisconsin Badgers fell to the Miami RedHawks, 2-1, on Saturday night in non-conference action at Kohl Center.

Losing its first game in nearly two months, UW’s 11-game unbeaten streak (8-0-3) came to an end inside the Kohl Center, but not without a competitive and spirited effort, as the Badgers took the RedHawks down to the final whistle.

“We can play at a higher pace now,” said senior wing Mark Zengerle. “This weekend brought our team to a new level.”

2012-2013 WCHA STANDINGS

		WCHA Games								Overall
		GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA		W	L	T	GF	GA
1	Minnesota	16	9	3	4	22	56	39		17	3	4	93	45
	St. Cloud State	16	11	5	0	22	55	36		14	10	0	80	61
3	Nebraska Omaha	16	9	5	2	20	59	49		13	9	2	88	67
	North Dakota	16	8	4	4	20	57	46		13	7	4	81	64
	Denver	18	8	6	4	20	57	54		13	8	4	85	67
6	Minnesota Duluth	18	8	7	3	19	50	51		10	11	3	64	68
7	Wisconsin	16	6	5	5	17	35	36		9	8	5	49	45
	Minnesota State	17	8	8	1	17	51	46		14	8	3	78	60
9	Colorado College	18	7	10	1	15	60	66		10	14	2	88	94
10	Bemidji State	16	4	8	4	12	36	49		5	12	5	48	66
	Michigan Tech	18	4	10	4	12	44	61		7	12	4	63	71
12	Alaska Anchorage	17	1	12	4	6	31	58		3	13	5	42	69

WCHA adds Alabama-Huntsville to fold for next season

This is great news for those who have been worried about Alabama-Huntsville’s future and for WCHA fans. UAH should be a competitive program soon.

From the WCHA …

MADISON, Wis. – The Western Collegiate Hockey Association men’s membership voted today (January 17) to admit the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) as a full-time men’s conference member. The vote of approval was taken after UAH submitted an application for membership and made a formal presentation to a WCHA group of member-team Presidents and Athletic Directors at a meeting held in conjunction with the NCAA Convention in Dallas, Tex.

The addition of University of Alabama in Huntsville into college hockey’s most historic and successful conference will bring future men’s league membership to 10 teams. Their membership will be effective as soon as 2013-14.

WCHA men’s membership in 2013-14 currently consists of University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Bemidji State University, Bowling Green State University, Ferris State University, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Technological University, Minnesota State University, Mankato and Northern Michigan University.

In issuing a joint statement on behalf of the Association, Dr. Richard Davenport, President of Minnesota State University, Mankato and Chair of the WCHA President’s Group, and Bruce McLeod, Commissioner of the WCHA, said “The WCHA is delighted to have reached in principle an agreement to officially welcome University of Alabama in Huntsville into the Association family as a full-time men’s member. This is a significant day for the Chargers, the community of Huntsville, the conference itself, and college hockey in general. Growing the game and assisting developing programs however possible has always been a charge of the WCHA and this is another positive evolution in our history.

“Each of our member institutions are 100% committed to keeping the WCHA among the premier conferences in all of collegiate athletics and our respective ice hockey programs both strong and vibrant. The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a dynamic, top-quality institution with an excellent academic and athletic reputation and without question the Chargers are going to be a great fit and a successful, contributing member. 

“Just as the entire UAH campus and the Huntsville community are exhilarated to now have a welcoming home for their men’s hockey program, the WCHA is also extremely proud and gratified to be providing that home.”

Said University of Alabama in Huntsville President Robert Altenkirch, “We’re pleased that our ice hockey team is going to have the opportunity to compete and grow in a NCAA Division 1 conference. We believe that our affiliation with the Western Collegiate Hockey Association will be a tremendous boost to our recruiting, scheduling and our ability to be competitive on the ice.

“We want to thank the WCHA and its member institutions for their confidence in allowing us to be a part of their conference. Their affirmative vote will invigorate our ability to maintain our great hockey tradition.”

UAH Director of Athletics Dr. E.J. Brophy said, “All athletic programs experience special defining moments, and our hockey program’s acceptance today into the Western Collegiate Hockey Association is certainly one of those moments. The WCHA is a preeminent hockey conference in America, and I know that our student-athletes, coaches, fans, friends, alums and the people of Huntsville are ecstatic and proud of this giant step for our ice hockey program.

“The last time we were in a conference, we won the conference tournament and advanced to the NCAA tournament, which will be our immediate and ambitious goal when we begin play in the WCHA. It is a banner day for the Chargers.”

Monday reading: Preissing, radio show, weekend reviews, Hobey

Former Tiger Tom Preissing, who played for EHCB  last season, signed with Biel and went through a tryout with the German league team last weekend. I will update his status when I stumble across it. Thanks to Tim Matthewson for finding this article and to Google translate.

The monthly Scott Owens radio show is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at McCabe’s Tavern, downtown Colorado Springs.

Here are three observations on this weekend in the WCHA, including a note on CC.

Hockey East’s standings are tightening up. The CCHA goaltending was quite good while the Hobey Baker race is underway.

Thursday reading: WCHA column, Winkler, Heil, Rothstein, Enga, Slavvin

I started new irregular features in the weekly WCHA column on USCHO, one focusing on an “unsung hero” for Bemidji State who has a young daughter and wife and still manages to find time to be a league academic honoree and log a lot of quality ice time for the Beavers. The Series Spotlight segment, naturally, deals with CC and Denver this weekend starting the annual battle for the Gold Pan Trophy, pictured.

CC senior Scott Winkler has the best numbers of any NCAA prospect for the Stars, especially in plus/minus.

Chicago Steel forward and CC commit Christian Heil scored two goals in 34 seconds during the third period of Sunday’s 5-2 loss to Indiana.  It gives the 18-year-old five goals over his last four games and pushed him into a tie for third in the USHL with 10 goals this season.

Future Tiger Sam Rothstein scored two goals for the Sioux Falls Stampede Saturday in the team’s USHL-leading eighth home win.

Former Tiger RJ Enga and CC commit Jaccob Slavin played key roles in Team USA’s World Junior A challenge championship. Enga served at an assistant coach while Slavin was an assistant captain.

Former Penn State club coach Joe Battista penned this column praising Air Force coach Frank Serratore and hockey people in general.