from Gazette-Telegraph 10/30
http://usa.net/gazette/today/spt400.html
 
Colorado College powers past Fighting Sioux, 8-2
Tigers' special teams spark win in WCHA opener
By Steve Page
 
Points of emphasis.
That's what the NCAA calls its determination to enforce various rules as each
new hockey season begins.
This year, referees have been told to be highly critical of infractions
involving raised sticks, such as high-sticking and cross-checking.
Saturday afternoon, Chick Yackel and John Boche were up to their assigned task,
whistling Colorado College and the University of North Dakota for 23
penalties, eight of which included the aforementioned violations.
CC countered with its own point of emphasis -- the power play.
The Tigers scored on their first four advantage situations in the first period
and cruised to an 8-2 victory over the Sioux in their Western Collegiate Hockey
Association opener at Air Force's Cadet Ice Arena. They meet again at 2:05 p.m.
today.
"Obviously, the power play was a point of emphasis this week in practice," said
CC coach Don Lucia.
His club hadn't had time to concentrate on special teams before opening the
season last weekend at the University of Michigan. CC was 0 for 11 on power
plays in a two-game split at Ann Arbor.
The Tigers pleased their 1,976 fans -- the school's students are on break --
by scoring on 5 of 9 power plays. The WCHA single-game record for power-play
goals is seven.
"There's no question it (the power play) won the game for us tonight," Lucia
said. "They're calling it tight, both ways. They're not afraid of putting you
two men down."
North Dakota spent the final third of the opening period skating at least one
man short, and the Tigers obliged with four goals in the first 20 minutes,
including two while playing with a two-man advantage. CC also added a
short-handed goal.
CC's all-junior first line of center Colin Schmidt and wings Peter Geronazzo
and Jason Christopherson packed most of the punch, totaling four goals and six
assists. Schmidt of Regina, Saskatchewan, scored two goals and set up two;
Geronazzo of Trail, British Columbia, scored once and assisted thrice; and
Christopherson of Burnsville, Minn., added a goal and an assist.
"I couldn't believe how many power plays there were," Schmidt said. "We worked
on the power play a lot in practice. I think it showed."
Even with their big lead -- 7-1 after two periods -- the Tigers continued to
beat the Sioux to most loose pucks. When they did lose an occasional edge,
goaltender Ryan Bach was there to stop 27 shots, including several spectacular
saves on point-blank efforts.
"We don't want to be happy winning by three or four (goals)," Schmidt said. "We
want to be taking it to 'em every night."
First-year UND coach Dean Blais said, "They (the Tigers) just out-quicked us in
every situation. On those two 5-on-3's, you could see the wind go out of our
sails. Then it got worse. When it started to crumble, it really crumbled."
CC stacked three forwards on top of Sioux goaltender Toby Kvalevog, swamping
him with 22 first-period shots, many of which came from point-blank range. The
sophomore from Bemidji, Minn., finished with 40 saves.
Third-line center Jay McNeill scored two of CC's goals, and Chad Remackel, his
left wing, scored once and assisted twice. Third-line wing Ryan Reynard scored
once and set up another score.
Bill Trew and Darcy Mitani netted the Sioux' scores.
 
(end of article)
 
 
Karen Heasley
Colorado College '95
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