Record-At 10-5-1, only one team has a better winning % than the Tigers at the Christmas break. Considering the youth of this team along with the numerous injuries (Seniors Hartnell & Cheyne, juniors Gudmundson & Tanberg, sophomores Austin & Waldo, and freshmen Peters & Karpan have all missed at least one game due to injury), that=92s a very nice accomplishment Prior to the most recent weekend sweep, Lucia said that with a sweep, he and the team would be very happy with the first half of this season. Keep in mind, too, that last year=92s amazing graduating class left this as a rebuilding year. Grade A Offense-A question mark going into the season, CC is second in the league in scoring (4.44 G/Gm.), has 6 of the league=92s top 14 scorers an= d has 8 scorers in double figures. The power play is third in the league (21.3%) despite a dismal 0-26 start (take away the horrible start and the PP is at 28% which would lead the league). CC does lead the league with 23 power play goals. In addition, the Tigers are the most accurate shooters in the WCHA, scoring on 13.71% of their shots (the league average is 11.21%) Grade A Defense-This season=92s biggest disappointment. Expectations were very high after returning virtually the entire excellent defensive corps from last year. Currently, they are allowing the third fewest shots per game in the WCHA (27.1), but early on, many of these shots have been of the high quality variety (odd man rushes and defensive zone turnovers). The result is the fourth poorest goals against average in the league (3.56)=20 Sure, as the offense struggled early, the defense took more risks, resulting in breaks for opponents. But as the offense has begun to click, there continue to be too many mistakes from this talented crew.=20 Look for significant improvement in the second half. Grade C Goaltending-This aspect of the team has also been a little disappointing and occasionally inconsistent. Many anticipated a performance from Judd Lambert resembling last year=92s league leading 2.05 goals against averag= e and .923 saves percentage. Instead, Lambert is currently tied for 10th in goals against (3.40) and 11th in saves percentage (.875). Jason Cugnet came in highly touted and has definitely shown why at times. At other times, however, he has missed some savable shots. With numbers similar to Lambert=92s, CC=92s goaltending tandem has combined for 8th in the league in overall save percentage (.872). Though it is difficult to evaluate goaltending and defense separately, there are a decent chunk of goals that both Lambert and Cugnet would like to take another shot at saving. Grade C+ Recruiting-This is certainly a bright spot for the Tigers. Freshmen have already been well integrated into this year=92s squad and have tallied 48 points (26% of the team total). Toby Peterson is the highest scoring freshman in the WCHA (depending on your perspective on UND=92s Jason Blake). Dan Peters has already been named both rookie of the week and defensive player of the week and Jason Cugnet has shown streaks of=20 very good talent in the nets. CC has garnered a league leading 3 rookie of the week honors. Grade A+ Coaching-Perhaps one of the stronger tributes to Lucia=92s coaching is CC=92s current streak of 54 series=92 without being swept. Sure talent h= as a lot to do with the streak, but keeping it alive this year has required second game victories in three of their eight series=92. I definitely se= e that as a result of good coaching. The consistently even keel with which he approaches this team of great potential despite it=92s youthful mistakes has reaped some dividends already. Positive, realistic and seldom critical (apart from his decisive and sharp criticism of dirty play from his team), Lucia appears to be the type of coach that gets the most from his players. Grade A Outlook-The schedule makers were not kind to the Tigers this year. A full 7 of their final 10 games this season are on the road. Consistency and the growing maturity of this young team will determine how far they go. CC must improve in the second half if they expect to keep the MacNaughton Cup in the Springs. 42 points likely won=92t win the league this year. In the past 10 seasons, a .656 winning percentage would have won the league only once, though it would have beaten the second place team 7 of 10 times. Who will peak and who will fade? The Tigers have put themselves within striking distance half-way through and certainly have nothing to complain about. Overall grade A- or B+ HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.