Box Score

A valiant effort fell just short Friday night as Colorado College dropped a 2-1 decision to No. 4 St. Cloud State at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, Minn.
 
Freshman Jacob Nehama made 34 saves, senior Cody Bradley scored CC's only goal and the Tigers held the second-ranked power play in the country scoreless, but it wasn't enough to overcome two first period goals. The Tigers, which hadn't played since Dec. 19, fell to 4-17 overall and 2-9 in the NCHC, while SCSU improved to 17-4 and 9-2.
 
"It was a long break and we needed to get the rust off," head coach Mike Haviland said. "After the first 10 minutes, we found our legs and our compete level went up."
 
Mikey Eyssimont opened the scoring with a wrister from the left circle that eluded Nehama just four minutes into the game. Patrick Nelson doubled the lead at the 12:07 mark of the first period by deflecting a pass from Eyssimont past Nehama from right in front of the net.
 
The Tigers outplayed St. Cloud State in the second period and were rewarded when Bradley cut the lead in half with the only goal of the frame. After SCSU's Jimmy Schuldt was called for tripping at the 3:34 mark, Bradley took a pass from Teemu Kivihalme and beat Charlie Lindgren with a blast from the right point just five seconds into the power play. Senior Hunter Fejes started the play and notched his ninth point in the last seven games and team-leading 13^th of the season with his assist.

The Tigers had a great chance in the final minutes when SCSU's Kalle Kossila was called for roughing with 3:04 remaining in the third period. The Tigers then pulled Nehama for the final 21 seconds of the power play and the rest of the game, but could not solve Lindgren for the tying goal.
 
After the Huskies held a 15-6 shot advantage in the first 20 minutes, each team attempted 21 shots in the final two periods. Lindgren finished the game with 26 saves and won his league-leading 16^th game of the season.
 
"If we keep playing like that, we will win some games," Haviland said. "It would be nice to win one of these close ones."
 
The Tigers were solid on the penalty kill all evening, erasing all five penalties. SCSU had a man-advantage opportunity early in each of the first two periods as CC took a penalty just 51 seconds into the first period and 12 seconds into the middle frame.
 
"Our penalty kill was really good tonight," Haviland said. "Jacob (Nehama) made some huge saves on the penalty kill."
 
The two teams play again tomorrow night, beginning at 7:07 pm (CT).