Faceoff at Falcon Stadium
Colorado College and Air Force battle in the Faceoff at Falcon Stadium on Monday, Feb. 17, at 5:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast in Colorado Springs on KRDO NewsRadio 105.5 and 92.5 FM and 1240 AM, and streamed live on Flohockey.tv.
Last Time Out
Connor Mayer scored twice and
Ben Copeland added three assists to lead CC to a 6-2 victory over Air Force Friday night at the Broadmoor World Arena. With the victory, the Tigers snapped an eight-game winless streak, retained possession of the Pikes Peak Trophy and improved their overall record against the Falcons to 62-13-2. After
Chris Wilkie notched his NCHC-leading 19th goal of the season in the first period, CC pulled away with three goals in the first 2:34 of the middle frame.
Nick Halloran found himself behind the Air Force defense and poked the puck past goalie Alex Schilling just 11 seconds into the period for a 2-0 lead. Following coincidental penalties at the 1:09 mark, the Tigers notched a couple of 4-on-4 goals.
Alex Berardinelli scored on a breakaway at the 2:13 mark, sparking Air Force coach Frank Serratore to pull Schilling in favor of Zach LaRocque, then Mayer scored 21 seconds later from the slot to make it 4-0. The Falcons pulled to within two as Marshall Bowery scored a power-play goal at the 8:57 mark, then tallied his second of the game at 16:58 of the middle frame. Colorado College settled down in the third period as Mayer scored his second of the game at the 9:16 mark when his shot from the left point deflected off an Air Force defender past LaRocque.
Grant Cruikshank wrapped up the scoring with a power-play goal with 1:36 remaining, giving the Tigers their highest output since a 7-3 victory over St. Lawrence on Dec. 29.
Tiger Tales
Connor Mayer produced the first two-goal game of his career ...
Ben Copeland dished out a career-high three assists ...
Bryan Yoon notched a career-high +5 ...
Chris Wilkie led all players with five shots ...
Zach Berzolla led the Tigers with four blocked shots.
Pikes Peak Trophy
The Tigers retained the Pikes Peak Trophy with the 6-2 victory over Air Force Friday night. In 2013, Colorado College and Air Force established the Pikes Peak Trophy in memory of the former head coach of both schools, John Matchefts. Matchefts compiled a record of 54-88-3 in five seasons (1966-71) at the Colorado College helm before posting a ledger of 154-150-6 in 11 years (1974-85) with Air Force. Â
Second Outdoor Game For Colorado College
Monday's game will be the second outdoor game ever for the CC hockey program and the first in Colorado Springs. The Tigers played Denver at Coors Field on Feb. 20, 2016 in the "Battle on Blake." Tickets for the Faceoff at Falcon Stadium are available for $25 and can be purchased by contacting the Air Force ticket office at (719) 472-1895. CC fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in the designated CC sections – L23, M23, L24 and M24.
The Coaches
Mike Haviland (Elmira College, '90) is in his sixth season at the helm of the Tigers. He came to Colorado College after serving one year as head coach of the Hershey Bears (AHL). Haviland was an assistant coach for the Chicago Blackhawks from 2008-12, helping the team win the Stanley Cup in 2010 … Frank Serratore (Bemidji State, '82) is in his 23rd season with the Falcons. He previously coached at Denver and has head coaching experience in the USHL and the IHL.
For the Record
Colorado College is 9-16-2 overall and 3-13-2 in the NCHC, good for eighth place in the league with 12 points ... Air Force is 8-16-5 overall and 8-11-5 in Atlantic Hockey, good for seventh place.
Previous Meetings
Colorado College and Air Force have met 77 times, with the Tigers holding a 62-13-2 advantage in the series.
Scouting the Falcons
Brady Tomlak leads Air Force with 20 points (7g,13a), followed by Zack Mirageas with 18 (2g,16a) and Brandon Koch with 14 (4g,10a). Alex Schilling is 8-9-5 with a 2.65 goals-against average and .896 saves percentage. Â
Another Tough Schedule
The Tigers are scheduled to play 10 of their 34 regular-season games this season against teams that are ranked in last week's USCHO.com Top 20 Poll. Colorado College also will play eight games against teams that received votes and 10 contests against the last four national champions (North Dakota, Denver and Minnesota Duluth). Â
Wilkie Up There in National Stats
Chris Wilkie leads the nation with 138 shots and shots per game (5.11). Wilkie, who leads the Tigers in scoring with 27 points (19g,8a), leads the NCHC and is tied for third in the country with 19 goals.
Wilkie and Halloran Nominated for Hobey Baker Award
Chris Wilkie and
Nick Halloran are among 79 student-athletes nominated for the 2020 Hobey Baker Award. The Hobey Baker Award is presented annually to the collegiate hockey player who best demonstrates strength of character both on and off the ice, contributes to the integrity of his team and displays outstanding skills in all phases of the game. Colorado College has had two winners since the first Hobey Baker was awarded in 1981, Peter Sejna (2003) and Marty Sertich (2005).
Halloran Moves Into Top 100
Nick Halloran moved into the top 100 on CC's career scoring list with an assist on Feb. 18 at Western Michigan. With his goal vs. Air Force on Friday night, he has 91 career points (37g,54a), good for a tie for 89th place with Jesse Heerema (1998-02), Greg Smith (1973-76) and Andy Gambucci (1950-53).
Top Baker's Dozen in Fewest Penalties
The Tigers are 13th in the country for fewest penalties taken this season with 109 in 27 games. Â
Very Defensive in Nine Wins
In the nine victories this season, the Tigers have allowed just 17 goals, and given up 80 in the other 18 games.
Hundreds Celebrate Robson Arena Groundbreaking
Never in the storied 80-year history of Colorado College Tiger Hockey has the team played its home games on campus. Thanks to the vision of President Jill Tiefenthaler and the Board of Trustees, along with the generosity of donors, including former CC hockey player Ed Robson '54, P'79, G'11, and many others, that will change in 2021.
President Tiefenthaler and Mr. Robson joined Colorado College Vice President and Director of Athletics
Lesley Irvine, hockey coach
Mike Haviland and Colorado Springs City Council President Richard Skorman in talking about the importance of the Ed Robson Arena at the official groundbreaking ceremony Saturday, Feb. 15, on the CC campus.
The state-of-the-art arena will maximize the student-athlete experience and enhance the ability to recruit the best to Colorado College, while educating and training our Tigers to compete for and win conference and national championships. It will house 3,400+ chair-back seats, locker room, film room, player's lounge, staff offices, academic success area, sports medicine, and strength and performance center, providing a true home ice advantage for CC Tiger Hockey. The Ed Robson Arena is also part of the City for Champions project, which is targeted to increase local and state tourism and generously boost local economies. In addition, it will build upon the unique Olympic City USA brand that establishes Colorado Springs' reputation as a regional sports, health and fitness hub for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. On Tuesday, Dec. 10, the Colorado Springs City Council unanimously approved the Ed Robson Arena project and the arena is expected to open in the fall of 2021.
Enga Follows in Father's Footsteps
The Faceoff at Falcon Stadium will be special for Colorado College assistant coach
R.J. Enga. His father, Richard, was an assistant coach for the Air Force football team, coaching the team's tight ends from 1982-2006. He coached numerous games in Falcon Stadium, and now his son will get his chance to coach in the same stadium on Monday.
On the Air
All CC games in 2019-20, home and away, will be broadcast live throughout Southern Colorado on KRDO NewsRadio 105.5 and 92.5 FM and 1240 AM, featuring Ken Landau with the play-by-play. Both of this weekend's pre-game shows start 30 minutes before faceoff. The broadcasts also can be heard worldwide via the Internet ... Selected games will also be available on KSBV 93.7 FM in Cripple Creek, Divide, Buena Vista, Monarch and Leadville.
