Colorado Springs – Michael Olson scored a short-handed goal in the second period Friday, and St. Cloud State held on to beat Colorado College 2-1 in the opening game of their first-round Western Collegiate Hockey Association series.
The Tigers (23-14-2, 15-12-2 WCHA ) scored first when Jimmy Kilpatrick had an unassisted goal at 6:10 of the first period. But the Huskies (19-14-4, 14-13-2) answered when Konrad Reeder put in a rebound of his own shot less than three minutes later.
That set up the heroics for Olson, who took a pass from Nate Raduns at center ice and raced in to beat Tigers goalie Matt Zaba at 1:07 of the second period.
The victory is the first in the playoffs for St. Cloud State in three years and was the team’s first postseason victory against the Tigers.
The two play again today in the best-of-three series.
ROBERT MORRIS 4, AIR FORCE 3
Detroit – Air Force’s season came to an end in the quarterfinals of the College Hockey America Tournament.
The Falcons (11-20-1) lost all five games they played this season against the Colonials (12-19-3).
Air Force led 3-2 with about five minutes left, but the Colonials scored two goals within 62 seconds.
MINNESOTA 7, ALASKA-ANCHORAGE 4
Minneapolis – Ryan Potulny, the nation’s leading goal-scorer with 34, had a hat trick to lead top-ranked Minnesota in the first round of the WCHA playoffs.
“I’m just getting the puck in the right spot, and I attribute it all to my linemates,” said Potulny, who has scored at least one point in seven straight games. “The puck is finding me.”
When asked what he thought about reaching 34 goals this season, Potulny admitted he was surprised. “If you told me that I would have this many goals at the end of the season, I would have taken it,” he said.
Ben Gordon had two goals and an assist for the Gophers, who have won seven straight and extended their unbeaten streak to 13 games (12-0-1).
Minnesota (26-6-5, 21-5-3), the regular-season champions, and last-place Alaska Anchorage (6-26-5, 4-22-3) play the second game of the best-of-three series Saturday.
John DeCaro made 45 saves for the Seawolves, who have lost nine straight and are winless in 14.
Minnesota went ahead 2-0 in the first period in a span of 34 seconds. Gordon started the scoring with a wrist shot from outside the crease at 6:43. Gordon followed with a perfect pass to freshman Phil Kessel, who hit a one-timer past DeCaro for his 15th goal.
The Seawolves cut the lead at 11:09 when freshman Jay Beagle deflected Mark Smith’s shot for a power-play goal.
It was the first goal against the Gophers in 219 minutes, 33 seconds – the longest shutout streak for Minnesota since 1929.
Minnesota finished the regular season with three shutouts, including a 4-0 victory at Alaska Anchorage on Feb. 25.
Potulny restored the Gophers’ two-goal lead at 4:58 of the second period when he lifted a shot over DeCaro’s glove.
Alaska Anchorage answered 53 seconds later on Brent McMann’s high shot past Kellen Briggs.
Potulny again gave Minnesota a two-goal cushion when he knocked in a loose puck following a scramble in front of the net at 14:57.
Potulny’s goal on a deflection at 18:31 gave him three goals in the second period.
WISCONSIN 4, MICHIGAN TECH 1
Madison, Wis. – The Badgers (24-9-3, 18-8-3) jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first period, chasing Huskies freshman goaltender Michael-Lee Teslak, en route to a victory at the Kohl Center.
Four players scored for the Badgers, who got 21 saves from goalie Brian Elliott.
MINNESOTA STATE 3, NORTH DAKOTA 2, OT
Grand Forks, N.D. – Rob Rankin scored at 3:18 of overtime to lift the Mavericks (17-16-4, 13-13- 3) over the Fighting Sioux (23-15-1, 16-13-0) at the Ralph Engelstad Arena. Steve Wagner and Brent Cummings assisted on the winning goal. Dan Tormey made 29 saves for Minnesota State, while Jordan Parise had 33 for North Dakota in the best-of-three series.
