COLORADO SPRINGS — Much has been said about the University of Denver’s quest to advance to the Frozen Four, which will return to Denver in April for the first time since 1976.
At this point, however, the Pioneers’ rival to the south has the best chance to add a Front Range flavor to the Pepsi Center on April 10-12.
On Saturday, an hour after DU lost for the fourth time in five games, Colorado College improved to 13-0 at home with another decisive victory, 6-1 over No. 10-ranked Clarkson at the World Arena.
The No. 6 Tigers (20-7-1, 15-4-1 WCHA), who won Friday night’s game against Clarkson 5-2, strengthened their bid to obtain the No. 1 seed at the World Arena-hosted West Regional — where CC is guaranteed to play if it makes the 16-team national field.
“Playing the regional here would be big-time for us,” said CC sophomore Mike Testwuide, whose older brother, J.P., is a DU defenseman. “We just need to keep this going.”
Testwuide was one of two Colorado natives to spearhead the victory. Testwuide, from Vail, had two goals and an assist, and freshman goalie Richard Bachman (18-4-1) of Highlands Ranch made 21 saves.
Bachman, who was replaced late by third-string goalie Tyler O’Brien, was unofficially perfect. Clarkson’s goal came off the stick of CC defenseman Nate Prosser, who redirected a shot into the net to make it 5-1 56 seconds into the third period.
Clarkson (15-9-2, 10-3-1 ECAC) was outmatched in seemingly every area, evidenced by its nine minor penalties. CC had seven of the game’s eight power plays.
“We had jump, and when we’re moving and skating we’re a pretty good team,” Tigers coach Scott Owens said. “It was a good weekend for us in a lot of areas.”
CC has eight regular-season games remaining, five at home, and each against Western Collegiate Hockey Association foes.
The Tigers lead the league with 31 points, two more than North Dakota, which has played two more league games. DU is third with 24 points, with four games in hand over North Dakota.
“Coming in the No. 1 seed at our own regional would be huge,” Bachman said. “It’s in the back of our minds.
“We’re playing well here. This weekend we were unbelievable, after a not-so-great weekend at (Michigan) Tech. Everyone is excited when we’re here.”
Clarkson 0 0 1 — 1
Colorado College 2 3 1 — 6
First period — 1, Colorado College, Connelly 3, 9:09. 2, Colorado College, Testwuide 4 (Hillen, Prosser), 12:01 (pp). Penalties — Hillen, CC (holding), 3:18; Reed, CU (tripping), 10:49.
Second period — 3, Colorado College, Testwuide 5 (Rau), 4:45. 4, Colorado College, Sweatt 8 (Testwuide, Hillen), 8:39. 5, Colorado College, McCulloch 8 (Walsky), 11:10. Penalties — Paquet, CU (hooking), 10:09; Mason, CU (high sticking), 17:11.
Third period — 6, Clarkson, Mason 1, :56. 7, Colo. Col., Johnson 3 (Overman, Prosser), 6:49. Penalties — Mason, CU (holding), 8:07; Tuohimaa, CU (roughing), 9:07; Hillen, CC (roughing), 9:07; DeFazio, CU (double-minor, unsportsmanlike conduct), 11:13; Testwuide, CC (unsportsmanlike), 11:13; McCulloch, CC (hooking), 11:18; Clitsome, CU (tripping), 11:32; Beca, CU (holding), 14:25.
Shots on goal — CU 7-10-9—26. CC 7-14-12—33. Power plays — CU 0 of 1. CC 2 of 7. Goalies — CU, Leggio (15-7-2) 14 shots-9 saves (31:10), Potter 19-18 (28:50). CC, Bachman (17-4-1) 22-21, O’Brien 4-4. A — 6,737.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
