It did not bother Colorado College coach Mike Haviland when captain Peter Stoykewych and center Christian Heil dropped their gloves and tussled during Friday morning’s practice.

If anything, it affirmed what he already knew. His team has bought into the hard work and intensity needed in practice – even during an off weekend – to succeed in games.

“That’s what we want,” Haviland said. “We want them to practice with the same intensity they would play a game. I think it is a good sign.”

It was an indicator of how the culture for the Tigers (4-13-1, 0-8-1 National Collegiate Hockey Conference) has changed since the first practices in September and October. The change in the team’s everyday approach remains a work in progress, which is why Stoykewych asked Heil to drop his gloves when the scrimmage intensity had lagged.

“The practices have definitely been more intense but this one had dropped a little,” Heil said. “Stoyks is one of my best friends on the team so when my captain asked me to drop the gloves to do what was best for the team, I was glad to do it.”

The tussle ended without a punch being thrown since neither wanted to hurt the other. But it worked. The Tigers competed well for the remaining 30 minutes of the practice as they prepare to take on NCHC-leading No. 8 Nebraska-Omaha (14-5-3, 8-3-1-1).

The intense practices are paying off in recent games. The Tigers are doing a better job playing simple, defense-oriented hockey that paid off with a road win at Connecticut on Jan. 6. The team’s offense – notably its power play – is much improved with 11 goals in its past three games.

That scoring success has boosted the team’s confidence and showed the players that the intensity in practice is beginning to pay off, thanks to their willingness to stick with it through a challenging first two months.

“I am proud of them,” Haviland said. “They have kept at it and it is good they see them getting rewarded for it.”