CC power play continues impressive turnaround

Efforts to simplify the Colorado College’s approach to its power play continued to pay off against No. 8 Nebraska-Omaha this weekend.

Since the Nov. 14 Denver road loss, the CC man-advantage clicked at 28.6 percent (eight for 28) over those 10 games to raise a dismal 6.3 percent to 19 percent overall (15 of 79). The 6.3 percent was 58th out of 59 Division I teams then and would be last now.

That improved mark was good for No. 21 in the nation entering the National Collegiate Hockey Conference series finale against the league-leading Mavericks. National rankings will be updated following the Alaska-Anchorage at Alaska-Fairbanks game late Saturday.

“We have focused on simplifying the power play and just getting the puck on net and trying to take advantage of having players in front,” CC coach Mike Haviland said.

Ice chips

CC sophomore defenseman Jaccob Slavin was the first Tiger with back-to-back three-point games (one goal, two assists against UConn and Omaha) since former captain William Rapuzzi on Nov. 6 and 10, 2012. . Upon video review late Friday, it was determined Avery Peterson deflected in the shot by Jake Guentzel that trimmed the CC lead to 4-3 in an eventual Tigers win. … The Friday victory was CC’s first at home over a ranked foe since downing then-No. 7 Minnesota State 4-1 on March 1, 2013. . UNO co-captain Brian O’Rourke was suspended two games by the league for contact to the head against CC defenseman Michael King during the first period Friday. King did not return and sat out Saturday. O’Rourke was assessed a five-minute major penalty for interference on the play. He also will miss Omaha’s next game on Jan. 30 against North Dakota.

JOE PAISLEY, THE GAZETTE