Colorado College earned its first win of the season Friday night, shutting out UMass-Amherst 3-0 in front of 5,727 fans at the Colorado Springs World Arena. The win moved the Tigers to 1-2-0, and dropped the Minutemen to 1-1-0.
CC came out strong early and netted the eventual game-winner just 1:32 into the game. Tiger forward Colin Stuart skated behind the UMass net and as he wrapped around, passed the puck to a wide-open Alex Kim. Kim was waiting at the backdoor in front of an open net, and simply redirected the shot past UMass goalie Mike Johnson. Mike Stuart also collected an assist on the play.
“Colin did a really good job of taking it around the net,” said Kim. “He found me and all I had to do was point it into the net. I got the goal, but Colin made the play.”
The Tigers held the one-goal lead and were almost evened up, but a set of coincidental minors caused a potential goal for the Minutemen to be waved off. At 16:58 of the second period, UMass put the puck into the net following a fight for control, but just as the puck was shot, the whistle blew, and the referee sent Tiger Shaun Winkler and Minuteman Brad Nizwantowski to the penalty box.
That was as close as UMass would get, as almost eight minutes later CC added its second goal of the game. Tom Preissing and Joe Cullen attacked on a two-on-one. Preissing shoveled a pass to Cullen who redirected it past a diving Johnson.
“Joe’s goal was really a good goal for us,” said Kim. “He scored it because he drove hard to the net. We have had a lot of chances, but have not been able to finish. Joe finished.”
CC would add one final goal at 3:21 when Ipswich, Mass. native Reid Goolsby scored his first collegiate goal against the team from his home state.
“Reid is really the man of the hour,” said Kim. “For a Boston boy to score his first goal against UMass, a Hockey East team, is really special. Everyone in the locker room is really excited for him.”
The Tigers took the play to UMass all night, outshooting the Minutemen 39-13. If not for goalie Mike Johnson, UMass could have easily allowed more than three goals.
“It seems we have been facing tough goalies every night,” said Kim. “We have had trouble scoring and facing a guy like that does not help. Luckily we got that first one early and were able to play our game and get a few more.”
Colorado College looks to make it two straight as the same two teams skate again tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. MDT at the Colorado Springs World Arena.
