COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Colorado College sophomore Nick Halloran’s passing ability was the spark behind the Tigers’ 6-3 home victory over Miami on Friday night.
The standout winger registered his second three-point game in a row, also CC wins, by recording his second career playmaker with assists on the first three Tiger goals. That gave CC a much-needed cushion on the scoreboard as the National Collegiate Hockey Conference series-opener continued.
“For sure,” CC coach Mike Haviland said. “Nick can move the puck too and not just shoot. He can make some plays.”
It wasn’t all Halloran. Sophomore defenseman Kristian Blumenschein recorded his first career playmaker while junior co-captain Mason Bergh added two goals.
Tigers freshman Brian Williams scored his first NCAA goal, which proved to be the game-winner, late in the second period. He put back in his own rebound and scored as he fell.
“I just went to the puck looking for the rebound and it ended up getting kicked out to me,” he said.
“He can shoot the puck,” Haviland said. “It was good to see him get rewarded. He is a hard worker. Gatesy (Jack Gates) made a really good play against a very good defenseman in (Miami senior Louie) Belpedio to set him up.”
Williams’ second of the night was CC’s first empty-net tally this season. The Tigers were the last Division 1 team to do so.
Halloran’s career year offensively — he is now No. 2 in the nation and first in the NCHC (37 points, 23 assists) — has sparked CC to its best offensive production since the 2012-13 season (133 goals) with 75 so far season. The Tigers scored 70 goals last season.
But it was ultimately a strong defensive effort by Colorado College that led to the win over Miami at The Broadmoor World Arena. Two of the three MU goals came during 5-minute power play midway through the third.
In CC’s 11 wins, the sixth-place Tigers (11-11-3, 5-8-2-1 NCHC) have allowed only 18 goals. in their 11 losses, opponents have scored 54.
On Friday, CC put together arguably its best defensive performance by clogging up the neutral zone where back-checking further slowed last-place Miami (9-12-2, 4-8-1-0), which lost its fourth straight.
“We made them go through us tonight and that was a testament to the guys playing in the structure,” Haviland said. “We had good back-pressure. We have talked about not making the game easy for their guys. Listen, (Miami’s Enrico Blasi) is a good hockey coach and he will have that team ready to go (Saturday) night.”
