OCT 10, 2024 | SPORTS | By Lilly Asano
On Saturday, Oct. 5, the Colorado College Tiger Hockey team played the Briercrest College Clippers in a home exhibition. They dominated the ice, shutting out the Clippers 8-0 and outshooting them 50-5.
Despite their strong offensive hold, the No. 12 Tigers started slow, tallying a single goal by forward Noah Laba ‘26 in the first period. Shots rang off the backboards, players raced to reclaim possession of loose pucks and CC appeared to be brushing off early-season cobwebs.
Then, in the second period, it all clicked, giving Ed Robson Arena a glimpse of the year ahead.
“I loved our energy, but I think in the first period, we were trying to make the perfect play in the scoring area,” CC head coach Kris Mayotte said following the game. “In the second and third, we decided if we’re going to be there, we’re going to shoot pucks. We were rewarded for it.”
The Tigers struggled last season in the second period, often burying leads or losing energy and conviction. On Saturday, however, they controlled the second and scored five goals within the period. Placing 22 shots on goal, compared to the Clippers’ two, they broke through Briercrest’s defense and goalie Dominik Tmej.
By the end of the third, CC raised the score to 8-0 and had worn down Briercrest.
Amidst star upperclassmen, including 2023-2024 All-American players Kaidan Mbereko ‘26 and Laba, Saturday’s game showcased the talent and potential the transfer and freshman class offer. Four of the Tigers’ eight goals were scored by fresh faces, and transfer right defenseman Ty Gallagher tied his two-goal career high.
Gallagher was named one of the game’s three stars, accompanied by returning players Ryan Beck ‘26 and Drew Montgomery ‘27. The trio helped deliver the shutout victory, scoring four goals and four assists. Laba, last year’s point leader, collected one goal and three assists.
Goalless last season, Gallagher transferred from Boston University after appearing in the NCAA Frozen Four in April and has started to fill defensive roles left by Chase Foley ‘24, Nicklas Andrews ‘24 and Jack Millar ‘24. Paired with Detroit Red Wings draftee Fisher Scott, the two were dynamic on the ice.
“Fisher’s awesome. Coming in as a freshman in college hockey is hard because college hockey is obviously a hard league,” Gallagher shared. “Over the [past] five weeks, we’ve really built great chemistry, and it showed out there tonight. I’m super excited to play with him for the rest of the year, build that chemistry and get stronger. It’s going to be a fun year.”
Freshmen Scott and Jordan Brisson both scored their first collegiate goals, and Gavin Lindberg ‘28, Philippe Blais-Savoie ‘28 and Ryan Koering ‘28 were credited with assists. Goaltender Carsen Musser, a Utah Hockey Club draft pick, served in goal for the entire third. Mbereko played for the first 27 minutes before Henry Wilder ‘25 stepped in for the remaining second period. All three goalies delivered stellar performances, denying their opponents the opportunity to score.
“The thing that stands out about this class is the hockey IQ is really high,” Mayotte said about his freshmen class. “We’re big, we’re athletic, but we’re smart at the same time. It’s allowed them to gel with the group quickly.”
Returning players also celebrated a great night. Max Burkholder ‘27 found the back of the net at 18:40 in the second, and Montgomery, a breakout rookie last season, notched two goals in the second and third periods. Mayotte, who expects the sophomore left winger to play a larger role in point production this year, was pleased with Montgomery and his returning sophomores’ performances.
“[Montgomery is] a guy this year that we expect to take another step,” Mayotte said. “I think our sophomore class is really talented, and as they get more and more used to college hockey and bigger roles, we think they’re going to thrive.”
This year, broadcaster Ken Landau believes the team’s success will be driven by their attack strategies and players’ abilities to produce points and action. Mayotte, meanwhile, is sure that it will come from maturity and experience from older players.
“We obviously believe in this group,” Mayotte said. “In the [defense] we bring in, we understand that we lost a lot. We lost a lot of leadership. We lost a lot of guys that played big minutes for us and big goals, so there [are] big shoes to fill. We’re excited for the newcomers, but those guys to take that step. We expect [Burkholder] to take that step and Tyler Dunbar to take a step. [Ethan Straky] is also going to play a bigger role.”After narrowly missing their 2024 tournament goal, the Tigers return to Ed Robson Arena on Oct. 11 and 12 to open their 2024-2025 season campaign. Tickets are available to students through Friday, Oct. 11 at 1 p.m.