Hockey 2011Craving the hockey program’s first NCAA tournament victory in six years, our Tigers let loose with a mighty roar on Friday, March 25. The Eagles from Boston College, defending national champions, never knew what hit them.

Colorado College stunned BC with three goals within a span of 3:28 early in the game, added its first of two shorthanded tallies late in the first period, and pulled off a stunning 8-4 upset in opening-round West Regional action in St. Louis, Mo.

And, although CC saw its dream of a national championship come to an end 24 hours later with a 2-1 loss to the University of Michigan, this team of 16 freshmen and sophomores could be extremely proud after embarking on a post-season run that exceeded all expectations.

It wasn’t until the final weekend of the regular season that the Tigers earned the sixth and final spot for home ice in the first round of the WCHA playoffs, winning a game at the University of Wisconsin to finish one point ahead of the Badgers in the league standings.

UW then won the opener of a best-of-three playoff series at the World Arena. Colorado College roared back with come-from-behind victories the next two nights, advancing to the WCHA Final Five, where it secured an NCAA tournament bid with a 4-2 victory over the University of Alaska Anchorage.

CC finished with an overall record of 23-19-3 after playing a school-record 45 games (excluding two exhibitions) in 2010-11.