On Michigan Tech’s fourth power of the first period, Scott McCulloch made the play of the night.

McCulloch stole the puck at his own blue line, outraced a pursuing defender and scored a shorthanded goal that propelled Colorado College to a 2-0 victory over the feisty Huskies in Friday’s WCHA opener at the World Arena.

Third-ranked CC improved to 3-0 overall. Michigan Tech dropped to 1-2.

McCulloch’s red lighter at 17:24 of the initial frame was all sophomore goalie Richard Bachman would need, as Bachman made 19 saves to record his second shutout in as many starts this season.

Chad Rau added an insurance tally midway through the third period, tapping the puck into a half-empty net after Bill Sweatt’s centering attempt snuck between Tech goaltender Rob Nolan’s skates near the right post and slid to a wide open Rau at the top of the crease. Junior defenseman Nate Prosser also drew an assist on the goal.

The Tigers, who didn’t test Nolan at all in the opening 12 minutes of play while killing the first three penalties of the contest, finished with 38 shots on goal including 18 in the middle period. While defeating MTU for just the second time in the last eight games between the teams overall, they have won all 17 regular-season meetings played at the World Arena.

Both CC and the Huskies went 0-for-7 on the power play.

More notes from USCHO, CHN, Gazette,