CC Athletics
While a second tie in two nights is likely to cost Colorado College its No. 1 national ranking, at least the Tigers escaped chilly Cheel Arena this weekend having avoided potential disaster.

Playing precious little five-on-five hockey throughout the third period and overtime, CC and Clarkson University battled to a 2-2 deadlock in the finale of their two-game non-league series in Potsdam, N.Y.

The ECAC officiating crew whistled 15 minor penalties, including two on each team in the sudden-death session, during the final 25 minutes of the contest. It was the Knights who got the best of the deal, scoring a power-play goal with 4:28 left in regulation to wipe out a 2-1 deficit.

Both goaltenders were outstanding, Richard Bachman finishing with a career-high 40 saves and Clarkson’s Paul Karpowich with 28.

Colorado College, still undefeated at 4-0-2, grabbed a pair of leads on red lighters by Bill Sweatt just 16 seconds into the game and by Chad Rau at 2:06 of the second period.

Chris D’Alvise, who returned to the lineup after serving a one-game suspension, pulled the Knights even for the first time at 6:13 of the opening frame. Scott Freeman, who had an apparent goal disallowed earlier in the third period, got credit for the tally that sent the game into overtime.

It was the first power-play goal that CC has allowed this season after the Tigers killed 41 consecutive shorthanded situations including the first eight on Saturday. They failed to capitalize on 10 power plays of their own, as Rau’s goal came six seconds after a Clarkson penalty expired. The Knights, who had a pair of brief 5-on-3 advantages in the game, finished 1-for-11.