No nostalgia for CC

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Dec 4, 2004 | by JESSICA DELOS REYES THE GAZETTE

Colorado College is just another team to Kellen Briggs.

The Colorado Springs native is all Gopher.

And though last year Briggs came to the Minnesota-CC game as a freshman with the nostalgia of watching the Tigers as a child, this year he's here to keep the Gophers as the top-ranked team in the country.

"It doesn't matter, it's just another game," he said. "When the games are over, then I'll enjoy (being home)."

After CC's 3-1 win Friday at Colorado Springs World Arena, Briggs is 10-3 this season with a victory over then-No. 1 Michigan last weekend.

He entered the weekend as one of three goalies in the country with 10 wins.

Briggs is the go-to man for Minnesota, having outdueled Justin Johnson as the No. 1 goaltender.

"Everyone's playing so well right now, they don't need me to win a game single-handedly," Briggs said. "And I'm not sure if it's just one thing (we do well). We have forwards who can come back and play (defense) and everything just comes together."

A family affair

Marty and Mike Sertich have a cousin on the Minnesota squad. But guess what -- it isn't Andy Sertich. It's defenseman Chris Harrington, the penalty leader for the team. Harrington's mother and the Sertichs' mother are sisters.

Staying on top

Four teams have been ranked No. 1 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine men's Division I hockey poll, but only Boston College has been able to hold on to the position for more than one consecutive week. Minnesota is ranked No. 1 this week.

Boston College was No. 1 in the preseason poll and in weeks 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8. Michigan was first in the country for weeks 2 and 9. Minnesota-Duluth was tops in week 5.