CC FRESHMAN SHOWS STEADY IMPROVEMENT OVER TIME

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jan 12, 2008 | by KATE CRANDALL

Puck tucked into his stick's blade, Colorado College defenseman Ryan Lowery twirled around one oncoming Alaska-Anchorage player and spun around another, drawing awe from the crowd in the first period Friday.

The maneuver showed how far Lowery has come this season, but the errant pass following his move through the neutral zone showed the freshman still is adjusting.

Until sophomore Kris Fredheim sprained his shoulder in practice Dec. 26, Lowery and classmate Brett Wysopal rotated in the sixth defensive spot, playing one game per weekend.

Since then, Lowery has appeared in five consecutive games and displayed a flair for offense while maintaining his defensive focus.

"I think I'm making a step right now," said Lowery, who missed nine months after his shoulder was dislocated and his jaw was broken in a postpractice fight just more than a year ago. "I'm gaining some confidence and I just want to keep it going."

The change started against St. Cloud State in mid-December, so the holiday break made Lowery worry he might lose momentum. Instead, Lowery said he is playing his best hockey of the season.

"I'm playing more like I used to before I was hurt," he said. "There is an adjustment from not playing for nine months. I was a little tentative and a little nervous and afraid to make mistakes. Now, I'm playing with a little more confidence and making plays I wouldn't have thought I could."

Zaba joins former rival

in Idaho

Goaltender Matt Zaba, who played for CC from 2003 to 2007, was reassigned from the American Hockey League's Hartford Wolf Pack to the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL). Zaba will join Colorado Springs native Kellen Briggs, who played for Minnesota from 2003 to 2007, in the Steelheads' goalie rotation.

Slap shot

The USA Boxing team attended Friday's game.