Gwoz To Stick With Catholic Rotation For UMD Series.
Adam Berkhoel did it two years ago, recording two postseason shutouts while helping lead the University of Denver to its first national championship in 35 years.
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Peter Mannino, as a freshman, did it last year, earning the Most Outstanding Player award at the Frozen Four as DU won a second consecutive national title.
Can Mannino do it again? Maybe, but he won't assume all the Pioneers' goaltending duties this week, coach George Gwozdecky said.
With DU preparing for its home series against Minnesota-Duluth in the first round of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs, Gwozdecky said he is leaning toward keeping his goaltending rotation intact with Glenn Fisher and Mannino, despite Fisher's recent struggles and Mannino's postseason pedigree.
That would mean Fisher probably will get the start in the series opener Friday with Mannino to follow Saturday. If necessary, a deciding game would be played Sunday at Magness Arena.
"I don't see why we're going to change," said Gwozdecky, whose team will play a club that lost 13 of its final 14 regular-season games and was shut out in four of its final six. "At this point in time, I think we're going to stay with the same rotation we've had all season long."
Fisher was brilliant while leading DU to a 1-0 victory Jan. 20 at Wisconsin, but he has been unsteady in his five other most recent starts, compiling a saves percentage of .866 during those games.
"I think we both have the ability to take this team as far as we can," Mannino said. "When it comes down to it, we're both going to be ready."
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