From: Denver Postby Mike Chambers
When Matt Carle immediately went from co-captain at the University of Denver to rookie defenseman for the San Jose Sharks in March, his explanation of the differences in the college and NHL games was akin to Ultimate Fighting and boxing.
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In the NCAA, "you have to worry about someone trying to take your head off with a big hit," Carle said at the time. In the NHL, he said his primary objective was keeping up with everyone else in the "finer points" of the game, more like boxing, where positioning and continuous movement are more worrisome than avoiding the big check.
In the NCAA, "you have to worry about someone trying to take your head off with a big hit," Carle said at the time. In the NHL, he said his primary objective was keeping up with everyone else in the "finer points" of the game, more like boxing, where positioning and continuous movement are more worrisome than avoiding the big check.
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Carle didn't enjoy playing Air Force, which traditionally plays the kind of hard-nosed hockey that can frustrate playmakers. But if Carle was still a Pioneer, he might have enjoyed tonight's game against the Falcons (7-6-1).
Carle didn't enjoy playing Air Force, which traditionally plays the kind of hard-nosed hockey that can frustrate playmakers. But if Carle was still a Pioneer, he might have enjoyed tonight's game against the Falcons (7-6-1).
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"It will come down to the finer points of the game," Air Force coach Frank Serratore said.
"It will come down to the finer points of the game," Air Force coach Frank Serratore said.
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The nonleague game at Magness Arena could again feature a bunch of bone-jarring hits that in-state rivalries typically promote, but the Falcons' offensive talent likely will force DU (7-4-1) to concentrate more on positioning and patience. For once, Air Force might have an advantage in the top-end scoring department in a series that DU has won 26-of-28 games and 18 straight.
The nonleague game at Magness Arena could again feature a bunch of bone-jarring hits that in-state rivalries typically promote, but the Falcons' offensive talent likely will force DU (7-4-1) to concentrate more on positioning and patience. For once, Air Force might have an advantage in the top-end scoring department in a series that DU has won 26-of-28 games and 18 straight.
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AFA junior center Eric Ehn leads the country with 14 goals and 28 points, and Ehn's wingers - senior Andrew Ramsey (10 goals) and sophomore Mike Phillipich (six) - are among the top-20 NCAA scorers. Only one Pioneer, junior Ryan Dingle (eight goals), has lit the lamp as much as Phillipich, but the Pioneers unquestionably still have more overall talent than the American-made Falcons, who have played just two ranked teams.
AFA junior center Eric Ehn leads the country with 14 goals and 28 points, and Ehn's wingers - senior Andrew Ramsey (10 goals) and sophomore Mike Phillipich (six) - are among the top-20 NCAA scorers. Only one Pioneer, junior Ryan Dingle (eight goals), has lit the lamp as much as Phillipich, but the Pioneers unquestionably still have more overall talent than the American-made Falcons, who have played just two ranked teams.
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"Anytime you go against what I call the BCS teams, you know they're going to have guys that can win it - the guy in (their) goal or some other guys hanging around (your) goal," Serratore said. "But with Ehn and other guys like Ramsey and Phillipich, so do we."
"Anytime you go against what I call the BCS teams, you know they're going to have guys that can win it - the guy in (their) goal or some other guys hanging around (your) goal," Serratore said. "But with Ehn and other guys like Ramsey and Phillipich, so do we."
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DU captain Adrian Veideman, a senior defenseman, said: "For that line, we just have to think defense first, and just try to shut them down, just do the things to prevent them from scoring, opposed to trying to score ourselves."
DU captain Adrian Veideman, a senior defenseman, said: "For that line, we just have to think defense first, and just try to shut them down, just do the things to prevent them from scoring, opposed to trying to score ourselves."
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DU's big advantage will be in goal. Senior Glenn Fisher has registered shutouts in his past two games and has a 0.75 goals-against average and .975 save percentage in his past four games.
DU's big advantage will be in goal. Senior Glenn Fisher has registered shutouts in his past two games and has a 0.75 goals-against average and .975 save percentage in his past four games.
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Serratore will choose from three goalies, none who have been consistently impressive so far.
Serratore will choose from three goalies, none who have been consistently impressive so far.
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For DU, which hosts Robert Morris on Saturday, winning nonleague games at home is crucial. Last season, losses to Princeton and Ferris State at Magness Arena helped ruin the Pioneers' ability to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
For DU, which hosts Robert Morris on Saturday, winning nonleague games at home is crucial. Last season, losses to Princeton and Ferris State at Magness Arena helped ruin the Pioneers' ability to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
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"That definitely has been addressed," Veideman said. "The important thing to realize is we're starting off with Air Force. Every year they play us tough, and we know it's going to be a good game. We won't look past them."
"That definitely has been addressed," Veideman said. "The important thing to realize is we're starting off with Air Force. Every year they play us tough, and we know it's going to be a good game. We won't look past them."
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Game Notes:
Game Notes:
DU hosts Robert Morris (4-6) on Saturday night, and Air Force entertains the Colonials on Sunday at the Cadet Ice Arena. ... Denver is on a five-game unbeaten streak, but has scored just four goals in its past two games. ... DU and AFA have had difficult weeks preparing. The Pioneers completed first- quarter exams Wednesday, and the Falcons had mandatory military training, and no hockey practice, Monday and Tuesday. ... DU senior wing Steven Cook of Denver was Air Force's rookie of the year in 2002- 03 before returning to junior-A and then transferring to DU.
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