The "Big Week" Is Upon Us
From: Rocky Monatain News
by Pat Rooney
J.D. Corbin's injury-forced hiatus will not be any more frustrating than it will be this week as the University of Denver prepares to renew its feisty rivalry with Colorado College.
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"It's always the fun part of the year, to play in those big rivalries," Corbin said. "It will be hard to sit out."
Corbin, a senior wing who has been sidelined since he suffered a severe right ankle injury six weeks ago, is a Littleton native who has flourished against CC.
Corbin recorded two goals and four assists in four games against the Tigers last season but will remain on the sideline when the rivals begin a home-and-home series Friday in Colorado Springs.
At least by then, Corbin should be heartened by clearing a major hurdle in his recovery from a broken fibula and ligament damage in his ankle.
Corbin has been doing exercises in a pool for about three weeks, but otherwise, has had his lower leg encased in a protective boot. That boot will be removed if a series of X-rays scheduled for today reveals, as expected, adequate progress.
"The bone should be fully healed, and everything looks really good," said Corbin, who hopes to return before the end of January. "They want to take a look at the two screws that they put in to make sure those are in there pretty solid and that the bone hasn't broken around there anywhere.
"It's kind of hard to tell now, because I haven't been able to walk on it at all, but it feels good in the pool."
DU (9-4-1, 5-2-1 Western Collegiate Hockey Association) will take a seven-game unbeaten streak into the series and has gone 6-0-1 in its past seven games against the Tigers. CC (8-5-1, 5-3-0) had a five-game winning streak snapped with a loss Saturday at North Dakota.
"It's always the fun part of the year, to play in those big rivalries," Corbin said. "It will be hard to sit out."
Corbin, a senior wing who has been sidelined since he suffered a severe right ankle injury six weeks ago, is a Littleton native who has flourished against CC.
Corbin recorded two goals and four assists in four games against the Tigers last season but will remain on the sideline when the rivals begin a home-and-home series Friday in Colorado Springs.
At least by then, Corbin should be heartened by clearing a major hurdle in his recovery from a broken fibula and ligament damage in his ankle.
Corbin has been doing exercises in a pool for about three weeks, but otherwise, has had his lower leg encased in a protective boot. That boot will be removed if a series of X-rays scheduled for today reveals, as expected, adequate progress.
"The bone should be fully healed, and everything looks really good," said Corbin, who hopes to return before the end of January. "They want to take a look at the two screws that they put in to make sure those are in there pretty solid and that the bone hasn't broken around there anywhere.
"It's kind of hard to tell now, because I haven't been able to walk on it at all, but it feels good in the pool."
DU (9-4-1, 5-2-1 Western Collegiate Hockey Association) will take a seven-game unbeaten streak into the series and has gone 6-0-1 in its past seven games against the Tigers. CC (8-5-1, 5-3-0) had a five-game winning streak snapped with a loss Saturday at North Dakota.
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Return Of Gold Pan: The Gold Pan trophy DU and CC compete for finally will be resurrected before the end of the season.
The original Gold Pan went missing after DU reclaimed it in 2004, a victim of the jubilation that followed the Pioneers' first national championship in 35 years. Because the prize has to be won outright to wrest it from the team in possession, DU has not had to produce a new Gold Pan thanks to its recent dominance in the series.
The teams hope to unveil a new trophy when they meet again at the end of the regular season.
"The word from (CC coach) Scott Owens is that it's being constructed," DU coach George Gwozdecky said. "He sent me preliminary sketches and photos of the prototype. It's going to be really nice."
SHIFTED: DU's J.P. Testwuide has found a new home at forward.
Testwuide, a Vail native and a natural defenseman, has seen spot duty up front but will remain there permanently after striking some chemistry on the Pioneers' checking line with seniors Mike Handza and Steven Cook.
"It's funny how that line was just kind of thrown together," Gwozdecky said. "They like the role they play. Both Mike and Steven have asked if J.P. can be on their line full time. The way they're playing, they are going to stay together."
ETC.: DU has killed 32 of 34 penalties in the past six games . . . Trailing 3-2 in the third period, Air Force got goals from Josh Print and Brian Reese to beat Robert Morris 4-3 on Sunday in Colorado Springs. The win snapped a six-game losing streak to the Colonials.
The original Gold Pan went missing after DU reclaimed it in 2004, a victim of the jubilation that followed the Pioneers' first national championship in 35 years. Because the prize has to be won outright to wrest it from the team in possession, DU has not had to produce a new Gold Pan thanks to its recent dominance in the series.
The teams hope to unveil a new trophy when they meet again at the end of the regular season.
"The word from (CC coach) Scott Owens is that it's being constructed," DU coach George Gwozdecky said. "He sent me preliminary sketches and photos of the prototype. It's going to be really nice."
SHIFTED: DU's J.P. Testwuide has found a new home at forward.
Testwuide, a Vail native and a natural defenseman, has seen spot duty up front but will remain there permanently after striking some chemistry on the Pioneers' checking line with seniors Mike Handza and Steven Cook.
"It's funny how that line was just kind of thrown together," Gwozdecky said. "They like the role they play. Both Mike and Steven have asked if J.P. can be on their line full time. The way they're playing, they are going to stay together."
ETC.: DU has killed 32 of 34 penalties in the past six games . . . Trailing 3-2 in the third period, Air Force got goals from Josh Print and Brian Reese to beat Robert Morris 4-3 on Sunday in Colorado Springs. The win snapped a six-game losing streak to the Colonials.
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