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Adam Berkhoel Update

By Christine Troyke Staff Writer
christine.troyke@gwinnettdailypost.com

DULUTH - How many goalies go from playing in the NHL to not even being a No. 1 for an ECHL team in the same season?
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Adam Berkhoel has.
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How many goalies would handle such a situation with class and refuse to wallow in self-pity?
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Adam Berkhoel does.
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"You can't control those type of things," he said. "If you sit back and you're angry and bitter about it, it's just going to affect your game. You just have to be positive about it and not be too good to be where you're at.
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"You have to keep the mindset that maybe I don't deserve to be here, but I'm here. You have to deal with what gets dealt to you and go from there."
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It's been another weird season in the pros for the Minnesota native.
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Berkhoel, when he was healthy, played mostly for the ECHL Gwinnett Gladiators last season. But two freak injuries limited his action to 25 games. First a rare septic infection in his hip while he was on call-up to Chicago of the American Hockey League sidelined Berkhoel for more than two months in the middle of his rookie season. He made an amazing recovery, though, and returned at the end of January - well before even the most optimistic projections.
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Then at the beginning of March, Berkhoel's neck was cut by a skate during practice. It took 21 stitches to close the gash and despite the scar still visible even a year later, Berkhoel missed just four games because of the injury.
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A strange rookie season to be sure. But his sophomore campaign was no less unexpected.
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Berkhoel, who won a national championship with the University of Denver in 2004, started the season in Chicago and was projected to share time in net there with another former Gladiator, Michael Garnett. But a rash of groin injuries at the top of affiliate ladder in Atlanta, created an opportunity for both goalies to make their NHL debut.
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Berkhoel saw time in eight games, his first on Oct. 15 and last on Nov. 19. The 24-year-old earned his first NHL win, making 32 saves against the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 22.
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"You play your whole life to get to the NHL and that's where everyone wants to go," Berkhoel said. "To get that opportunity early in my career, is a great thing for me just on a personal level.
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"After my season last year I would never have expected to play in the NHL this year and it happened."
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In December, Berkhoel was assigned to Gwinnett from Atlanta for a brief stint and then called up to Chicago. But from Dec. 30 to Feb. 8, Berkhoel appeared in only eight games for the Wolves and was sent to Gwinnett about six weeks ago.
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"(This season I've) been fortunate, but also on the other hand it's been a step back to reality," Berkhoel said. "Obviously getting to the NHL was a great opportunity, I learned a lot the couple of months I was up there.
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"Coming back here was a great chance, a good opportunity with a great team to finish out the season here and just do what I can to help win a championship."
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Sharing time in net with Sean Fields, Berkhoel has quietly gone about posting a 9-2-1 record and helped the Gladiators secure a first-round bye for the playoffs.
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"I don't know if there could be any better character builder, a test of your character I guess," Gwinnett head coach Jeff Pyle said. "And he's been awesome.
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"I know he comes here and Fieldsie has been our No. 1 the whole year and I know they both struggle with not playing more. But it's a tough situation. I know I'm going to need them both. In the end, when it comes down to it, they're both going to have to be ready."
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The Gladiators (46-13-7) are three points away from clinching the No. 1 seed in the American Conference and play three road games this week. Gwinnett is in Augusta tonight and Friday before traveling to North Charleston, S.C., on Saturday.
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The Gladiators are a little short-handed right now, but expect to get three guys back after the weekend. All-Star forward Jeff Campbell is expected to return from AHL callup while defensemen Troy Milam and Danny Eberly will be coming off injured reserve.
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But missing players hasn't stopped Gwinnett so far this season - a sign Berkhoel recognizes from his championship team in Denver.
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"I think there's a lot of similarities," he said. "The ability and the character to win close games (is the same). We're putting goals on the board and we're playing well defensively. Not dominating teams - I mean, I don't want to talk or anything, but I think we are a step ahead of a lot of the other teams. But also, we've played through adversity like any championship caliber team.
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"It's not all talent, it's the heart and the willingness to compete every night."
The Hobey Hat Trick Finalists

Matt Carle, a native of Anchorage, Alaska, became the first player in WCHA history to be voted the league's Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. A first-team All-WCHA selection for the second year in a row, Carle leads the nation in assists (42) and leads all NCAA defensemen in points (53). In conference games he led the WCHA in assists and finished second in points. Carle, who recently joined the NHL's San Jose Sharks, was a member of the 2004 and 2005 NCAA championship teams at Denver and was a co-captain of the Pioneers this year. A real estate and construction management major, he carries a 3.30 grade-point average and was a WCHA All-Academic Team honoree. He participates annually in the "Skate with the Pioneers" event for terminally ill children, and has volunteered at the Alaska Food Drive and a holiday children's charity drive.
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Chris Collins, a native of Fairport, N.Y., was the Hockey East Player of the Year and a first-team All-Hockey East selection. An alternate captain, he has led Boston College to the NCAA Frozen Four, and heads to Milwaukee with 61 points in 40 games (31 goals, 30 assists). He had 39 points in conference play, six more than any other Hockey East player, and won the Walter Brown Award as the top American-born player in New England. Collins ranks second nationally in points, points per game (1.52), goals and shorthanded goals (5). An NHL free agent, Collins is enrolled in BC's Carroll School of Management.

Brian Elliott, a native of Newmarket, Ontario, leads the nation in nearly every goaltending category, including goals-against average (1.55), save percentage (.938), shutouts (8), wins (25) and winning percentage (.803). Elliott has posted three consecutive shutouts to lead the Badgers to the NCAA Frozen Four, and was named the All-Regional goaltender and the MVP at the Midwest Regional last weekend. The second-team All-WCHA goaltender, Elliott led the conference in goals-against average (1.80) and save percentage (.930). A business major with a 3.13 grade-point average, Elliott is in his first year of studies at the prestigious UW School of Business. He makes frequent visits to the UW Children's Hospital.


Its Official: Carle Named To The "Hobey Hat-Trick"

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Hobey Baker Award Committee announced the 2006 Hobey Hat Trick: Denver junior defenseman Matt Carle, Boston College senior forward Chris Collins and Wisconsin junior goaltender Brian Elliott. One of those three will win the 2006 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, which will be presented Friday, April 7, at Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wis.
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DU has never had a player win the Hobey Baker award, but four other Pioneers were named finalists (Top 10): Ed Beers (1982), Dallas Gaume (1986), Dave Shields (1990) and Wade Dubielewicz (2002).
DU Signs Late Recruit Vossberg for Next Season
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Update: Vossberg was officially added to the Roster in July, 2007
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Within days of Matt Carle signing with the San Jose Sharks, the Pioneers made a move to fill the hole in the roster for next season. Brandon Vossberg is a 6'2" 195 lbs. forward/defenseman who accepted an offer to play for the University of Denver. One day after he turned 21 years old, the Santa Fe RoadRunners (NAHL) player announced the news.
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“It was kind of a nice little birthday present," Vossberg told the Albuquerque Journal North with a big smile Friday night after the RoadRunners' game against Wichita Falls.
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Denver had been watching Vossberg since he was a high school player in St. Paul, Minnesota. They followed his progress in junior hockey and made an offer last week.
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The Journal North reported that Denver's coaching staff contacted Santa Fe coach Scott Langer last Thursday morning— one day after Vossberg's birthday— with the news that they were interested in offering Vossberg a position with the team. Vossberg said he's been told he has a good chance at cracking Denver's lineup next season, although the Pioneer coaching staff may have him play defense. Vossberg is second among RoadRunners in scoring with 22 goals and 39 assists this season.
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Vossberg brings leadership skills to the Pioneers as he currently is the Captain of the team. He is third on the team in penalty minutes, has two shorthanded goals and four game winning goals this season.

Cornell Band Plays DU Fight Song

Showing once again why the Cornell Band and their students are some of the most creative fans in college hockey, the Cornell Band played the DU Fight Song (D Rah) three times in the NCAA Playoff game against Colorado College. As CC skated out onto the ice for Pregame warmups the band played D-Rah. As CC skated onto the ice to begin the First and Second Periods they heard D-Rah again. I'm not sure whether or not any of the CC players where savvy enough to pick up on the jab, but no one is surprised back in Colorado what happened next. The psychological warfare had its desired effect, CC folded like a house of cards, blowing a two goal lead after our Fight Song was played for the third time.

Just when the Cheetah's disbelieving fans might have begun contemplating a trip to Milwaukee, the rug was pulled out from under them once again. So close to erasing the misery that is 1957, yet so far in the grand scheme of things. After Cornell played the DU Fight Song, CC collapsed and let in three unanswered goals to lose 3-2.

Longtime DU hockey fan Pete Dauphin heard the song loud and clear over the television and reported that it was, "The best rendition of the Fight Song he has ever heard." Way to go Cornell...
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Accoring to one of the band members, Cornell students downloaded the sheet music and the midi file of the fight song from the DU Pep Band Website, and a trumpet player at Cornell arranged it for the Big Red pep band. Denver fans have been complimenting them ever since...
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You Can't Spell Constantly Choking without CC...

CEO of Red Baron Pizza is a Badger

For more great photos from the Cornell - Wisconsin OT Thriller
http://www.pbase/mylesl/2006beavers


Brokeback Goalies

The heartwarming story of two hockey players, Brian Elliott and David McKee, who battle for over 111 minutes on the ice and then discover they have more than hockey in common.

Matt Carle Scores a Goal in First Professional Game

(above) San Jose Sharks Kyle McLaren, left, celebrates the Sharks 5-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild with teammate Matt Carle (25) in an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 25, 2006, in St. Paul, Minn. Carle scored his first NHL goal during the game. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)

Rookie Sharks defenseman Matt Carle got caught by the speed of the game on a few occasions and took two penalties Saturday, but he capped his NHL debut by scoring in the final minute of a 5-1 victory over Minnesota.

"It was a good first game, I guess,'' said Carle, who signed last Sunday after finishing his junior season at the University of Denver.

He added, "A good experience. But I still have a ways to go to get up to that level.''

Carle, who logged 10 1/2 minutes, became the 10th Shark to score in his first game. He joins Grant Stevenson, Milan Michalek, Miroslav Zalesak, Brad Stuart, Marco Sturm, Alexander Korolyuk, Marcus Ragnarsson, Jan Caloun and Jeff McLean.

"I just kind of threw it on net,'' Carle said. "I was at the top of the circle and just decided to shoot it. I don't really know how it went in, so I've got to watch it on video before any comments about it.''

Coach Ron Wilson said Carle probably would not have played if flu-ridden Josh Gorges had been healthy. "He was on the ice for a goal-against, but that wasn't his fault: Nobody backed him up,'' Wilson said. "He was nervous at times, but who wouldn't be? There were a lot of things he did so well. It's fun to see a defenseman skate like that.''

An Open Letter to Red Baron Pizza

(above) You have to break out the magnifing glass (Click on picture to enlarge) to see the word "State" that sent the Sioux Nation...errr...I mean the UND fans into a frenzy this week.


Dear Red Baron,

First of all I would like to thank Red Baron Frozen Pizza for being one of the few corporations to support college hockey and the WCHA in particular. If more companies followed your lead, college hockey and the WCHA would be even more successful today.

It has come to my attention that several University of North Dakota hockey fans contacted you due to a minor typographical printer error at the WCHA Playoff Championships otherwise known as the Final Five. Apparently the poster (above) misidentified their team as the larger Division I athletic program at North Dakota State University.

Due to the outcry in Grand Forks, I feel that you should be made aware of several discrepancies in their so-called "boycott." Firstly, most North Dakota hockey fans are on welfare and can't afford premium frozen food products such as your Classic Pizzas or your Deep Dish Pan Style® pizzas. Like you I have come to expect only the best from the Red Baron® brand, however trust me when I say they can't afford it.

I could see how your marketing department might think that Grand Forks could be an important component in the growth of your company due to the small kitchens in many of their trailerhomes, the wood burning stoves they use to stay warm and the frigid climate in North Dakota that is ideal for storing bulk frozen food products outdoors. However by the time they use their government checks for beer, hockey tickets and terminating unwanted pregnancies in their animals there is little money left over for food each week. Unfortunately Food Stamps in North Dakota don't cover such breakfast luxuries as your Ham or Bacon Mini Scrambles that come in a convenient size that's easy to prepare.

I also think that its important to note that the University of North Dakota has been sanctioned by the NCAA due to their "hostile and abusive" (their words not mine) logo towards Native Americans. I could see how your company wouldn't want to be associated with such a blatantly racist symbol in this day an age. By using the Final Five poster to support the North Dakota State Bisons, you sent a strong message that racism in any form should not be tolerated.

I'm sure you were as puzzled as I, how so many North Dakota fans had the time to write emails of protest over such a minor typographical printing error. Although most UND fans don't have jobs, they fill their days by going down to the local library and sending death threats to DU hockey parents, finding new ways to pirate cable TV to watch their hockey team when they play Denver, Minnesota and Wisconsin and trying to forge FEMA documents to get new trailers due Katrina victims.

I am sorry that your excellent company has experienced what WCHA followers have known for years, that the "Fighting Sioux" supporters are the most paranoid, myopic fans in the the league.

In closing, thank you again for supporting college hockey and be advised that the fans of the other nine WCHA programs are greatful for your support. I myself will head over to the supermarket this weekend and look for the Red Baron® brand Pizzeria Style™ pizza. The pizza made with a Bake To Rise® crust.

Support Red Baron and buy their products...

Sincerely,

dggoddard - WCHA Hockey Fan
Carle & Blom Named to WCHA All-Hottie Team

The honors keep rolling in for Matt Carle. WCHA Player of the Year, WCHA Defensive Player of the Year and now he is named to the WCHA All-Hottie First Team by the Running With the Dogs Blog.

DU defenseman Zach Blom was named to the Third Team. This is the second consecutive season that Blom has been named to the team.
(above) A considerably downsized MSU-Mankato hockey team boards the team buses for their final playoff series in Grand Forks.
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Hockey Players Gone Wild: Mankato Police Raid WCHA Players' House
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Mankato, MN - Four Minnesota State University men’s hockey players who were held out of the last five games of the season by their coach are also named in criminal investigative documents that include allegations of a sex assault and drug use, according to a search warrant filed in Blue Earth County District Court (who's responsible for naming counties in Minnesota?).
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The search warrant filed by Mankato police also names one player from the women’s hockey team and two other players from the men’s team (for those of you keeping score at home thats a total of SEVEN Mankato hockey players. Who's got a MSU game program to keep track of this?).

Police are not commenting on the case (Can you say "Cover Up?") because the investigation is ongoing. No arrests have been made (There isn't enough room in the Mankato jail for the whole team?), nor have charges been filed. A search warrant also is simply a request from police to search a property and does not require in-depth investigation of an incident.

The search warrant details the following events:

Investigators were called to Immanuel St. Joseph’s Hospital Feb. 21 for a report of a sex assault. A woman being treated at the hospital told investigators she had been at a house at 103 Porter Ave. (check the Mankato Free Press Want Ads if you need a nice little three bedroom, two bath bungalow in Mankato. Current occupents have been transferred. Assume lease.), where she had been sexually assaulted after smoking marijuana she suspected was tainted with a white powdery substance (its probably dandruff from a hockey player).

She said she was picked up earlier that morning about 3:30 a.m. by Felicia Nelson, a member of the women’s team, and Austin Sutter, a men’s team player who lives at the Porter Avenue house (hmm. 3:30 in the morning? I've heard of "fashionably late," but this is ridiculous). They went to Sutter’s house and were allegedly joined by men’s players Shane McCormick, Blake Friesen, Brian Kilburg, Christian Toll and Brock Becker (remember these names, because some of them may appear on the All-American team...er...I mean...the All-Bad Boyz Team), according to the court document. The eight of them started smoking marijuana (but not inhaling) before going into the house, the woman told investigators.

Once inside the house, the pipe they were using was loaded again with marijuana and a white substance, she said. At least one other person smoked from the pipe but she told authorities she believed she was the only one who inhaled (the MSU players had one of Coach Jutting's regular Sunday Morning Drug Tests the next day and they are not dummies).

After becoming dazed (& confused) by the drug, she said she was sexually assaulted in a manner that didn’t include intercourse (sounds like most of my dates in college). She said she also remembered feeling pain and hearing voices saying, “Take a picture of that ("Sleeping Girls Gone Wild - Mankato" available online for $14.95),” the search warrant application said.

She told authorities she waited for the others to go to sleep and walked home at about 5 a.m. (Where are their manners? No one walked her home. She could have been attacked).

Police searched the house that evening. They took a glass pipe, a bag with a “green leafy substance" (I hope its Oregano from Mrs. Jutting's famous Lasanga), three cellular camera phones (odds are the cops won't find many victory photos from the WCHA season), a digital camera and a foot massager (with a ribbed tip for her pleasure) from the house. Nelson’s room in the McElroy residence hall on the MSU campus was searched Feb. 27. A cellular camera phone and charger (Good thinking by the cops. How many cases were overturned on appeal when the cell phone went dead during the trail?) were taken by police during that search, court records said.

Officials with the MSU Athletics Department referred media questions about the allegations to Michael Cooper (the former Laker?), MSU spokesman. He said he was aware of the situation involving the hockey players but had not been given all the details that were in court documents. (In other words "We Ain't Talking")

Privacy issues kept him from commenting further, Cooper said.

Becker, Toll, Sutter and McCormick have not played or practiced with the team since Feb. 21. The absence was described as a “coach’s decision” and Coach Troy Jutting has said he can’t comment further (until he buys the video on late night TV).

DU's Latest Millionaire Alum

DU's latest millionaire Alumnus is Matt Carle. Congratulations Matt and welcome to "The Club." According to sources, Carle signed a $2.8 million contract that will pay him $942,000 per year in salary and bonuses, the NHL's entry-level maximum for 2003 draft picks.

Now the bad news. Its time to start donating money back to the Alma Mater. Due to all of your hard work, Magness Arena is no longer big enough. We have to turn away thousand of paying fans each week who want to come to the games. Luckily the powers that be, foresaw this and designed Magness Arena to expand by several thousand seats by building the "false wall."

Just send the checks to Rob Revitte in the Alumni Relations Office.

Since you are going to be a large donor to the University, DU will probably "grease the wheels" on your last four semesters/quarters so that you get your degree faster and without too much hassle. Remember you have the leverage.

Here are some Independent Studies you can complete towards your DU Real Estate Degree while playing for the Sharks...


1). How to make $1,000,000 in your first year out of college.

2). How to buy a new House in the white hot California housing market with no money down.

3). How to win a Hobey, a NC and the Stanley Cup in one Calender year.

4). How to make more money in your first year out of college than most Colorado College Alums will make in a lifetime with their Arts & Crafts Degrees.

5). How to stay fit and not gain unwanted pounds after graduating from college.

6). How to avoid the hassle of playing in the AHL.

7). How I built my own house while holding down a full time job.

8). How I went from rooming with three stinky hockey players in Denver to staying at the Ritz Carlton and flying first class.

9). How to make First Round dollars while being a Second Round Draft choice.

10). How to send your kids to college without going broke.
Do You Know the Way to San Jose? So Long Matt

DU superstar defenseman Matt Carle signed with the San Jose Sharks today as soon as DU was not named to the NCAA Tournament. One of the great defensemen in DU history will forgo his Senior season.
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Carle will not dress against the Colorado Avalanche Sunday afternoon, but it will be a decision by Sharks Head Coach Ron Wilson when Carle plays his first NHL game. The rookie blueliner will wear number 25 when that occurs.
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Carle, recently completed his junior season with Denver University where he was named WCHA Player of the Year, WCHA Defensive Player of the Year and First-Team All WCHA. Carle became the first player in WCHA history to garner both the Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year Awards in the same season and is a finalist for the Hobey Baker Trophy, presented to college hockey’s top player. Named Denver’s team captain, Carle is tied for fifth among all NCAA scorers with 53 points (11 goals, 41 assists) in 39 games and first in assists. Overall, he led all NCAA defensemen in goals (11), assists (42), points (53) and is second in points per game (1.36). Carle ranks first in the NCAA in assists per game (1.08) and is tied for 10th in points per game (1.36).
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“We are excited about Matt joining the San Jose Sharks,” said Wilson.
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“His accomplishments over the past several years speak for themselves. He has made tremendous progress in the last few seasons and that is a testament to the program at DU and guidance and leadership provided by Head Coach George Gwozdecky and his staff. We are looking forward to taking his development to the next level”
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Carle ranked tied for third in WCHA overall scoring and led all WCHA defensemen in points, goals and assists in league play. Carle set DU's single-season assist record for defensemen at 42 and his 53 points rank second on DU's single-season points list for defensemen. He was named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week on Dec. 5, Dec. 19 and Feb. 13. In addition, he was named to the All-WCHA All-Academic Team.
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In 2004, Carle became the first U.S.-born player to capture the World Junior and NCAA titles in the same season. The following season, he helped lead Denver to a repeat NCAA title. Also in 2004-05, he led all WCHA defensemen in scoring with 39 points (12 goals, 27 assists) in 39 games and was eighth among all WCHA scorers. Carle was named a NCAA Defenseman of the Year, NCAA All-American Team (West), First All-WCHA Team, USCHO First Team All American and First Team All American by InsideCollegeHockey.com.
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In 2003-04, he was named to the All-WCHA Rookie Team after finishing sixth among WCHA defensemen with 25 points (five goals, 20 assists) in 30 games. The six-foot, 190-pound native of Anchorage, Alaska was selected by the Sharks in the second round (47th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

2005-06 All Bad Boyz Team

Just when we were set to announce the team at the Frozen Four, reports are surfacing out of Mankato about a Search Warrent being issued for multiple Maverick hockey players, involving drugs, sex and cameras....

Welcome to the LetsGoDU College Hockey Crime Blog. We have enough players and coaches to put together a pretty competitive team. Twenty-six players have been nominated so far. If you would like some music to listen to while you read the nominees click HERE.


Forwards

(Captain) Mike Hamilton, Maine (Junior) Hockey East
Charges - Aggravated Assault and Criminal Mischief
Jail Time - Overnight in Penobscot County Jail
Suspensions - "Indefinate"
Witnesses - Ex-Girlfriend
LetsGoDU Recap

7 New Hampshire Forwards - Hockey East
(Daniel Winnik, Trevor Smith, Josh Ciocco, Brett Hemingway, Jerry Pollastrone, Greg Collins and Mike Radja)
Charges - Broke Team Rule #1546 - "No cocktails before the game..."
Jail Time - None
Suspensions - One Game
Witnesses - Themselves (turned themselves in)
USCHO Recap
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Mike Atkinson, Vermont (Freshman) - Voted by fans Hockey East
Charges - Diving while intoxicated and careless driving
Jail Time - Was taken to hospital
Suspensions - Indefinitely and left school
Witnesses - Not Known
USCHO Recap
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Defensemen

(Asst. Captain) John Scott, Michigan Tech (Senior) - Voted by fans WCHA
Charges - Malicious destruction of property, assault w/ a dangerous weapon & operating vehicle while intoxicated
Jail Time - Overnight
Suspensions - 14 Games
Witnesses - Two terrified MTU students in the car getting rammed by Scott's SUV
Newspaper Recap (Its a good one)
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Mike Ruberto, Canisius (Sophmore) Atlantic Hockey
Charges - None
Jail Time - None
Suspensions - Dismissed from School
Witness - Not Known
USCHO Recap


Goaltender

Jeff Frazee, Minnesota (Freshman) WCHA
Charges - None
Jail Time - None
Suspensions - Leads the WCHA in suspensions with two. Drinking at Blarneys & Missing Class
Witnesses - Fox 9 viewers in Minneapolis-St. Paul & All of his classmates who never see him.
Fox 9 Recap


Coach

Frank "Skates" Serratore, Air Force Academy CHA
Charges - None
Jail Time - None
Suspensions - Business Partner has been "Suspended with Pay" by the City of Omaha
Witnesses - "He Said, She Said"
LetsGoDU Recap
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The Bench

The "Canisius Four" - dismissed from school.

Wes Clark (Maine) - The Ultimate "Wing Man"

Aaron Slattengren (CC) - Nailed the Exacta - Kicked off the team and dismissed from school.

Lane Caffaro and T.J. Fox (Union) - According to the Coach they were suspended for being "Good Citizens" and "one day will be captains of the team."

The Mankato "Checking Line" (MSU-Mankato) - These five or six players (depending on which version you subscribe too) plus a member of the MSU's Women's team did it all: allegedly smoked the peace pipe, perhaps laced with the date rape drug, sexual assault and then broke out the camera for posterity.

The Duke Lacrosse Team (Duke) - OK, its not a college hockey team, but you have to admit if you read the story and they didn't mention the school or the sport, you might have guessed hockey. The worst part was all the free national publicity lacrosse received. College hockey always gets the short end of the stick.


Theme Song Artist

Gary Glitter, British Citizen. Wrote Rock & Roll Part II

Charges - Rape, Child Porn, Lewd acts with a minor(s), Bad Hair Cut (not convicted)

Jail Time - Britian & Vietnam

Suspension - Thanks to a few well timed bribes he slithered out of the "Death Penalty" in Vietnam

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www.letsgodu.blogspot.com


Pioneers Clean Up on Post Season Awards

Matt Carle becomes the first player to win WCHA Player of the Year & WCHA Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.
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The Pioneers also landed 12 student-athletes on the All-WCHA Academic Team. Matt Carle, Ted O'Leary, Paul Stastny, Zach Blom, Steven Cook, J.D. Corbin, Glenn Fisher, Ryan Helgason, Jon James, Danny King, Brock McMorris and Andrew Thomas represented the Pioneers on the All-WCHA Academic Team.


WCHA Player of the Year
Matt Carle, Jr, D, University of Denver


WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year
Ted O'Leary, Sr, F, University of Denver


WCHA Defensive Player of the Year
Matt Carle, Jr, D, University of Denver


WCHA Rookie of the Year

Phil Kessel, Fr, F, University of Minnesota

WCHA Coach of the Year
Don Lucia, University of Minnesota Bob Motzko, St. Cloud State University

WCHA Scoring Champion
Paul Stastny, So, F, University of Denver


WCHA Goaltending Champion

Brian Elliott, Jr, University of Wisconsin

2005-06 All-WCHA First Team
Pos Name Team Hgt Wgt Yr Hometown Pts
F Ryan Potulny Minnesota 6-0 193 Jr Grand Forks, ND 367
F Brett Sterling Colorado College 5-8 182 Sr Pasadena, CA 287
F Paul Stastny Denver 6-0 210 So St. Louis, MO 266
D Matt Carle Denver 6-0 195 Jr Anchorage, AK 390
D Tom Gilbert Wisconsin 6-3 210 Sr Bloomington, MN 304
G Bobby Goepfert St. Cloud State 5-10 170 Jr Kings Park, NY 314

2005-06 All-WCHA Second Team

Pos Name Team Hgt Wgt Yr Hometown Pts
F Joe Pavelski Wisconsin 5-11 185 So Plover, WI 204
F Marty Sertich Colorado College 5-8 165 Sr Roseville, MN 143
F David Backes Minnesota State 6-3 210 Jr Blaine, MN 138
D Alex Goligoski Minnesota 6-0 178 So Grand Rapids, MN 222
D Brian Salcido Colorado College 6-2 193 Jr Hermosa Beach, CA 174
G Brian Elliott Wisconsin 6-3 187 Jr Newmarket, ON 270

2005-06 All-WCHA Third Team
Pos Name Team Hgt Wgt Yr Hometown Pts
F Drew Stafford North Dakota 6-2 200 Jr Faribault, MN 131
F Ryan Dingle Denver 5-10 190 So Steamboat Springs, CO 118
F Danny Irmen Minnesota 6-0 193 Jr Fargo, ND 113
D Chris Harrington Minnesota 6-0 182 Sr St. Cloud, MN 122
D Matt Smaby North Dakota 6-5 220 Jr Minneapolis, MN 76
G Jordan Parise North Dakota 5-11 190 Jr Faribault, MN 58

2005-06 All-WCHA Rookie Team
Pos Name Team Hgt Wgt Yr Hometown Votes
F Phil Kessel Minnesota 6-0 190 Fr Madison, WI 73
F T.J. Oshie North Dakota 5-11 182 Fr Warroad, MN 72
F Mason Raymond Minnesota Duluth 6-0 170 Fr Cochrane, AB 40
D Chris Butler Denver 6-1 185 Fr St. Louis, MO 55
D Brian Lee North Dakota 6-3 190 Fr Moorhead, MN 50
G Dan Tormey Minnesota State 6-2 195 Fr Syracuse, NY 55
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Wait Till Next Year - Part I

Family hobby pays dividends for California NTDP forward

By John Raffel Dec. 9, 2005
Special to usahockey.com

Steve and Joan Rakhshani decided one day to pick up a hobby, and rollerblading fit the bill. As an unexpected consequence of that decision, their son has emerged as one of the most valuable members of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program.

Rhett Rakhshani (Huntington Beach, Calif.) presently plays for the NTDP’s Under-18 Team, and has played inline hockey for 11 years, which his dad says helped the younger Rakhshani prepare himself a future in ice hockey.

Football, however, is the main sport in the Rakhshani family background. Steve Rakhshani played football at the University of Hawaii and his brother, Dick, played on two national champion teams at the University of Southern California.

As their hobby, inline skating for Steve Rakhshani and his wife eventually led to inline hockey as a family activity.

“We’d get a bunch of people to play with us,” Steve said. “We eventually got Rhett involved with it. Around here in California, [inline hockey] is huge. The sport is going like crazy, and a lot of kids go into ice hockey.

“Rhett enjoyed playing [inline hockey]. He and the others would play as much hockey as they could get. It was fun.”

Last season, Rakhshani played in 63 games as an alternate captain for the U.S. Under-17 Team and recorded 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points, the second-highest total on the team. He also scored one goal and added three assists for Team USA in a championship effort at the Four Nations Cup in Rochester, N.Y.

“I’ve made a lot of improvement [this season],” said Rakhshani, who said he has benefited from the team's NCAA schedule, which includes Division I and III opponents. “The college game is so much faster. You have to learn how to make better decisions.”

During the 2003-04 season, Rakhshani saw action in 56 games for the California Wave, a Midget AAA team, and recorded 54 goals and 67 assists for 112 points. The previous year, with the Wave Bantam AAA team, he scored 105 points. He has also competed in USA Hockey's Select 15 and 16 camps.

Rakhshani’s mother stays with her son in an apartment near the rink in Ann Arbor, Mich., and is right there providing an accredited home school program for Rhett.

“It’s a huge commitment from my wife,” said Steve, who commutes back and forth to Michigan to see as many games as possible. “That way, in home school, Rhett gets a more flexible schedule. He’s been home-schooled since the first grade.”

And he continues to provide key contributions to the NTDP.

“He’s been a good playmaker for us,” said John Hynes, the NTDP's U18 head coach. “He has a great knack for the game. He’s developing into an elite player.”

Rakhshani’s career will take a new turn next year when he joins the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. He has signed to play at the University of Denver, the two-time defending national champions.

“They’ve had a successful program there,” Rakhshani said. “When I visited the school, I felt very comfortable there. I like the coaching staff and their style of play.”

Whatever happens in the future, Rakhshani will always be grateful that his parents got him involved in inline hockey.

“It’s 4-on-4, no checking,” he said. “It gives you a chance to work on your skills. You work very hard. When I played [inline hockey], that’s how I developed my shot for ice hockey.”

He’s hoping his shot will be at its best next April when the Under-18 Team plays at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship in Sweden.

“The Four Nations tournaments that we’re in will be good training for us at the world tournament,” he said.
DU To Reload & Rebuild


By Mike Chambers
Denver Post Staff Writer



Matt Carle emerged from the closed University of Denver locker room Sunday night after consoling the Pioneers' two seniors, Gabe Gauthier and Ted O'Leary, after the loss to Minnesota-Duluth.

Question is, was anyone consoling Carle?

Carle, perhaps DU's finest defenseman since the late Keith Magnuson in the 1960s, also might have played his final game with the Pioneers.

After the two-time defending NCAA champions were knocked out of NCAA Tournament contention by being eliminated from the WCHA playoffs by Minnesota-Duluth, Carle said he would complete final exams and then meet with his parents to decide on his future. His choice comes down to returning for his senior season or joining the San Jose Sharks.

"All I'm thinking about now is finals and finishing the quarter strong here from an education (standpoint), and we'll go from there," Carle said.

Carle, who shared captain duties with Gauthier, tied sophomore center Paul Stastny for a team-leading 53 points in 39 games. If Carle returns to DU, he is assured of being a captain next season for a team that should be strong in all areas. Gauthier, who finished fourth on the team with 39 points, is the only significant loss. O'Leary did not produce a point in 38 games. DU (20-15-3) will regain the services of highly touted freshman forward Brock Trotter, who severed his Achilles tendon five games into the season, and welcomes an elite recruiting class built from the fruits of back-to-back championship seasons.

With or without Carle, Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky said the strength of next season's team will be experience and the knowledge that losing home games to teams such as Princeton cannot be tolerated. Next season's team will "hopefully see the importance of what every game means at this level," Gwozdecky said. "At least a handful of games we look at and say, 'If only we would have won.' We're sitting here looking at all the teams that will get into the national tournament and saying, 'What if?"'

UMD Shocks DU - Season Over

Box Score

DENVER - Minnesota Duluth scored four goals in a span of 3:45 in the second period to erase a 1-0 lead by No. 8/7 University of Denver en route to handing the back-to-back NCAA National Champion Pioneers a 5-2 season-ending loss tonight in front of 3,382 fans at Magness Arena. UMD's win secured a 2-1 series victory for the Bulldogs (11-24-4) in the first round of the WCHA Playoffs and denied DU (21-15-3) its second consecutive trip to the Red Baron WCHA Final Five.

Sophomore center Paul Stastny (St. Louis, Mo.) had a power-play goal and one assist for DU, which finished 1-for-6 on the man advantage. Senior center Gabe Gauthier (Buena Park, Calif.) also notched one goal and one assist while sophomore left wing Ryan Dingle (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) and freshman right wing Patrick Mullen (Pittsburgh, Pa.) each added one assist for DU.

DU sophomore goaltender Peter Mannino (Farmington Hills, Mich.) took the first playoff loss of his career (6-1-0) and made 14 saves before being replaced by junior goaltender Glenn Fisher (Edmonton, Alberta) at 16:02 of the second period. Fisher finished with eight saves while Nate Ziegelmann stopped 33 shots for Minnesota Duluth, which was 2-for-7 on the power play.

"The loss is disappointing because we had a really good start to the game," DU Head Coach George Gwozdecky said. "We tried all kinds of things to get back into the game and had a bunch of flurries, but their young goaltender played really well."

Helgason Leads DU To Victory

The University of Denver Pioneers evened their best 2-of-3 first-round WCHA Playoff Series with Minnesota Duluth after defeating the Bulldogs 3-2 tonight in front of 5,657 fans at Magness Arena. Junior right wing Ryan Helgason scored the game-winning goal with 4:29 remaining to break a 2-2 tie for the Pioneers, who saw UMD erase their 2-0 second-period lead.
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It appeared that the Pioneers would head to overtime for a school-record fourth consecutive time when UMD deflected a shot into the net with 6.8 seconds left in the third period. However, the goal was reviewed and overtuned because Tim Stapleton's deflection was made with a high stick.

Pioneers sophomore left wing Ryan Dingle scored two goals, marking his seventh game this season with two or more scores. DU sophomore goaltender Peter Mannino improved to 6-0-0 in the postseason for his career after stopping 29 shots.

Pioneers junior defenseman Matt Carle set a DU single-season record for assists by a defenseman with his 41st of the year on a first-period goal. The Hobey Baker Award candidate also assisted on another DU score to finish with two points while junior right wing J.D. Corbin (Littleton, Colo.) also added two assists.The Pioneers, who were 0-for-3 on the power play, generated 30 shots with Minnesota Duluth goaltender Nate Ziegelmann finishing the game with 27 saves. The Bulldogs were 1-for-5 on the power play and totaled 31 shots.

"I think we had a much better attitude coming into this game tonight, and we knew we had to play hard and with intensity," DU Head Coach George Gwozdecky said. "Mannino came up with some big saves when we needed them, and that was a positive for us."

Its Backs Against The Wall Time
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Box Score
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DENVER - MacGregor Sharp scored 1:25 into overtime to give Minnesota Duluth a 3-2 win over the University of Denver Pioneers in the opening game of their WCHA first-round playoff series tonight in front of 5,706. DU, which played in its third consecutive overtime contest, saw its 16-game overtime unbeaten streak end with the loss.
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The Pioneers, the No. 2 seed in the WCHA Playoffs, were led by sophomore center Paul Stastny's two power-play goals. Freshman right wing Patrick Mullen assisted on both scores for the Pioneers, who finished 2-for-5 on the power play and totaled 29 shots.
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DU junior goaltender Glenn Fisher made 15 saves in taking the loss. UMD (10-23-4) snapped its six-game losing streak with the win and was led by left wing Andrew Carroll's two goals and one assist. The No.9-seeded Bulldogs were 1-for-2 on the power play, and UMD goaltender Nate Ziegelmann stopped 29 shots to earn the win.
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"Minnesota Duluth played really well tonight and deserves full credit for the win," DU Head Coach George Gwozdecky said. "You could really see that we lost a lot of our intensity and determination as the game went on, and Duluth sensed that and got better and better."

WCHA Playoffs Begin Tonight

(above) Ryan Caldwell goes "top-shelf" on a breakaway over UMD's Issac Reichmuth in a remarkable comeback at the 2004 Frozen Four

Denver faces Minnesota Duluth tonight to begin a best of three WCHA playoff series. DU still must win this series to qualify for the NCAA playoffs, so there's plenty on the line. UMD on the otherhand, has stuggled mightily since Christmas, so it would appear to be a walkover for DU, on paper at least.

Its the same story for DU every weekend. Play stiffling defense, wait for Power Play opportunities, try and get something going 5 on 5 and hope the goaltending holds up. So far the formula has worked pretty well, but when the PP doesn't score, DU loses.

This is the time of year when DU has stepped it up defensively in the past two seasons. We'll see what happens tonight.
UMD Unveils 2006-07 Season Ticket Campaign

(Above) artists drawings of the new DEEC

The Duluth advertising firm of Loon & Geezer have unveiled the Bulldogs Season ticket campaign for next season designed to "hold down the fort" until the DECC is rebuilt. Emphasing a message of hope and a looking towards a bright future the campaign entitled...

"We're Gonna Suck Until We Get The New Digs"

Duluth City Fathers have always had an optimistic view of the city calling Duluth the "Miami Beach of Minnesota" and building an aquarium in one of the coldest places on earth, so this campaign should fit right in.
You Can't Spell Hottie Without D.U.
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Which DU Goaltender Has His Eyes On Gwoz's Job
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Lord Of The Springs Does It One Mo' Time
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Its Hard to See in Background,
But This CC Fan Has a '57 Chevy. I'm Not Kidding.

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Coach & Boone Swap Autographs

DU Wins In The Springs
Gwoz To Stick With Catholic Rotation For UMD Series

It is the time of the year when a hot goaltender can carry a team a long way.
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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."

The UMD Equipment Manager Packs Some Extra Equipment For The Trip To Denver
Matt Carle on "At The Rink"

Denver junior defenseman Matt Carle, the current leader in CSTV’s Hobey Baker Watch, answered several good questions on CSTV.com’s “Tuesday @ the Rink” chat.

Here is the link to the chat: http://www.cstv.com/chat/030606aaa.html
Stats Named WCHA Player of the Week Again

Wins Conference Scoring Title
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DU center Paul Stastny, who captured the 2005-06 WCHA scoring championship with a three-goal, one assist performance in a win and tie against arch-rival Colorado College last weekend, has been named Red Baron WCHA Offensive Player of the Week. Stastny also earned the weekly honor on Feb 13.
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A 6-0, 210-pound sophomore, Stastny's 44 points in 28 league games, with 15 goals and 29 assists, enabled him to become Denver's first conference scoring champion since Dave Shields in 1989-90. Stastny edged teammate Matt Carle and Minnesota's Ryan Potulny by two points for the scoring title. Carle and Potulny finished with 42 points each.

Last Thursday evening at the Colorado Springs World Arena, Stastny led the way for the visiting Pioneers with a pair of goals, including the game-opening tally in the first period and the game-winner at 3:33 of overtime, as Denver rallied from a one-goal third period deficit to win 5-4 in overtime.

Stastny then came back last Friday (March 4) in the rematch against the Tigers to score a game-tying goal in the third period and also draw an assist as host Denver gained a 3-3 overtime tie against CC and three points in the series.

In addition to his four-point series, Stastny also added 10 shots on goal, added 10 hits, and finished the two games with a +3 plus-minus rating. Overall this season, the Colorado Avalanche (NHL) draftee ranks second behind Carle in scoring with 16-33--49 in 36 games.

Denver, now 20-13-3 overall on the season, hosts Minnesota Duluth in the first round of the WCHA Playoffs this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (if necessary) at Magness Arena.

DU Welcomes UMD to Denver
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Hot Dogs $3 @ Magness
DU Fans Gather By Team Bus at World Arena After Another CC Collaspe
DU Suffers Tragic Tie With CC

Box Score

The University of Denver erased a third-period deficit for the third consecutive game to clinch the No. 2 seed in the WCHA Playoffs with a 3-3 tie against Colorado College in front of 6,124 fans at Magness Arena. DU, which began the final period trailing 2-0, scored three consecutive goals in the third period before CC tallied a goal with 47 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime.
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The Pioneers played their second overtime game in a row against the Tigers following their 5-4 win Thursday night in Colorado Springs. DU's victory extended its unbeaten streak in overtime to 16 games, and the Pioneers are 6-0-1 in their last seven games against Colorado College.

"I thought we played pretty well in the first period, but we just didn't finish around the net," DU Head Coach George Gwozdecky said. "After they scored their second goal, you could see the change in how we moved the puck, shared the puck and relied on our simple-but-effective style of play."

Un-BEE-lievable
(left) DU celebrates OT goal, while the DU fans make plans to hit the Golden Bee postgame
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DU came from behind in the Third Period led by Paul Stastny who scored two goals, including the game-winner at 3:33 in overtime, as the No. 10 Denver Pioneers rallied for a 5-4 win over No. 4 Colorado College tonight in WCHA action before 7,732 shocked fans at World Arena. Adrian Veideman added two power-play goals, including the game-tying score in the third period, as DU recorded its sixth consecutive win over their in-state rivals. CC falls to 23-13-1 overall and 15-11-1 in league play. The Tigers received two goals and one assist from All-American Brett Sterling in the loss.
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J.D. Corbin tallied three assists, including the game-winner to a streaking Stastny from the boards behind the right faceoff circle in the extra period. Stastny's goal from the low slot beat a helpless Matt Zaba as DU improved to 6-0-9 in its last 15 overtime games.
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Peter Mannino came off the bench to earn the win with 12 saves.
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Veideman tied it at 4-4 with his second power-play goal of the night at 10:47 of the third period. Veideman bombed a slap shot from the point that was redirected by a CC defender past Zaba (24 saves). CC killed off a crucial 5-on-3 DU advantage for 1 minute and 25 seconds and the remaining 35 seconds with the man-advantage with six minutes left in the period.
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Stastny struck first for DU when he buried a Ryan Dingle feed at 2:40 of the first period. CC stormed back with goals from Trevor Frischmon and Sterling to take a 2-1 lead. Frischmon flipped a wrist shot off the back of Glenn Fisher from the bottom of the left circle at 5:17 and Sterling scored on a 5-on-3 CC advantage at 9:35. Dingle quickly tied it for DU with a backhanded wrist shot on the power play at 16:46.
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Veideman's power-play goal at 3:13 of the second stanza regained the lead for DU, but Sterling tied it 15 seconds later with his second goal of the night. Derek Patrosso's goal at 8:01 gave CC a 4-3 and Mannino replaced Fisher (15 saves) moments later. Sterling left the game with an injury near the 9 minute mark of the period.
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CC outshot DU, 31-29, and finished 1-for-4 on the power play. DU finished 3-for-8 with the man-advantage and is now 7-for-16 with the man-advantage in its last two games.
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The win assures the Pioneers a top-3 finish in the WCHA. DU aims for its first four-game season sweep against CC since the 1987-88 season tomorrow night.
OK. Who Stole Scottie Owen's Mustache Clippers?

The Schedule This Weekend

Colorado College vs. University of Denver

All DU & CC fans are welcome at these events

Thursday, March 2nd

Colorado Springs
Pre-Game
5:30 - 7 PM
2815 Geyser Dr

Post Game
10:30 - Late
The Golden Bee
1 Lake Circle
(719) 577-5790

Friday, March 3rd

Denver
Pre-Game
5:30 - 7 PM
Spanky's
1800 E. Evans

Post-Game
10:30 - Late
The Border
2014 S. University
DU Lands Big Fish
Seabrook To Join Pioneers
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According to Heisenberg, the top rated defenseman in British Columbia will come to DU in 2007. In January, Hockey Night In Canada in the "After Hours" segment, interviewed, Burbaby Express (BCHL) defenseman Keith Seabrook, who expressed interest in attending Denver. He said a DU coach had visited him that weekend.
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Seabrook's brother Brent went the WHL route and now plays in the NHL for the Chicago Blackhawks.
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Last season Keith was named Burbaby's Rookie of the Year. He's listed at 5'11 185 lbs. According to Heisenberg, he is the 4th best college prospect in British Columbia, and was the top BCHL prospect not yet recruited. He puts up similiar goals to assist ratio as DU defenseman Matt Carle.
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The recruiting for DU in the next two years has been really ratcheted up in Canada. Obviously the two NC's has paid some big dividends up North. When Seabrook arrives in Denver he will join fellow BC recruits Kyle Ostrow ('07), Cody Brookwell ('06) and goaltender Marc Cheverie ('07). This would give DU three of the top ten college recruits from British Columbia, the top BC Goaltender and two of the top two six college recruits from Alberta (Matt Glasser '06 & Jesse Martin '07).
Matt Carle Hobey Watch
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Things are getting very tight in the CSTV Hobey Poll. Matt Carle has a very slight lead over Minnesota's Ryan Poltney this week. Meanwhile Inside College Hockey has Matt in first place over Chris Collins of Boston College.
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MATT CARLE, DEFENSEMAN, JR., DENVER

Dave Starman
"NoDak had their big guns trained on him all weekend. He was better Saturday night. NoDak can forecheck you to death, and finish hits, but Carle managed to be a big factor Saturday."

Adam Wodon
"Three more assists for the nation's leader in points for defensemen. The big test is this weekend. He needs to help defend Sertich and Sterling."

Billy Jaffe
"Carle is, hands down, the best all-around defenseman in the country."

Inside College Hockey
Leads the nation's blueliners in goals and ranks third among all players in assists, solid in his own end and a terrific leader. One can argue convincingly that he's having one of the best seasons by a defenseman in the last 20 years.
34 GP, 11-39—50 (Previous rank: 2nd)

Ruh-Roh! Johnny Law Wants To Know What Gopher Recruits Are Doing At Blarneys

Western College Hockey Blog and our friends at Fox 9 News have the scoop on a police search warrent issued in the never ending Blarney Gate saga. It might be a good idea for DU to sweep this weekend, finish second in the WCHA and then have the NCAA force the Gophers to vacate the MacNaughton. Call the Banner Company.
The Lord of the Springs: Return of the King

Trailer

In this episode, the Pioneers are going after a third consecutive National Championship. Once again the evil Cheetahs of Colorado College and stand between the Pioneers and their rightful spot in the NCAA Tournament. The evil wizard Scottie Owens has seen his forces decimated by a cheating scandal that threatened to envelope the entire team. Luckily Slattengren was sacrificed and the two High Flying Hobey Hobbits were spared.
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Meanwhile the Lord of the Springs (pictured above) has gone down to the World Arena which he will soon besiege. But first he meets with the WCHA Warlord, Bruce MacCloud to make sure that there is no "funny business" with the referees like last week.
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The Pioneer Riders, armed with their potent Power Play, ready to battle the evil little Cheetah Hobbits. Led by Stastny, Carle and Gauthier, the Pioneer Riders sweep across the battlefield and prepare to vanquish the Cheetahs. In an epic battle Paukovich, Cook, Handza, May and Thomas do most of the dirty work while Corbin and Dingle speed around the Cheetah defensive perimeter.
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Inside the arena, Scottie Owens descends into madness as he watches the plight of his team and the deadly choking of his goaltender, the "Great Sieve" Matt Zaba. Convinced that all is lost, Owens orders Zaba’s body carried into the mausoleum, where he plans to burn himself and his goaltender alive.
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Meanwhile during the battle, Coach Gwozdecky has taken a puck to the noggin and appears to be motally wounded, until he suddenly recovers. The ability to heal and to lead undermanned forces to victory is a sign of the True King.
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Just when the battle appears lost for the Pioneers, Butler, Veideman, Fast & Testwieude are rescued by giant red-tailed hawks from the slopes of the Rocky Mountains, and the DU team doctors tend to their injuries. The college hockey world hails them as heroes for once again destroying Colorado College's season. Coach Gwozdecky retains the throne as college hockey's top coach and DU wins another National Championship completing the Trilogy.