DU Treads Water During Bye Week

From: Rocky Mountain News
By: Pat Rooney

The University of Denver hockey team is not necessarily fit to be tied. The Pioneers, so far, just happen to be playing that way.

DU recorded its fourth consecutive series split, including two within the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, this weekend at league rival Minnesota Duluth.
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A .500 record (4-4-0) is not what the Pioneers wanted heading into their first bye of the season this week. But with a number of freshmen continuing to get more comfortable and productive, combined with a season-opening schedule that has the Pioneers on the road for eight of their first 10 games, the splits are keeping DU afloat in the league and national pictures.
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If the Pioneers can protect their home ice once the glut of games at Magness Arena begin, the road wins they already have recorded against St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth, plus a neutral-ice win against Colgate, will give them valuable points when the NCAA tournament selection process begins.
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The Pioneers, whose ultimate goal is a berth at the West Regional at the Pepsi Center, can further pad their road résumé after the bye. Next week, DU travels to Wisconsin for two games against the defending national champions.
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"In this league, the old saying goes that you sweep at home and you split on the road, and if you do that you put yourself in great position to contend," DU coach George Gwozdecky said. "Obviously, that is a lot easier said than done. But there is no question you always have to get at least one win on the road.
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"Nobody can afford to lose ground. You have to continue to try to be successful. You have to continue to win at least some games of those series, if not both games. There is no other way around it."
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While Wisconsin's Kohl Center remains one of the most daunting venues in the WCHA, the Badgers were swept there over the weekend by Boston College in a rematch of last spring's national championship game.
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The Pioneers also have been unfazed by the raucous Kohl Center faithful. DU recorded a sweep there last season and has gone 9-3-2 since the venue opened in 1998.
Love Story: WCHA Style

(Left) The MTU fans wore Toga's this weekend as MTU Swept UAA. MeanEgirl is pictured front row right holding the broom.

Where to begin...Where to begin...

Michigan Tech has a huge hockey fan nicknamed MeanEgirl. She also happens to write Michigan Tech's hockey blog as well as play in Tech's Pep Band.

During the first St. Cloud series last year, MEg was taunting SCSU defenseman Casey Borer (#6). Eventually Casey winked at her. MEg decided to take this as a sign Borer had a crush on her, made all manner of signs advertising this, posted on his Facebook wall, etc. When Borer took a penalty that game, MEg went over to the box and started hitting on him.

She eventually got to meet Borer and his girlfriend in St. Cloud. It was hilarity.

Luckily this was all caught on film and the video qualifies as an "ESPN Instant Classic." Download the video (11 MB) and if you're lucky enough to watch it, you'll laugh out loud.
CC = Denver Rejects

From: Greyeagle (LetsGoDU Twin Cities Bureau Chief)

This should solicit a grin from DU fans, several times during tonight's Minnesota-Colorado College game the Minnesota student section was chanting "Denver Rejects" at the CC players. Funny stuff.

CC was swept this weekend by the Gophers 2-0 and 8-1. They've now been outscored 17-3 in their last three games. Ouch.

Some Good News For CC: Visitor and Site traffic at CC Tiger Board is way up this season...

The Bad News: Its mostly DU fans wanting a chuckle
Super Fosh Leads DU to Victory
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From: DU Pioneers Website

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DULUTH, Minn. - Freshman Rhett Rakhshani tallied two goals and Junior Ryan Dingle tallied the game-winning goal (his 2nd of the night) as the Denver Pioneers dominated the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs in a 4-2 win. Junior goaltender Peter Mannino stopped 23 shots for his first win as the Pioneers earned the series split and improved to 4-4-0 overall and 2-2-0 in the WCHA. Rest of Article

DU Lineup vs. UMD

Trotter - Ruegsegger - Mullen
Rakhshani - Dingle - Gifford
Glasser - Paukovich - Helgason
Cook - Handza - Teswuide

Butler - Marcuzzi
Veideman - Seabrook
Thomas - Fast

Mannino
DU 1 - UMD 2 OT
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From: DU Athletics Website
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DULUTH, Minn. - Jason Garrison tallied the game-winning goal at 1:03 in overtime to lift the host Minnesota Bulldogs to a 2-1 win over the Denver Pioneers in WCHA action tonight before 3,949 fans at the DECC. Senior goaltender Glenn Fisher starred with 36 saves, but the Pioneers were outshot 36-22 and blanked on all seven power-play opportunities. Junior Ryan Dingle scored DU's lone goal, but the Pioneers fell to 3-4-0 overall and 1-2-0 in the WCHA. Rest Of Article

DU Lineup vs. UMD

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Rakhshani - Dingle - Gifford
Trotter - Ruegsegger - Mullen
Glasser - Paukovich - Helgason
Cook - Handza - Teswuide

Seabrook - Veideman
Butler - Marcuzzi
Thomas - Brookwell

Fisher


No Questioning Trotter's Recovery

(left) Famed Bolshevik revolutionary Trotsky was assissinated in Mexico City with an "Ice Axe." DU is hoping for a better fate for Trotter who was injuried with an "Ice Skate."
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From: Denver Post
Mike Chambers
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You might have seen the bumper sticker: "Give blood, play hockey."

But Brock Trotter's bloody injury was nothing to joke about. A year ago this weekend, when he was a University of Denver freshman doing his best Paul Stastny impersonation, he had his right Achilles tendon severed by North Dakota defenseman Matt Smaby's skate.

The touted Trotter-Stastny combination ended when Smaby's skate got lodged between Trotter's heel and rear boot protector. At the time, Trotter was leading the team with five points in five games.

Stastny went on to become the Western Collegiate Hockey Association scoring champion and an All-American, and his decision in June to turn professional with the Avalanche created an offensive void at DU. A healthy Trotter was the playmaking answer the Pioneers were looking for, but nobody was sure he would come back in pre-injury form.
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Six games into this season, there is little doubt Trotter, who received a medical hardship and is a redshirt freshman, is DU's best young forward since Stastny. Despite having a knot above his heel the size of a lemon, Trotter leads the Pioneers with eight points and has 13 points in 11 career games. Stastny had 17 points in his first 11 games at DU.
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"I probably won't ever feel 100 percent, but it's as good as it's going to be," Trotter said of his injury, which was surgically repaired the night of the accident in Grand Forks, N.D. "I really don't notice it on the ice, but I feel it when I train in the gym or running. Each month it feels better and it's become more of a mental thing than anything. I'm getting my confidence back each game."
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DU begins a two-game WCHA series tonight at Minnesota-Duluth. The Pioneers are coming off their best offensive outing of the season, beating RPI 5-1 on Saturday behind Trotter's three assists.

"We're really pleased that he was able to get back and not have the injury have a negative effect on his hockey career," DU coach George Gwozdecky said of Trotter, from Brandon, Manitoba. "He's worked extremely hard to get himself back when nobody really knew if he would regain full form."
DU @ UMD
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(left) "Champ" the Duluth Mascot lives in a crappy doghouse just like the UMD Hockey Team
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I don't know if Tom May will be back for DU this weekend (there was some talk of the suspension lasting to Thanksgiving), but we heard rumblings last week that he might be back tonight. If so, he'd reappear on the third or fourth line...If anyone knows one way or the other let us know.
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Based on last week against RPI DU will be very close to whats below.
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For the Good Guys
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Rakhshani - Dingle - Gifford
Trotter - Ruegsegger - Mullen
Glasser - Paukovich - Helgason
Cook - Handza - Teswuide

Seabrook - Veideman
Butler - Marcuzzi
Thomas - Brookwell

Fisher
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University Of Minnesota-Duluth
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Mason Raymond-Michael Gergen-Matt McKnight
MacGregor Sharp-Nick Kemp -Andrew Carroll
Jordan Fulton-Drew Akins-Bryan McGregor
Matt Greer-Logan Gorsalitz-Mike Curry
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Matt Niskanen-Josh Meyers
Jay Cascalenda-Travis Gawryletz
Jason Garrison-Ryan Geris
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Alex Stalock
UMD Blog Interviews dg

You know its a slow news day in Duluth, Minnesota when they have to start interviewing smartass DU Hockey fans. After poking fun of everyone else in the past year, Runnin' With The Dogs Blog tricked me when she secretly recorded our "off the record conversation." I have a good mind to have Number Two call UMD and threaten a lawsuit.

CC's Season In Jeopardy

I know what you're thinking. When I say "CC has Mono," you think it means that they have only won one National Championship in the past 53 years. Actually its a little more complicated than that. Bear with me as I unfold the mystery.
Now its time to play Jeopardy:

Alex Trebek: OK Guys, its all pretty close heading into the Final Question. The Catagory is "CC players with Mono."

Alex: Name the current CC player to come down with the disease...

dg: Who is Aaron Slattengren?
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Alex: Oooh. I'm sorry. He's no longer in school.

DU78: Who is Curtis McElhinney or Chris Kawano?

Alex: Oooh. Great answer but I'm sorry you are wrong. As we know CC goaltender Curtis McElhinney and third string goaltender Chris Kawano missed much of the 2003-04 season with mononucleosis. McElhinney appeared in only 19 games that season. This caused CC to miss the Colorado Springs Regional at World Arena. DU then came in upset #1 North Dakota and won the National Championship in Boston over Maine.

DU78: I knew that, but I just wanted to hear the story again.

Alex: Swami. What do you have for us?

Puck Swami: Alex, the answer is Who is Billy Sweat, CC's all everything Freshman Forward? I believe you can access the story at CC Tiger Board
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Alex: That is correct. How much did you wager?

Puck Swami: $10,500.

Alex: Well played.
Trotter showing familiar flash after injury derailed last season

From: Rocky Mountain News
By Pat Rooney
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It is safe to say Brock Trotter has recovered quite nicely.
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Trotter's magnificent debut with the University of Denver hockey team got derailed by a gruesome injury one year ago, yet through six games this season, he has shown no ill effects and seems to have retained his scoring touch.

After missing all but five games last season because of a torn right Achilles' tendon, Trotter has continued producing at the same rapid pace he left behind last season.

He leads the Pioneers with eight points (two goals, six assists) heading into this week's Western Collegiate Hockey Association series at Minnesota Duluth.

"I've been playing this game for a while now, so, mentally and physically, I was ready to go," Trotter said. "Obviously, with the good start I'm having, that's a bonus. It had almost been an entire calendar year since I played in a real game. It definitely was a wake-up call in that first game. Slowly, the confidence is building."

Trotter was held without a point in DU's opener but has put together a five-game points-scoring streak since, including three assists Saturday against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Trotter has played 11 games with DU but has posted two three-points games and one two-points game. Much of that production occurred early last season.

After going without a point in his DU debut, Trotter had three goals and two assists in the next three games before suffering the injury at North Dakota.

During a collision along the boards, the skate of a North Dakota player sliced through Trotter's right Achilles' tendon.

Though Trotter missed the rest of the season, a loss that was magnified as DU's lack of offensive depth contributed to its failure to reach the NCAA tournament, there was a silver lining.

Because Trotter's tendon was sliced neatly, instead of rupturing explosively as is more common in athletics, he was able to heal faster, a fact that has been reiterated by his hot start.

"We had no idea how it was going to respond," DU coach George Gwozdecky said. "We did feel good when the doctor said it was so cleanly sliced by the blade it was almost surgically done, so it was easy to repair. At the time, we didn't know if it was good news or not, but it seems like it's been good for Brock."

FAB FOUR: Trotter, who was granted a medical redshirt, has spent much of the season paired on DU's top line with fellow freshmen Tyler Ruegsegger and Brian Gifford, with classmate Rhett Rakhshani establishing himself on the Pioneers' second line.

That group has scored five goals, and freshmen have accounted for 18 of the Pioneers' 32 assists.

"I think we're really working well together," Ruegsegger said. "Everyone on the line works hard together and that definitely pays off."

New Look at DU

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers
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(left) Glenn Fisher has been steady this season for the Pioneers
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Denver Coach George Gwozdecky said the Pioneers (3-3, 1-1 WCHA) aren't "enamored" with their start, but remain optimistic about their future in a season that some say is a rebuilding process.
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In Saturday's 5-1 victory over RPI, DU played without two of its best players: center-wing J.D. Corbin (broken leg and ankle) and defenseman Chris Butler (academic suspension). Winning despite those two losses, coupled with the early NHL departures of Matt Carle and Paul Stastny, was important in forging a new identity.
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"We're slowly starting to figure it out," Gwozdecky said. "We were better Saturday than we were on Friday, in large part because of (goalie) Glenn Fisher, who made some crucial saves early in the game to keep it close.
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"Without Chris Butler, it was a real challenge for our defensive corps. Glenn Fisher and his work, at times, saved our bacon. But we like where we're going, and we're going to get there."
"Hey, TJ. Check out the top this co-ed is wearing" (click to enlarge. Photo-Greg Lau)

Best YouTube Videos Of College Hockey Fans


ATTN: DU Student Section aka "Crimson Creatures"

I went to the game this weekend and have to admit you guys did a really good job on Saturday Night. As I mentioned in the previous article, the "VIAGRA Cheer" is world-class and the "Spits vs. Swallows" Debate with the goaltender seemed to soften him up during the game.

Here's a few thoughts...

1). The students help the team. The players feed off of you and want score goals for you. When they fall behind or aren't playing well, thats when you have to really step things up and cheer more and louder.

2). Lets be honest the "Sieve Cheer" needs work. Miami of Ohio's was pretty awesome, but I couldn't find it on YouTube (ask Mannino, I think he knows it off by heart). Here's a few pointers from around the country...



3). When the Pep Band is playing...Get off your ass and join in. While you're at it, try and force the administration to put the Pep Band in the Student Section. You guys act like the band is from another school.


4). It wouldn't be a bad idea to learn a song or two. Rocky Mountain Way & Rocky Mountain High might be a good starting point.

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5). With the new Denver Metro Lightrail running right to DU, there's going to be instances when you take the train to the game. Watch the Boston University students take over the train and terrify old ladies...

BU Students on the train - (PG-17 Warning: Contains Graphic/Colorful Language which may be offensive to BU Administrators, priests, parents, wealthy donors & some Republicans)

6). Bring lots of Enthusiasim to the game...
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UNO: Hockey Fans w/ High Energy

7). This student spirit stuff is so easy a baby could do it...

Southern Cal


Most of all have fun and Lets Go DU
(above) DU's Homecoming floats looked nothing like this
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DU Parents & Homecoming Weekend Recap...

Friday
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5:00 PM - Plane lands in Denver.
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6:00 PM - (Driving to DU) I have to stop by Kinko's on my way to Spanky's (hamburger joint near DU). I purchased a Friday Night hockey ticket online earlier in the day at work. Ticketmaster said they would email it to me "later" and guess what? There's no hockey ticket in my email account. This is going to be an interesting evening.

6:15 PM - "Spanky's Gang" is in rare form by the time I arrive. There are at least 20 empty beer bottles on a large table and they are ordering "shots" like they are going out of style. Peer pressure is a dangerous weapon.
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6:45 PM - More shots, more beers at Spanky's. Some RPI fans stop by our table for a chat. They read "LetsGoDU.com" so we don't roll them in the alley behind Spanky's and take their cash.
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7 PM - A classmate of mine shows up and says he has an extra ticket. They were "comped" and we're sitting in DU's swanky Gold Club.
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7:15 PM - The DU Gold Club at Magness Arena is a "restricted section" with 600 seats or so, plus a bar, tables and chairs. There's a free buffet for each game and lots of smoozing. I'm the only clown wearing a DU Hockey Jersey (in other words I'm the worst dressed person there). I think I'll order a Scotch or two...
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7:30 PM - We're 20 minutes late for the game. DU scores on RPI as soon as we arrive.
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8:00 PM - Standing behind the last row of seats in the Gold Club is my favorite place in Magness Arena to watch a game. Close to the bar, easy access to the bathrooms, lots of conversations with "Frozen Four Friends" and best of all, interesting "people watching."
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9:30 PM - Oh yeah, there's a hockey game going on. Sometimes in Magness you forget because the crowd is so quiet. For the third week in a row, one of Gwoz's smartass former assistants is hanging a loss on the Master. This is unbearable. DU is playing like crap, and I'm picturing the West Regional at the Pepsi Center with 50 fans in March (tickets available from Ticketmaster, but don't trust the email option).
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10 PM - DU loses 2-1. Well, its off to the Border. Perhaps this night can be salvaged. Shots, shots, more shots...What hockey game? Hey, it works.
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Dubbie31, the only person in the bar not drinking, is my ride to the hotel, so I keep between him and the door as the "bewitching hour" approaches.
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2 AM -Sometime between 10 PM & 2 AM three inches of snow falls on the ground. Back at the hotel and my bags and computer are still in the rental car near Spanky's....
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Saturday
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10 AM - Like a moron I agreed with Puck Swami to attend the "Chancellor's Alumni Brunch" in DU's new "Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management Building" on campus. I've just caught a taxi back to DU and to be honest, I'm not feeling so great. Puck Swami calls my cell phone. I'm not sure why, but a Brunch with lots of B.S. and speeches triggers a violent vomiting attack. Not sure if Swami has ever heard anyone puke over the phone before, but my hand over the speaker apparently doesn't muffle the performance.
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Puck Swami - "We on?....Err....Are you OK?"
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dg - "Sure" I say, hoping he can't or won't make it (I'm thinking that I'd give a thousand dollars just to blow the whole thing off and go back to bed).
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Puck Swami -"I'll be at DU in 20 minutes." (More puking)
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11 AM - Brunch actually goes pretty well. Somehow I hold myself together and by not eating the food, manage not to throw up while the Chancellor explains that Tuition is "only going up by 6% a year, the faculty need to be paid more" and fields questions from the alums. I want to ask what he's going to do about the hockey team that's LOST TWO STRAIGHT GAMES!!!
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Noon - A group of us stroll around campus hitting the sights with some other Alums we've just met. I take them on a tour of the Kappa Sigma House that was rebuilt last year. A lot of the Actives know my name, and its like the scene in "Old School" when everyone calls Mitch the "Godfather." Its kind of embarassing.
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1 PM - We watch a little lacrosse in the new stadium. Its a glorious day and the weather is perfect.
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2 PM - We pop into a local institution, Mustard's Hot Dog Stand for a Coke. You know who, is behind the counter. He "comps" the drinks. Its good to be the Godfather.
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The "DU Homecoming Parade" begins. The floats are crappy and if I was a parent shelling out 40 grand per year, I'd be like "WTF." Lets put it this way, the parade in Animal House is classier. The good news is that the "parade" lasts five minutes, which is perfect. Time to get some sleep before the evening festivities.
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5 PM - "Taste of DU - Experience DU! Taste samples from restaurants owned by DU alumni as well as other local favorites."- This is how the event was marketed to the Parents and Alumni.
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Here's how it really goes down. The food lines are longggggggg. There's over a thousand alumni and parents in the DU Fieldhouse before the hockey game. You wait in line for 20 minutes to sample each food booth, while everyone complains about the lines (say what you will, but its a great way to meet people). The DU Pep Band plays several songs and they do a terrific job. After each song...Nobody claps or applauds. There's over a thousand people there and nobody applauds. Tough crowd.
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7 PM - DU and RPI's Hockey Teams are on the ice for pre-game introductions. DU's Intro Video comes on with all the past National Championships, dramtic music and flashing lights. Its very impressive.
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7:05 PM - The Lamont School of Music Men's Choir sings the National Anthem. They are unbelievably good. In fact they are better at singing than DU Hockey is on the Power Play.
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7:10 PM - One of my Kappa Sig buddies points out that lots of DU mothers and daughters are attending the game. He mentions that the "Moms are looking pretty good." Note to Self: Next year hit the "DU Parents Mixer" instead of the Border....
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7:30 PM - The DU Pep Band is doing a fantastic job. They will only play at one other hockey game this year. Why? Don't ask. Anyway, they are great.
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8:30 PM - The game is dragging on tied 1-1, when Andy Thomas scores on a wicked slap shot from the Blue Line on the Power Play. Its his second goal of the young season. Perhaps the DU Players' Moms should be coaching the team instead of Gwoz...I distinctly remember a Defenseman's Mom saying, "Thomas should be on the Power Play" last season...
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8:31 PM - DU's Student Section needs to work on the "Sieve Chant." Its really weak. Note to DU Student Section: Need to find Miami of Ohio's or Wisconsin's "Sieve Chant" on YouTube.
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8:35 PM - Now the rout is on (a day late and a dollar short). The Students finally get their act together and start viciously slandering the RPI goaltender. I didn't know the opposing goaltender was gay (not that there's anything wrong with that), but all our students seem to know about it and they have some unusual songs to announce it to the other 6,200 Alumni, family and friends in the Arena. The "Crimson Creatures" stay on the goalie throughout the Third Period and he gives up progressively softer goals. Ruegsegger nails a beautiful goal from an impossible angle (Think Junior Lessard's first goal against DU in the Frozen Four Semi-Final in 2004).
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8:40 PM - The next "student cheer" is a classic.
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"Gimme a V" - "V"
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"Gimme a I" - "I"
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"Gimme a A" - "A"
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"Gimme a G" - "G"
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"Gimme a R" - "R"
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"Gimme a A" - "A"
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"Whats that spell?" - "VIAGRA"
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"Whats that mean?" - "KEEP IT UP"
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The DU parents must finally understand what their 40 Grand a year is getting. Gems like that...Seriously I love cheers like that.
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9:30 PM - DU wins 5-1. There's been a big improvement since DU opened the Season in Ohio. Now if we can just get our upperclassmen to score some goals (sigh).
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9:35 PM - I go over to the DU Pep Band to congratulate a few of them on a job well done. There's no question that they improved the atmosphere at the game by 200% over Friday night when they didn't perform.
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10 PM - I'm done. I throw in the towel and head back to the hotel a beaten man. Good thing Homecoming only occurs once a year...

LetsGoDU.com Message Board & Website

If you like the LetsGoDU Hockey Blog, we now have the new and improved Message Board & Website. The LetsGoDU Empire is growing to provide the avid college hockey fan with the most in depth coverage of DU Hockey. Check it out.
DU blows lead, falls to RPI

RPI 2, DENVER 1


By Mike Chambers

Denver Post


The protégé beat the mentor.

This wasn't as bad as last season's losses at home to Princeton or Ferris State, but the University of Denver's 2-1 loss to visiting RPI in the Pioneers' home opener Friday night hurt in a different way.

Engineers coach Seth Appert, a former assistant for DU until accepting the top job at RPI in April, registered his first career victory against his mentor, George Gwozdecky, before a sellout homecoming crowd of 6,112 at Magness Arena.

The Pioneers (2-3) outshot RPI 39-24 but blew a 1-0 lead and failed to convert on two 5-on-3 power plays, finishing 1-of-9 with the man advantage and falling to 5-of-40 for the season. RPI (1-0-1) got a 5-on-3 power-play goal from captain Kirk MacDonald to tie it at 1-1 midway through the second period, and Seth Klerer scored the winner 5:10 into the third period on a nifty wrist shot from the left circle.

Goalie Peter Mannino (0-2, 22 saves) took the loss for DU, which is 1-2 in nonconference play after splitting a two-game Western Collegiate Hockey Association series last weekend at St. Cloud State. RPI, which tied Boston University last week, is certainly headed in the right direction with Appert at the helm.

"We knew that RPI coming in was a very competitive team, playing with a lot of enthusiasm," Gwozdecky said. "Seth has done a wonderful job, and we're proud of him. However, any loss is a difficult loss to accept. It's homecoming, and we want to do well in front of our fans and hockey alumni, and to not to perform better and execute better is disappointing."

DU's offense is focused on its young forwards: freshmen Tyler Ruegsegger, Brock Trotter and Rhett Rakhshani, and sophomore Patrick Mullen. Trotter scored DU's goal and, along with the other youngsters, looked to have the potential for a productive career.

The Pioneers are getting little help from upperclassmen forwards - junior Geoff Paukovich and seniors Ryan Helgason, Mike Handza and Steven Cook remain pointless.

"There's no question, it's a concern," Gwozdecky said of the foursome's offensive struggles. "We need to be able to rely on more than just one line to create offense. We had some really terrific opportunities, but we have certain guys that are squeezing the stick hard, certain guys that aren't competing well in an offensive manner."

Sophomore defenseman T.J. Fast served a one-game suspension for academic reasons, and sophomore defenseman Chris Butler will be out of the lineup in Saturday's two-game series finale for the same infractions.
Ruegsegger Hot

(left) DU goalie Glenn Fisher, who improved to 3-1, makes a pad save on a shot by RPI's Jonathan Ornelas in the first period. (Photo: AP/David Zalubowski)
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From: Denver Post
By Mike Chambers

Fittingly, Tyler Ruegsegger saved homecoming for the University of Denver hockey team.

Ruegsegger, a freshman center from Lakewood, had a goal and an assist Saturday night at Magness Arena to lead the 11th-ranked Pioneers to a 5-1 victory and a two-game nonleague split with RPI.

DU senior goalie Glenn Fisher (21 saves) and freshman wing Brock Trotter (three assists) also had big games against the Engineers and rookie coach Seth Appert, the former DU assistant who registered his first career win Friday against his mentor, DU's George Gwozdecky.

Trotter and Ruegsegger assisted on Andrew Thomas' game-winning goal at 19:16 of the second period, giving DU a 2-1 lead. Ruegsegger scored 3:45 into the third on a wrist shot from the left circle, and Adrian Veideman (power play) and Steven Cook (empty net) added goals to turn a tight game into a rout.

Ruegsegger, 18, was celebrating a different kind of Denver homecoming Saturday before a crowd of 6,183, DU's 37th consecutive regular-season sellout. He is the first Colorado native to earn a scholarship at DU straight out of high school. He played four years at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Faribault, Minn., before joining the program he idolized while playing youth hockey in Littleton.

"It was a great experience; I obviously have a lot of family here," said Ruegsegger, whose seven points is second on the team behind Trotter (eight). "For the first weekend I had a wonderful time, and the team only got better."

Appert, whose team (1-1-1) limited DU (3-3) to three goals for five of the first six periods in the series, helped sign Ruegsegger and isn't surprised he's already one of DU's top players.

"Outside of this weekend I'm rooting for (DU) every game the rest of the year, and to see what some of their young kids are doing is impressive," Appert said. "What's so impressive about Tyler is his competitive spirit and the fact he's coming right out of prep-school hockey.

"His stick skill is very good and his skating has improved tremendously, and that's a testament to how hard he works and trains."

Another Appert signee, Fisher (3-1) is turning heads, too, and appears close to beating out junior Peter Mannino (0-2) for the No. 1 job.

"He has the hot hand right now," Gwozdecky said of Fisher, "and if things remain as they are, Glenn would probably get the start Friday night (at Minnesota-Duluth)."

5:30-7 PM Pregame @ Spanky's (LetsGoDU Season Kickoff Party)

7-10 PM DU Hockey vs. RPI

10-Midnight Postgame @ Border


Saturday

2 PM Homecoming Parade
(On University and Asbury/Free)
  • Begins at Wesley and University, continuing on University and up Asbury Ave.
4:30-7 PM Taste of DU (DU Fieldhouse)
  • Experience DU! Taste samples from restaurants owned by DU alumni as well as other local favorites.
7-10 PM DU Hockey vs. RPI

10-Midnight Postgame @ Border

DU Winger Out 12 Weeks

From: Rocky Mountain News
By Pat Rooney
October 18, 2006


University of Denver senior winger J.D. Corbin will undergo surgery today to repair a broken right fibula he suffered in hockey practice Monday.

Corbin, who also suffered ligament damage in his ankle, is one of the Pioneers' alternate captains and shared the team lead with three assists through DU's first four games.

The fracture is similar to the one suffered by former Pioneers winger Connor James at the end of the 2004 regular season. James, though, did not suffer the ligament damage that Corbin did and was able to return a month later to contribute to the Pioneers' march to the national championship.

The best-case scenario has Corbin returning in mid- to late-January, although he could be sidelined longer if his ankle is slow to respond to rehabilitation.

At the very least, Corbin will miss key Western Collegiate Hockey Association series against Minnesota Duluth, Colorado College and Minnesota, as well as two series against defending national champion Wisconsin.

A native of Littleton whose draft rights are held by the Avalanche, Corbin was expected to blossom as one of DU's most consistent contributors after producing eight of his career-best 20 points last season during the final six games.

It is the second major injury Corbin has suffered in his career. He missed the 2005 Frozen Four in Columbus, Ohio, after suffering a broken collarbone during practice before the national semifinals.
DU's Corbin Having Ankle Surgery Today


From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers


University of Denver hockey player J.D. Corbin is scheduled to undergo surgery today to repair ligaments in his right ankle. Corbin, a senior wing from Littleton, also fractured his right fibula in a collision with the end boards during practice on Monday. Corbin, a NHL draftee of the Avalanche, will be unavailable until "the second half of the season," DU spokesman Erich Bacher said.

NHL: Carle Off To Impressive Start

Matt Carle did not exactly arrive in San Jose as a routine rookie. The Hobey Baker Award winner as the college player of the year jumped straight from college to the NHL and with only 12 games, jumped into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. As a 12-game “veteran”, there were nights Sharks Head Coach Ron Wilson called Carle the best defenseman on the ice.

Just six games into his second campaign, Carle is showing that he is no flash in the pan. He’s registered six points in the early going on two goals and four assists, ranking second among NHL blueliners in points. His +5 plus/minus rating is also second among all NHL rearguards. Rest of Article
Ritchie Steps Down As Chair Of DU

Board of Trustees chairman ends 23 years serving DU

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From: DU Clarion Student Newspaper Kathryn Mayer

Daniel L. Ritchie, chair of the University of Denver Board of Trustees, announced at the board's fall meeting Saturday that he was stepping down from his post as chair, a position he has served since July 1, 2005.

Previous to being chair, Ritchie served as chancellor of DU for 16 years. Robert Coombe succeeded him last year.

"As a general principle, I believe it's best to move on once the transition period is successfully completed," Ritchie said in a statement. "We have reached that point, so now is the right time."

"As a general principle, I believe it's best to move on once the transition period is successfully completed," Ritchie said in a statement. "We have reached that point, so now is the right time."

"Generations of students are indebted to Dan Ritchie for his everlasting contributions, inspirational leadership and tremendous dedication to DU," said AUSA president Aaron Schwarzberg.

"We all owe Ritchie for making this school the special place it is today," he said. "He is truly an inspiration."

The board voted Joy Burns, vice chair of the board, to return as chair, as well as voted Ritchie an honorary life trustee.

"I will stay close to DU and continue to be a strong supporter - you can count on it," Ritchie said.

Burns served as chair from 1990 to 2005.

Ritchie became involved with DU in 1983, when he became a trustee. He became DU's 16th chancellor in 1989, where he set philanthropic records, initiated programs like the Marsico Initiative and moved DU athletics to Division I.

In June 1994, Ritchie announced a personal gift to the university of $15 million after selling some 19,600 acres of his ranch.

At the time, the gift set a philanthropy record in both Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region as the largest gift to education.

Later, he gave the university the remainder of the ranch, and its sale netted more than $50 million for various projects.

During his tenure, numerous new buildings were built: Olin Hall, Daniels College of Business, the Ritchie Center, the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, Sturm College of Law, Nelson Hall, the Chambers Center for the Women's College, the Fischer Learning Center, HRTM, University Technology Services , plus the renovation of Sturm Hall, new lacrosse and tennis facilities and three new garages.

Ritchie will become chairman and chief executive of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, one of the largest cultural complexes, in January 2007.

He also acts as president of the Temple Hoyne Bell foundation, chair of the education committee of the National Park System Advisory Board, and a member of the boards of the Daniels Fund and the Central City Opera Association.

Burns is the president of D.C. Burns Realty and Trust Co. and the owner, president and CEO of the Burnsley Hotel in downtown Denver.

She recently donated $3.5 million to create DU's Mark Lee Levine Chair in Real Estate and Construction Management at the Daniels College of Business' Franklin L. Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management.

The board of trustees appoints all senior administrators and approves tuition hikes.
Questions, Intrigue at Denver, RPI

(left) Coach Gwozdecky will look to take Seth Appert to the woodshed this weekend

From: College Hockey News
by Adam Wodon/Managing Editor

Thanks to a fortuitous scheduling arrangement, former Denver assistant coach Seth Appert will return to his old stomping grounds this weekend with his new team, Rensselaer. Of course, these things are scheduled years in advance, but it is some good fortune if you're a writer looking for storylines. Rest of Article
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Injuries might keep DU's Corbin out until March

(left) Senior Forward JD Corbin will have surgury on his leg according to Coach Gwozdecky

J.D. Corbin, a valuable senior forward for the University of Denver, broke his right leg and suffered ligament damage to his ankle Monday during practice. The Littleton native could miss the rest of the regular season.

Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky said doctors would determine today whether surgery is required. If so, Corbin likely won't be available until March. If surgery is not necessary, Gwozdecky said, he would be out four-to-six weeks.

Corbin, 21, has three assists in four games. Last weekend, he played on the No. 1 line with sophomore Patrick Mullen and junior Ryan Dingle.

"I know the fibula is broken, and there's some damage in the ankle," Corbin said. "It's terrible. My senior year, and I'm going to miss a good chunk of the year. It's something you don't ever want to go through. But at least I'll be available for the Frozen Four."

Seabrooks stick together

Another group of DU players planned to attend the Avs game Monday night at the Pepsi Center. But this time, it wasn't only to see former Pioneers star Paul Stastny, the Avs' rookie center.

DU freshman defenseman Keith Seabrook is the younger brother of Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook. Just three years separate the brothers from western Canada.

Brent is 21, Keith 18. Brent, who played major junior in Canada instead of U.S. college hockey, was a first-round selection (14th overall) of the Blackhawks in 2004. Keith's NHL rights are owned by the Washington Capitals, who chose him in the second round (52nd overall) in June.

"Definitely a Blackhawks fan tonight," Keith Seabrook said before DU's practice Monday. "It's awesome to have the chance to see him play here. It's always a good learning tool for me to see him play. We seem to have a lot of the same skills, but I can always use the good I take from him."

NHL: Carle May Be Final Piece Of Sharks Puzzle

(left) Former Pioneer Matt Carle is one of the brightest young stars in the NHL

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From: San Francisco Chronicle
Ross McKeon, Chronicle Staff Writer
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One minute, he's sliding down on the opposite side of the puck and setting up in front of the net on the power play. The next, he's back at the blue line, pinching along the boards to keep an opponent from chipping out of the zone or stretching his wingspan to its maximum to keep a puck alive.

In his own end, he angles a forward to the boards, applies a stick check and comes out with the puck. One step and bang, the outlet pass is on the stick of a teammate and out of harm's way.

In the span of one shift in a recent game, rookie Matt Carle demonstrated why the Sharks' franchise-long search for an elite, game-breaking defenseman finally might have come to an end.

Carle just might be that good.

"This franchise has really never had a defenseman who was able to do the things he can," coach Ron Wilson said.

Try as the Sharks have for years -- through the draft, trades or the free-agent market -- they simply have not found a cornerstone defenseman every team needs to win the Stanley Cup. Until maybe now, that is.

"It's all about reading situations and reading the play," Carle said of his impressive hockey sense. "The more I play, the more confident I am. The coaches are pretty good about letting me move up in the play."

Carle, a 6-foot, 205-pound slick skater with soft hands, vision and the knack to control play, burst on the scene late last season after turning pro with six points in his first 12 NHL games. Steady and not intimidated, too, in the postseason, Carle was trusted in all situations despite his inexperience and the fact he was only months removed from college hockey.

"His panic threshold is very low," Sharks assistant coach and former defenseman Rob Zettler said. "Matt has great offensive instincts, but what I look at, too, is how he and our guys are going to compete against other teams' top lines. We know we can count on him not only offensively but defensively, and that's a big step for him."

He has picked right up where he left off. Carle, who scored the team's first goal of the season, has two goals and three points in five games, is averaging 18:22 in ice time and quarterbacks the team's potent power play, which has clicked at 25 percent and has multi-power-play goals in four of its first five games.

Carle, who won last season's Hobey Baker Award as the best college player, is the top rookie scorer among defensemen in the NHL.

"If he continues to play the way he has, Rookie of the Year is definitely within his reach," defense partner Kyle McLaren said.

The Sharks' search for this type of player can be traced to almost each of their 16 drafts. Previous high-round picks have come and gone, including Sandis Ozolinsh, Mike Rathje, Brad Stuart, Andrei Zyuzin, Jeff Jillson and Vlastimil Kroupa.

Free-agent signees or players acquired in trades, including Gary Suter, Jeff Norton, Doug Bodger, Al Iafrate and even current general manager Doug Wilson, had their chances, but all were on the back sides of successful careers.

Suter came the closest of the experienced group to filling the role as an offensive threat from the blue line. Suter, who led the team in scoring among defensemen twice, scored 22 goals and 79 points from 1998 through 2002, modest numbers by any team's standards. Suter spent most of his earlier years with elite partners, including Al MacInnis in Calgary and Chris Chelios in Chicago.

In San Jose, Suter was paired often early with Stuart, the team's first-round pick taken third overall in 1998, and was as much as playing a mentor role as anything else. Stuart arrived in 1999-2000, and as a 19-year-old, led the Sharks in blue-line scoring with 36 points and was runner-up for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie.

Stuart endured injuries during his early offseasons and didn't seem to develop or progress to the point many projected. He was packaged with Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau to acquire Joe Thornton from Boston last season. Stuart became expendable because the Sharks had players with more potential coming.

Players such as Matt Carle.

"We've had guys who have tried, but it's been more like volume," Ron Wilson said. "He just seems to naturally seem to be in the right spots. With offensive-minded people who can find him, he can pile up some points."
Rink Rat Interviews Veideman
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Elliot Olshansky, who runs CSTV's Rink Rat Blog got an interview with Adrian Veideman in Oxford. Its a pretty humorous conversation with DU's hard working Captian. The Blog also details one of Gwoz's famous "Pep Talks."
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Elliot is a fan of LetsGoDU and we got a chance to catch up during the Ice Breaker Tournament.
A Young Man's Game
Appert brings energy to RPI


(left) Old Baby Blue Eyes returns to DU this weekend


From: Times-Union
By PETE IORIZZO, Staff writer
October 13, 2006


Troy, NY - As a rambunctious kindergartner, Seth Appert spent his early mornings on skates, gliding across the frozen channels of the Mississippi River that twisted behind his family's Minnesota home. Playing hockey with his brothers, he used an arrangement of six hay bales as a net and, in lieu of a goaltender, propped a motorcycle in the crease.

During summers, he pulled on his baseball jersey, concocted bases from whatever he found around the house, then danced across his makeshift diamond, playing imaginary innings against fantasyland opponents. In fall, a hand-held football game occupied him for hours, especially after he devised a complicated scoring system, then tried, over and over, to beat his top mark.

He was competitive. He was energetic. He was innovative beyond his years.

He was not much different from the 32-year-old man who will stand behind the bench Saturday night for his first regular-season game as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute men's hockey coach, a man whose stated mission is to restore this rigorous academic institution's only Division I athletic program to national prominence.

Even while shouldering such very adult pressure -- coaching a once-storied program that produced two national championships and several NHL stars -- Appert promises to pursue his goal with the vigor of a 5-year-old firing pucks at hay bales.

"To a lot of people, I might be too young," said Appert, his boyish face and baby blue eyes making every word ring truer. "People can think what they want to think. I know in my heart I was ready to take this step."

Those who know and coached with Appert agree, noting his credentials supersede those of most coaches his age: nine years as an assistant with Denver, where he won two national championships; a reputation as a top-notch goaltending coach who found, then developed, several future NHL players; a master recruiter whose eye for talent is matched only by his charm.

For RPI, the blend of youth and experience, savvy and energy played well, especially given the program's recent stagnation. Though reminders of national championships and past stars such as Joe Juneau and Adam Oates hang in Houston Field House in the form of banners, the program hardly resembles that which won a title in 1985. Last year under Dan Fridgen, a 12-year coach who won and lost more games than any in program history, the team finished 14-17-6 and fell in the first round of the Eastern College Athletic Conference Hockey League playoffs.

"I think we can have success here," Appert said. "It's going to take time for the players to get acclimated to how we want to play. Obviously it takes time over a four-year period to bring in the recruits that play the style we want. But I think with the young men we have in our program right now, we can have success, no question."

Some of this appears familiar to Appert. At age 23, he had just started as an assistant at Denver, which was coming off an 11-win season. Worse, because the school was in the process of building a new rink on campus, the team hopped from rink to rink for home games, making it difficult to recruit talented players capable of reversing the losing record.

Appert, though, found such a player.

Overlooked throughout high school and junior hockey, goaltender Adam Berkhoel caught Appert's attention a year before Berkhoel's breakout season in the United States Hockey League, the top junior league in America. By the time the rest of college hockey noticed, Berkhoel had committed to Denver. As a senior in 2004, he backstopped the Pioneers to their first national championship in 35 years.

"He's one of the many guys Seth identified that may not have been on anyone's radar screen," said George Gwozdecky, Denver's head coach. "To be able to maintain a strong recruiting class through all our trying times was really a testament to Seth."

Appert honed his eye for goaltending through experience. He played the position since age 8, taking to it for the same reasons he played running back in football and catcher in baseball -- the position afforded the greatest outlet for his energy and maximum control of the game, a necessity to satiate his competitive drive.

Appert, a charismatic, extroverted kid accustomed to being captain of his teams and president of classes, played goaltender true to his personality, flopping and diving for pucks while becoming known across the state for dashing to the blue line to intercept passes. Central Collegiate Hockey Association coaches still joke that he's the only goaltender in league history to receive and serve a 10-minute misconduct penalty.

Because of his unorthodox style, Appert knew his goaltending career would never continue far beyond Ferris State, where, in mostly a backup role, he never finished with a goals-against average below 4.29. In other words, he was a terrible goalie.

At 22 and unsure how he planned to make a living, he accepted a job as a volunteer assistant, first at Ferris, then at Denver. In his early years with the Pioneers, he worked 40 hours a week as a coach, took a full course load toward his master's degree and, to make money, worked at a hockey store, where his duties sometimes included stocking shelves after midnight.

"There are days when we wouldn't see him because he was so busy," said former Denver assistant coach and current Miami (Ohio) head coach Rico Blasi, who roomed with Appert in Denver. "But he always paid his rent on time."

In his nine years as a Denver assistant, Appert never applied for a head-coaching job. But, sensing an opportunity at RPI and wondering if he had any more left to accomplish at Denver, he decided to make his move.

Not knowing that RPI athletic director Ken Ralph already tabbed him as one of 12 candidates to replace Fridgen, Appert, in Rochester on a recruiting trip, called Ralph to set up a meeting and a tour of campus. Ralph agreed. They spent a day strolling campus, and at the end, Appert said, "Ken, I want this job."
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Appert instantly climbed Ralph's list. He was one of three candidates interviewed on a conference call with high-ranking RPI administrators. Again, at the end of the phone interview, Appert reiterated his earlier statement to Ralph. He said: "I want everyone to understand, and make no mistake about this, I want this job. This is the only job I applied for. I want this one."
Appert, it turned out, chose his words well.

"Him saying that was so important," Ralph said. "We didn't just want someone who wanted to be a head coach. We wanted someone who wanted to be the head coach at Rensselaer."

Still, Appert faced another obstacle. Former NHL coach Andy Murray remained in the candidate pool and showed considerable interest in the job. RPI offered Murray the job first, but he turned it down. Ralph turned to Appert next, though he said to call Appert a second choice would be "dramatically oversimplifying" the situation. Appert accepted, signing a four-year contract, then later said he understood why RPI first sought Murray.

Being the second call hardly tapered Appert's enthusiasm. Soon after he spoke to Ralph, he phoned his parents. He told his mother, as soon as she answered the phone, "Well, you're talking to the new head coach at RPI."

Appert, his wife of six years, Jill, and their 2-year-old daughter, Addison, live in a home the couple bought in Niskayuna. Jill and Addison sat in the Houston Field House stands last Saturday for RPI's exhibition against York, which was no bother for either, seeing as Jill, from a suburb of Detroit, grew up a die-hard hockey fan and Addison begs her parents for skates and a helmet, so she can learn to play. Until then, her favorite game with her father is horsey; he gallops across the floor on all fours as she rides his shoulders.

"He loves to throw her around, making all the women nervous with how high he throws her," Jill said. "He's very energetic, and that works well with 2-year-olds."

Appert is learning energy works well with 20-something hockey players, too. So far, players have embraced his intense, offense-first approach. He encourages risk-taking, movement and flow. In practice, he devises drills that thrust players into competition.

"Practices are super-intense," captain Kirk MacDonald said after RPI's exhibition game, a 5-1 win. "It makes the game seem easy."

Players say Appert is detail-oriented, too. He spent the summer reviewing film of every RPI game from last season, then met with players to offer constructive criticism. He demands precise execution in practice, and without it, players say he screams and shouts more than his demeanor suggests.

"He's a guy who, when he comes in, you just feel the energy coming off him," goaltender Mathias Lange said. "He's standing in the middle of the locker room with all that energy, and you just want to go out on the ice and bring some of it out there."

After the exhibition game, Appert deflected a question about coaching for the first time at RPI, saying it held no personal meaning for him, because, he said, "It's about the 26 guys in that locker room, not just me."

It was a wise answer from a man whose ear-to-ear smile never made him look so young.
Appert Returns To DU

(left) Former DU Assistant Seth Appert returns to DU as the head honcho of RPI

FROM: Rocky Mountian News

by Pat Rooney
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University of Denver hockey coach George Gwozdecky took a beating at the hands of one of his former proteges, Miami (Ohio) coach Rico Blasi, less than two weeks ago.

This week, Gwozdecky again will match wits against one of his former assistants, Seth Appert of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

RPI visits Magness Arena on Friday and Saturday for the Pioneers' first home series of the season. Appert was an assistant under Gwozdecky from 1997 until he took the RPI job in April.

Gwozdecky's record dropped to 2-1 against Blasi when the Pioneers opened the season with a 5-2 loss against the Redhawks.

"One thing you know is there is nothing that's going to be left to chance for their teams," Gwozdecky said. "They are very thorough. They are very organized. They put in their time. They've analyzed us, and we've tried to do the same to them. You know they are going to be ready to go, and when that puck drops you're not competing against a friend. You're competing against those guys in another jersey."

Appert was a key recruiter for the DU teams that won consecutive national championships in 2004 and 2005. A respected mentor of -goaltenders, Appert guided former DU goaltender Wade Dubielewicz, who earned All-American honors, and Adam Berkhoel and Peter Mannino, who won Most Outstanding Player awards at the Frozen Four in 2004 and 2005, respectively.

Appert enjoyed an impressive debut Saturday, as his Engineers raced to a 3-1 lead before settling for a 4-4 draw against Boston University, which is ranked third in one national poll.

"I understand that he is implementing a very high-octane offensive system," said Gwozdecky, who still talks with Appert about once a week. "It is going to be interesting to see how they execute it and how we're going to defend against it. It's not easy to defend a truly offensive attack, especially when they are being taught that kind of philosophy."

HOT STARTS: The Pioneers earned a split of their opening Western Collegiate Hockey Association series against St. Cloud over the weekend, and through four games, DU boasts four players who are averaging at least a point a game.

Freshman center Tyler Ruegsegger leads the Pioneers with five points on two goals and three assists, while sophomore Patrick Mullen has scored a team-leading three goals to go with one assist. Ryan Dingle has two goals and two assists and redshirt freshman Brock Trotter, who missed most of last season because of a torn Achilles' tendon, has a goal and three assists.
Second Period Lapses Cost Pioneers

(left) Huskies players on the bench congratulate Andreas Nodl after scoring the game winning goal

From: The Denver Post
By Tom Fenton

St. Cloud, Minn. - This much was obvious after the University of Denver's performance Saturday night: The Pioneers have potentially electrifying offensive talent, but they are a work in progress.

Playing in a building where they had not lost since 2002, Denver looked good early before crumbling in a six-minute span of the second period. The result was a 5-2 loss to St. Cloud State in front of an announced crowd of 6,011 at National Hockey Center. The win gave the host Huskies (1-1-0 WCHA, 1-1-0 overall) a split of the weekend series.

The Pioneers (1-1-0, 2-2-0) needed a Patrick Mullen overtime goal to win 4-3 in Friday's conference opener for both teams.

"They're a good team," said Denver junior center Ryan Dingle, whose goal 11:24 into the first period gave the Pioneers a 2-1 lead. "The atmosphere here was crazy. Obviously, they had some energy in the building on their side. But we need to take this weekend as a learning experience and bring it back home. Hopefully, we'll be ready."

A series of defensive lapses in the second period proved costly for DU. A missed pass here and a missed assignment there contributed to St. Cloud State scoring three times in a span of 5:13.

"Two points is definitely good, but we would've liked to have taken four, especially after Friday night," said wing Brock Trotter, who played on an all-freshman first line with Tyler Ruegsegger and Rhett Rakhshani. "But they played really well. It was a tough battle the entire weekend, but we'll definitely take the split."

Denver outshot St. Cloud State 33-20, but goals by Ryan Lasch, Andreas Nodl and John Swanson turned a 2-1 Huskies' deficit into a 4-2 lead.

"We had a couple of defensive miscues in the neutral zone where our defensemen misplayed the situation and they came down and made great shots and scored," DU coach George Gwozdecky said. "They did a great job of being opportunistic - kind of like we were Friday night."

Swanson's goal at 13:21 of the second period earned Pioneers goalie Glenn Fisher - Friday night's winner - an early trip to the bench after giving up four goals on 11 shots. Saturday marked the first time Fisher had started consecutive games in the same weekend in his career.

"It was just mental errors and positioning," Dingle said. "That's one thing that's going to be a little iffy early in the season. As long as we tighten that up, we've got no worries. We have all the offensive talent in the world, and we just need to harness that and take care of defensive zone."

St. Cloud senior goalie Bobby Goepfert showed the form he displayed in earning first-team all-WCHA honors last season, shutting down DU's offense the final two periods and finishing with 31 saves.

DU's goals came in a span of 2:26 in the first period on bang-bang passing plays that were converted by Ruegsegger and Dingle.

"In many ways we had a much stronger performance (than Friday)," Gwozdecky said. "But I thought the difference was Bobby Goepfert. He performed like he was capable of and there were a couple times where our guys couldn't believe the puck didn't go in.

"We're a little disappointed with the result, but coming on the road and getting a split - that's a good weekend. I like the team we're slowly developing into."
St. Cloud Earns Split With 5-2 Win

Gordon (SCSU) 5 on 4 (Nodl, Dey)
Ruegsegger (DU) (Trotter, Testwuide)
Dingle (DU) (Viedeman, Mullen)
Lasch (SCSU) (Swanson)
Nodl (SCSU) (Dey, Gordon) GWG
Swanson (SCSU)
Radun (SCSU) (Stephenson)
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From: DU Athletics Website

ST. CLOUD, Minn. - St. Cloud State University tallied three second period goals en route to a 5-2 win over the Denver Pioneers.
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"We are not happy with tonight's result, but in many ways we played better than we did last night," DU head coach George Gwozdecky said. "We had a couple of defensive miscues in the second period that we'd like to have back, but that's the WCHA. We still came out of here (St. Cloud State) with two important league points."
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Fisher made back-to-back starts in the same weekend series for the first time in his career. He had a good start with seven saves in the first period, but SCSU netted three goals in the second to end his weekend. Fisher (seven saves) stopped a career-high 47 shots in last night's 4-3 overtime win.
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Denver Line Up
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Offense
Patrick Mullen - Ryan Dingle - J.D. Corbin
Brock Trotter - Tyler Ruegsegger - Rhett Rakhshani
Brian Gifford - Geoff Paukovich - Ryan Helgason
Steven Cook - Michael Handza
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Defense
Adrian Veideman - Chris Butler
T.J. Fast - Andrew Thomas
J.P. Testwuide - Keith Seabrook
Cody Brookwell
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Goaltender
Glenn Fisher/Peter Mannino
Mullen's OT Goal Saves Pioneers

(left) Fisher: "Its nice to come down to Minnesota for the air."


From: Rocky Mountain News
By Jess Myers
October 14, 2006


ST. CLOUD, Minn. - Hockey coaches spend countless hours devising complicated offensive schemes designed to ensure the puck ends up in the opponent's net.

And some nights, the most meticulous plans are thrown out the window when a hot goaltender is on his game.

University of Denver goalie Glenn Fisher spoiled most of St. Cloud State's offensive intentions Friday, recording a career-best 47 saves as the Pioneers survived with a 4-3 overtime win.

Patrick Mullen's third goal of the season, a blistering shot from the top of the right circle, was the game-winner for the Pioneers (2-1 overall, 1-0) in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association opener for both teams.

"I kind of buried my head and let it rip," said Mullen, who has the winner in both DU victories this season. "I don't know if we played our best game in front of Glenn. Clearing rebounds was a major issue (Friday)."

The Pioneers quieted the raucous St. Cloud crowd in the opening period, getting goals from freshmen Brock Trotter and Tyler Ruegsegger to lead 2-0.

The advantage came despite the Huskies forging a 17-8 edge in first-period shots, putting the pressure on Fisher right from the start.

"It's nice to come down to Minnesota for the air," Fisher joked afterward about playing games at a lower altitude. "I think it was part of their game plan, coming out after us and shooting from everywhere. They just wanted to get everything on net."

DU opened a 3-0 lead in the second period when defenseman Andrew Thomas banked a shot off the leg of Huskies goaltender Bobby Goepfert, who finished with 19 saves.

Coupled with the assist he had on Ruegsegger's goal, it marked the first multipoint game of Thomas' career.

"We made too many key mistakes, but we did battle back a little bit," Huskies coach Bob Motzko said. "You want to come out in your first game and be so much better. I know we threw a lot of shots up there, but we were off (Friday). You could just tell."

The Huskies (0-1, 0-1) began their comeback almost immediately, finally solving Fisher just 24 seconds after Thomas' goal when Andrew Gordon's low shot beat the goalie on the glove side.

Late in the second, the Huskies got a two-man advantage for a full 2 minutes thanks to a pair of Pioneers penalties, converting for the goal.

John Swanson swatted in a loose puck that slid just beyond Fisher's left skate.

"We took some dumb penalties and put ourselves in a bind," Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky said. "But once they got back in the game, we did a good job of balancing the ice surface and making it level again."

The Huskies knotted the score at 3-3 in the third period on another extended power play.

This time the home team had 1:48 of a five-on-three advantage after Geoff Paukovich departed for slashing and Ruegsegger was tossed from the game for checking a St. Cloud State player from behind. Andreas Nodl tipped a Justin Fletcher shot past Fisher, which sent the game into overtime.

The Pioneers had a power play in the extra session but failed to get a shot on goal, only to convert once the game was back to even strength.

"I'm pleased with the win, but there's a ton of room for improvement," Gwozdecky said. "I keep seeing glimpses of the team we could be and want to be, but they're few and far between."

CC Chokes Against UNO; Loses Shootout

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- University of Nebraska-Omaha Freshman JJ Koehler's first collegiate goal with less than four minutes left gave UNO a tie with Colorado College Friday night in the first round of the Nye Frontier Classic. The Mavericks advanced in the tournament by winning a shootout over the Tigers and will meet Alaska-Anchorage on Saturday.

Colorado College will continue its "Cupcake Tour Across America" by taking on Merrimack on Saturday Night.

Sieve-o-meter

Bobby Grapefruit has given up 18 goals in the past four games