LetsGoDU

DU Looks To Regroup During Bye Week

From: Rockey Mountain News
by Pat Rooney

It is time to regroup.

The University of Denver hockey team has staggered into its final bye of the season with only two wins in its past seven games.

After a six-week stretch in which DU played five teams currently ranked in the top 10 of the critical PairWise rankings, the break will be a timely one for the Pioneers. And, once the layoff is over, they still will be largely in control of their own destiny for home ice in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and a berth in the NCAA tournament.

"The way our coaches run our weekly scheduling . . . they've cut back on our practices a little bit and have given us a little more rest," DU freshman Rhett Rakhshani said. "Also, the way we trained in preseason and how we've trained in-season, all those are factors that build up your strength. I think we're feeling pretty good right now."

DU (20-11-3, 12-9-3 WCHA) remains in a tie for sixth in the PairWise despite suffering a loss Friday and a tie Saturday at Michigan Tech.

The Pioneers, though, can hold their third-place standing in the WCHA and essentially secure a spot in the West Regional at the Pepsi Center with a strong showing in their final two regular-season series.

The Pioneers will host North Dakota, which is ranked eighth in the PairWise, on Feb. 23 and 24 before closing the regular season with a home-and-home set against Colorado College.

"It's great to have a break," DU assistant coach Steve Miller said. "I think the break comes at a great time for us to rest, heal up and get re-energized for the remainder of the season."

SLUMPING: After the break, the Pioneers will need a return to form by their two goaltenders, senior Glenn Fisher and junior Peter Mannino, in order to maintain their postseason position.

Mannino was rewarded for his stronger play of late with consecutive starts against Michigan Tech, but he surrendered five goals on 39 shots before getting pulled in the second period of the game Saturday.

Fisher earned a 1-0 shutout win at then-No. 1 Minnesota on Jan. 19, but he has lost his three starts since, allowing 13 goals on 82 shots in those contests.