DU's Sophmores Look To Return The Favor

(left) DU's Rhett Rakhshani figures to play a role in the outcome of the series this weekend in Magness Arena

From: Grand Forks Herald
by Brad Schlossman

Last season, a trio of UND sophomore forwards made things miserable for the Denver Pioneers.

T.J. Oshie, Ryan Duncan and Jonathan Toews scored five of six goals and combined for 13 points during the only series between the teams. Their performances prompted Denver coach George Gwozdecky to say that the only way to slow them down would be to throw sand on the ice.

This weekend, the teams meet for the first time since that late-February series. This time, Denver will have the trio of standout sophomore forwards.

Brock Trotter, Tyler Ruegsegger and Rhett Rakhshani all are averaging more than a point per game for Denver, which is ranked third nationally with a 9-3 mark (6-2 Western Collegiate Hockey Association).

As rookies, they were three of the team's top four scorers. This season, they still occupy those spots on the scoresheet and they are actually scoring at a slightly higher rate than Oshie, Duncan and Toews at similar points in their careers.

"I sure hope they turn out like those guys," Gwozdecky said his sophomores. "That would be awesome."

The success of Trotter, Ruegsegger and Rakhshani was one of the few things Gwozdecky could count on this season. The coach brought 13 freshmen onto campus this fall the most in his 14-year tenure at Denver. A lot of question marks came with them.

"Back in August, I had no idea as to what our strengths would be or what our weaknesses would be," Gwozdecky said. "This is the one team I've had here that I really didn't have a handle on at all before the season started.

"One constant we had is Peter Mannino back in goal. We knew that he was going to be one of our keys if we were going to be successful."

Iron men in nets

Mannino, who beat the Sioux for the national championship as a freshman, has indeed been the guy for the Pioneers.

After platooning with Glenn Fisher for three seasons, Mannino has played every minute to this point in the season for his team. The only other goaltender to do that in the league is UND's Jean-Philippe Lamoureux.

The similarities between the two goaltenders don't stop there. They are both seniors and have almost identical stat lines.

Mannino's .935 save percentage is near the top in the country and Lamoureux's .933 is right behind. Lamoureux's 1.61 goals-against average is best among WCHA goalies and Mannino's 1.68 mark is close behind.

"Peter has been very good for us, no question," Gwozdecky said. "I can't think of one game where he hasn't given us a chance. From Day One to now, he's been our most consistent player."

UND's firepower worries Gwozdecky

Toews left UND in the spring for the NHL, breaking up the dynamic top line that gave fits to the Pioneers last season. But Gwozdecky said the Sioux still worry him. . . . and it's not only Oshie and Duncan.

"No other team in the country has the talent that North Dakota has," Gwozdecky said. "They have firepower, talented defensemen and good goaltending. When you look at their lineup, it's pretty darn intimidating. It doesn't matter what line you're looking at or whether its freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors.

"They also play a style that's very difficult to play against a very aggressive, physical style that's always been a sign of the Fighting Sioux."

"Knowing those factors, it's a very daunting task to play against them. If you have any kind of success scoring a goal, staying even with them for a period, it's a feather in any opponent's cap. Teams that have had success against them this year have to feel pretty good about it."