(above) Chris Butler gives Jack Hillen "the business" last seasonFrom: Rocky Mountain News
by Pat Rooney
DU Fun Fact Of The Day
Longest DU winning streak: 22 straight gammes, Feb. 20, 1959, through Feb. 8, 1963. The Pioneers won the national championship in 1960, '61 and '63.
They said it:
CC senior forward Scott Thauwald: "I've been fortunate to be here five years, and I can't even tell you how many times I've played them. The biggest game that sticks out is losing to them in the (2005) Frozen Four. That was a tough moment. Ever since then, we've had a huge drive to beat them. I remember last year, the first time when we played them, we swept them, and that was huge. Hopefully, we can keep it rolling this season. It's always the most fun matchup of the year, and it's great in both cities."
DU sophomore forward and Lakewood native Tyler Ruegsegger: "It's a great series. I remember the rivalry from when I was growing up. It's definitely an experience, playing in it. I grew up a Denver fan. It was always fun to be in the stands for those games and cheer on the Pioneers."
Indoctrination
It took until the middle of his second season at DU for George Gwozdecky to understand what the DU-CC rivalry is all about.
On Dec. 28, 1995, DU hosted the top-ranked Tigers in the final of the Denver Cup at McNichols Sports Arena, recording a 3-2 victory before 16,061 spectators. Until the West Regional was played at the Pepsi Center last spring, that was the largest crowd ever to watch a college hockey game in Colorado.
Afterward, an emotionally spent Gwozdecky finally realized he was part of one of the greatest rivalries in college hockey.
"The crowd was electric, and both teams played really, really well," Gwozdecky said. "After I got home, all I could say was, 'Whoa.' It was an amazing atmosphere, and that night really tuned me in to the competitiveness between the two programs."
Gold Pan
Former CC coach Don Lucia (now with Minnesota) and former DU coach Frank Serratore (now at Air Force) conspired before the 1993-94 season to add luster to the Front Range rivalry by introducing the Gold Pan, an authentic mining tool that would serve as the traveling trophy for the victor of the regular-season series each year.
The trophy, which has to be won outright from the team in possession of it, was in DU's hands for three seasons before the Tigers snatched it by going 3-0-1 against the Pioneers last season. The original Gold Pan was lost by the Pioneers after their national title in 2004, but a replacement was unveiled last season.
"The NCAA is the No. 1 (goal)," DU goalie Peter Mannino said. "But getting the Gold Pan back is right there."
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