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From: Rocky Mountain Newsby Pat Rooney
University of Denver hockey coach George Gwozdecky cringed and smirked somewhat when he used a certain metaphor to describe the team at the Air Force Academy.
While referring to last season's Falcons squad, which stormed through the Atlantic Hockey Association playoffs and nearly toppled top-seeded Minnesota in the first round of the West Regional at the Pepsi Center, Gwozdecky said Air Force might have flown "a bit under the radar."
The pun certainly was not intended, but more important to Gwozdecky and the Pioneers is the admission the Falcons are firmly entrenched on every opponent's radar.
Air Force, which again leads the midmajor AHA, gets its annual shot at the Front Range's traditional hockey powers this weekend when it hosts No. 4 DU tonight and visits No. 3 Colorado College on Saturday night.
"Air Force is in an even better position this year than last year," Gwozdecky said. "This year, they have been a model of consistency, the best team in their league. I don't think they are catching anybody by surprise. They may have the best team they've had in many years."
The Falcons have played well enough to ascend to the top of the AHA, but most observers agree the team has yet to consistently put together its best hockey.
Air Force has recorded a single series sweep since October and still is readjusting to the return of forward Mike Phillipich.
He posted 44 points last season, relieving some of the scoring burden from Hobey Baker Award finalist Eric Ehn, but missed 12 games because of an early knee injury before returning for the past six games.
Ehn is not quite scoring at the torrid pace he set last season, but the senior still is tied for fifth in the nation with 18 assists.
"We know they're a good team, and they're a team that prides themselves on their work ethic," Pioneers defenseman Chris Butler said. "You know they never are going to take a shift off. We have to play that same way, not only this game, but every game the rest of the season."
While referring to last season's Falcons squad, which stormed through the Atlantic Hockey Association playoffs and nearly toppled top-seeded Minnesota in the first round of the West Regional at the Pepsi Center, Gwozdecky said Air Force might have flown "a bit under the radar."
The pun certainly was not intended, but more important to Gwozdecky and the Pioneers is the admission the Falcons are firmly entrenched on every opponent's radar.
Air Force, which again leads the midmajor AHA, gets its annual shot at the Front Range's traditional hockey powers this weekend when it hosts No. 4 DU tonight and visits No. 3 Colorado College on Saturday night.
"Air Force is in an even better position this year than last year," Gwozdecky said. "This year, they have been a model of consistency, the best team in their league. I don't think they are catching anybody by surprise. They may have the best team they've had in many years."
The Falcons have played well enough to ascend to the top of the AHA, but most observers agree the team has yet to consistently put together its best hockey.
Air Force has recorded a single series sweep since October and still is readjusting to the return of forward Mike Phillipich.
He posted 44 points last season, relieving some of the scoring burden from Hobey Baker Award finalist Eric Ehn, but missed 12 games because of an early knee injury before returning for the past six games.
Ehn is not quite scoring at the torrid pace he set last season, but the senior still is tied for fifth in the nation with 18 assists.
"We know they're a good team, and they're a team that prides themselves on their work ethic," Pioneers defenseman Chris Butler said. "You know they never are going to take a shift off. We have to play that same way, not only this game, but every game the rest of the season."
3 comments:
And they should have respect... they may not have allot of big talent but they play with allot of heart and as a team. Your not careful they will take you down.
No doubt the Falcons have the attention of Gwoz. Air Force plays as hard as anyone in the nation. The Pios had better be ready.
4-1 Air Force after 2 periods. LOL
Guess DU took the Fly Boys too lately.....the DU goalie (Pannino? Pannini? is a Hobie Baker candidate??? not after tonight).
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