From: Rocky Mountain Newsby Patrick Mullen
(left) Patrick Mullen
Giving freshman goaltender Marc Cheverie the first start of his career Saturday was not the only significant shift in the University of Denver's lineup during its victory against Bemidji State.
Junior Patrick Mullen was moved to forward and senior Zach Blom assumed Mullen's spot among the defensive corps.
Mullen spent his first two seasons at forward but mostly has served as a defenseman this season. He played forward in the Pioneers' two Denver Cup victories at the end of December while Rhett Rakhshani and Tyler
Ruegsegger were competing in the World Junior championships, but Saturday marked the first time Mullen has played forward this season when manpower was not an issue.
Mullen's presence up front adds a dose of experience to a youthful offense with freshmen still prone to rookie mistakes. Coach George Gwozdecky said the steady Blom, who received his first start this season Friday, "did nothing over the last two games to take himself out of the lineup," and indicated the switch might remain in place when DU returns from a bye at Minnesota State Mankato on Feb. 1.
"Patrick Mullen really enjoys playing forward," Gwozdecky said. "He knows now that he can play both positions with confidence . . . but he enjoys playing forward. He enjoys moving up the ice and being involved in plays."
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