(above) Kyle Turris scores on Peter Mannino on Saturday nightFrom: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers
by Mike Chambers
Like pitchers in baseball, goalies are bound to have rough outings.
Peter Mannino had his Saturday night, exiled to the bench long before the University of Denver had its seven-game winning streak snapped by the Wisconsin Badgers.
Mannino, who had started every game for the No. 2-ranked Pioneers and was among the NCAA's top statistical leaders, allowed five goals on 22 shots in Wisconsin's 7-2 series-splitting victory at Magness Arena.
The Badgers, robbed by what would have been the game-tying goal at the buzzer in Friday's 3-2 loss to DU, rallied from a 1-0 deficit by scoring five unanswered goals to chase Mannino.
Freshman center Kyle Turris, who went No. 3 overall in the recent NHL draft to the Phoenix Coyotes, paced Wisconsin with two goals — one on Mannino and one on freshman backup Marc Cheverie.
"We got to move on," said Mannino, who spearheads what was the country's No. 2-rated defense. "There's a new game waiting for you the next weekend. That's what we're doing. We're a little disappointed, but we're moving on."
Mannino and the Pioneers fell to 17-5 and 12-4 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The feisty Badgers, who had lost three straight — including Friday after referee Randy Schmidt and a malfunctioning video replay made the wrong call — are 9-10-3, 5-8-1.
The WCHA announced before the game that Matt Ford's late goal Friday got past Mannino before time expired.
The Pioneers seemingly paid for the error Saturday, because Wisconsin's second goal stood up despite it being obvious Podge Turnbull's tap-in goal off a loose puck came after a whistle was blown for Mannino smothering the puck.
DU coach George Gwozdecky heard the whistle, but he said his team didn't deserve to win, anyway.
"This might have been the best thing to happen to us. We weren't good enough," Gwozdecky said. "I'm stating the obvious. I think there are times in a season, especially for the kind of inexperienced, youthful team that we have, you need to get an awakening call or what have you, to realize that, hey, we're going to get everyone's 'A' game.
"We put ourselves in position to be one of the teams to beat. . . . We're one of the top teams in the country. We have to now adjust our preparation, and our emotional level . . . and how we respond to these challenges."
Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves loved how his team responded after being denied the opportunity to go into overtime Friday. The Badgers' seven combined goals on Mannino in the series tied the most the senior had allowed this season.
"He's a very fine goaltender and, you know, in the realm of a season he's going to have moments like that," Eaves said. "He's still a very good goaltender. To score five on him is what we needed."
Peter Mannino had his Saturday night, exiled to the bench long before the University of Denver had its seven-game winning streak snapped by the Wisconsin Badgers.
Mannino, who had started every game for the No. 2-ranked Pioneers and was among the NCAA's top statistical leaders, allowed five goals on 22 shots in Wisconsin's 7-2 series-splitting victory at Magness Arena.
The Badgers, robbed by what would have been the game-tying goal at the buzzer in Friday's 3-2 loss to DU, rallied from a 1-0 deficit by scoring five unanswered goals to chase Mannino.
Freshman center Kyle Turris, who went No. 3 overall in the recent NHL draft to the Phoenix Coyotes, paced Wisconsin with two goals — one on Mannino and one on freshman backup Marc Cheverie.
"We got to move on," said Mannino, who spearheads what was the country's No. 2-rated defense. "There's a new game waiting for you the next weekend. That's what we're doing. We're a little disappointed, but we're moving on."
Mannino and the Pioneers fell to 17-5 and 12-4 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The feisty Badgers, who had lost three straight — including Friday after referee Randy Schmidt and a malfunctioning video replay made the wrong call — are 9-10-3, 5-8-1.
The WCHA announced before the game that Matt Ford's late goal Friday got past Mannino before time expired.
The Pioneers seemingly paid for the error Saturday, because Wisconsin's second goal stood up despite it being obvious Podge Turnbull's tap-in goal off a loose puck came after a whistle was blown for Mannino smothering the puck.
DU coach George Gwozdecky heard the whistle, but he said his team didn't deserve to win, anyway.
"This might have been the best thing to happen to us. We weren't good enough," Gwozdecky said. "I'm stating the obvious. I think there are times in a season, especially for the kind of inexperienced, youthful team that we have, you need to get an awakening call or what have you, to realize that, hey, we're going to get everyone's 'A' game.
"We put ourselves in position to be one of the teams to beat. . . . We're one of the top teams in the country. We have to now adjust our preparation, and our emotional level . . . and how we respond to these challenges."
Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves loved how his team responded after being denied the opportunity to go into overtime Friday. The Badgers' seven combined goals on Mannino in the series tied the most the senior had allowed this season.
"He's a very fine goaltender and, you know, in the realm of a season he's going to have moments like that," Eaves said. "He's still a very good goaltender. To score five on him is what we needed."
4 comments:
Seems like when I cannot make it to the games DU seems to lose badly.
Anyways, sounds like both sides got screwed by the refs this weekend... a friend of mine told me that the back stage security was highly at work making sure the refs got out of Magness because, both DU and Wes. fans were looking to take their heads.
DU's got to bounce back though! I don't want to see the same crap we've seen over the past two seasons, only to miss the NCAA tournament.
Definitely a bizarre weekend of hockey. A few thoughts:
1. Whatever system flaws there are with the replay, clock, still frames etc. the WCHA needs to get those corrected, now! Friday's episode was a joke.....completely embarrassing.
2. Schmidt needs to find another hobby on the weekends. He's lost all of his credibility as an official.
3. While last night's game is probably best forgotten, hopefully it serves as a good learning experience, especially for all of the younger players. DU has two very winnable games next weekend and then should be well positioned for the stretch run in the WCHA.
Let's remember, if Ruegsegger buries the empty netter in the offensive zone, or Butler doesn't ice the puck - instead just chip it out of the defensive zone - or perhaps Schmidt doesn't blow the other icing (the puck went through the crease before hitting the side of the net, which negates the icing, but because of the blown call the faceoff goes to center ice), the Badgers' third goal wouldn't have mattered. -- MC
I have to disagree with MC on his assessment that PM had a rough night between the pipes. It was the defense that sucked! There were blown coverages all night long. One at least two goals Mannino was the only PIO standing. I too am nervous about the young team being able to make it through Feb with it's record intact. Lots of people will be gunning for them
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