(above) Peter Mannino has DU's "back" down the stretchPhoto Credit: svictoria29
From: Rocky Mountain News
by Pat Rooney
While collecting the two wins was crucial, the fact that University of Denver goaltender Peter Mannino seems to have regained his swagger at home ultimately might be more critical to the Pioneers' postseason aspirations.
Against Alaska-Anchorage, Mannino moved into a fourth- place tie on DU's all-time wins list, posting his 57th and 58th victories. And he is unbeaten in his past four games at Magness Arena, erasing some of the sting of a midseason slide that dropped the senior from early Hobey Baker Award consideration.
"We've all been through some things and we hit a tough patch at the halfway point," Mannino said. "The team played well in front of me, and when they play well, it's an easy game. We're comfortable at home."
That bodes well for a team that clinched home ice for the first round of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs, but it might not bode so well later this week when DU travels to Michigan Tech.
The Pioneers surrendered at least four goals in four of the five games it has dropped in its current road losing streak, yet turning things around against the Huskies would provide the Pioneers with a little more comfort in the NCAA tournament picture heading into the home-and-home series against Colorado College that closes the regular season.
"He still came up with a couple of beauties both nights but both nights we were able to get a lead for him going into the third period," Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky said. "For any goaltender, that is huge. For Peter . . . I don't think there's any better money goaltender than Peter."
Against Alaska-Anchorage, Mannino moved into a fourth- place tie on DU's all-time wins list, posting his 57th and 58th victories. And he is unbeaten in his past four games at Magness Arena, erasing some of the sting of a midseason slide that dropped the senior from early Hobey Baker Award consideration.
"We've all been through some things and we hit a tough patch at the halfway point," Mannino said. "The team played well in front of me, and when they play well, it's an easy game. We're comfortable at home."
That bodes well for a team that clinched home ice for the first round of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs, but it might not bode so well later this week when DU travels to Michigan Tech.
The Pioneers surrendered at least four goals in four of the five games it has dropped in its current road losing streak, yet turning things around against the Huskies would provide the Pioneers with a little more comfort in the NCAA tournament picture heading into the home-and-home series against Colorado College that closes the regular season.
"He still came up with a couple of beauties both nights but both nights we were able to get a lead for him going into the third period," Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky said. "For any goaltender, that is huge. For Peter . . . I don't think there's any better money goaltender than Peter."
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