Denver left winger Matt Glasser (17) celebrates his goal against Minnesota goaltender Alex Kangas (33) during the first period of an NCAA hockey game, SaturdayPhoto Credit: Jack Dempsey, Associated Press
From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers
A sigh of relief was met with renewed enthusiasm Saturday night at Magness Arena, where the University of Denver hockey team emerged from a dark cloud in impressive fashion.
Throw away those heart-rate monitors, but hang tight to the Frozen Four tickets.
The Pioneers, who entered the weekend having lost four of their previous five games and who were without the services of two of their top scorers, produced arguably their most complete game of the season in a 4-1 triumph over the stingy but offensively challenged Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Minus leading scorer Brock Trotter, who on Thursday signed with the Montreal Canadiens, and No. 3 scorer Tyler Ruegsegger (abdominal injury), DU overwhelmed the gritty Gophers — who had not allowed more than two goals in six of their past seven games.
"I am extremely proud of our team, this group of young men that have paddled through three-plus weeks of distractions, starting with the Brock Trotter issue, and then with Tyler Ruegsegger going out of the lineup," DU coach George Gwozdecky said. "I'm just very proud of their effort, and how our captains kept the group together."
Gwozdecky could sense that his squad's slump was ending Friday, when the Pioneers played to a 1-1 overtime tie in the opener of the two-game Western Collegiate Hockey Association series. After Saturday, he's convinced that it's over and the off-ice adversity has made them stronger. And he's not alone.
"Injuries and losing players for whatever reason happens," DU senior goalie Peter Mannino said. "That's hockey. To overcome adversity shows a lot of character. That's what we have. I think we're back on track."
Denver now heads to North Dakota to play the Fighting Sioux on Friday and Saturday. The Pioneers, in third place in the WCHA, trail the Sioux by two points, but have two games in hand.
The heroes Saturday were Mannino (30 saves), freshman center Tyler Bozak (goal, assist) and sophomore wing Rhett Rakhshani (goal, assist), but everyone played well — particularly Matt Glasser (goal, four shots), Dustin Jackson (four shots), Tom May (plus-2) and Chris Butler (plus-2).
Glasser's goal with 18 seconds left in the first period gave DU the momentum, and Bozak and Rakhshani struck within 2:08 of the second period to make it 3-0.
Mannino, tied with Gerry Powers with a program-most 13 career shutouts, came 3:56 shy of No. 14. Brian Gifford added an empty-net goal with 1:36 to play.
"We have a small margin for error," Gophers coach Don Lucia said. "We played well, we played hard, but we just couldn't get over the hump. Denver was the better team tonight."
12 comments:
A very good weekend for the Pios. Great to see Glasser and Gifford get a goal and the team play well again last night. Most importantly, Mannino had a solid weekend. If these guys play hard for 60 minutes they can be special, even without Rueggs.
Playing in Grad Forks is always an experience. It's one of the great atmospheres in college hockey. The crowd is always festive (read: hostile). I think if DU can get a split they will continue to build momentum. Won't be easy.
So glad DU played above the Gophers AND Derek Shepherd's disgraceful attempts at officiating. Glasser played his heart out.
I am looking forward to the Sioux playing one of our heated rivals and I am sure it will be two good games.
i actually think Sheppard has been one of the better WCHA refs this season if that makes sense?
I know the refs aren't good but he probably is one of the better ones.
If Sheppard is one of the better WCHA refs that just shows how bad they are in the WCHA.
I got a response from Greg Shepherd (Derek Shepherd's dad and the director of officials for the WCHA) and all he said was both coaches said the officiating had no bearing on the games.
Still doesn't mean the officiating didn't suck though- its not a one off deal- its consistently bad.
When asked further about the apologies and goaltender interference (or lack thereof) Shepherd got very defensive. Guess they know something's wrong even if they won't admit it. I wasn't being that confrontational either.
If you are bothered too by the WCHA refs (no matter what team you're for- we need your help Sioux and Tiger fans- and Badger and Gopher and Husky fans for that matter) e-mail a polite, objective letter to Mr. Greg Shepherd at g.shepherd@mailstation.com. Help us out as fans of hockey, not any team. Its shameful.
fuk du
the sioux will woop tour ass without trotter
cc has the title wrapped up, how do yo like them apples biches
oshie-duncan-kozek rip your soft ass team apart
go cc - you can come touch the title if you like come march
go sioux this weekend - go cc
cc14- How do you even know what the title looks like unless you watched DU win it 7 times since the last time you did? More classy rep from the Springs.
To cc147 post,
"go cc - you can come touch the title if you like come march". The real date is Frozen Four April 10 and 12, 2008 Pepsi Center Denver, Colo. The Sioux will do everything in its power to help CC in bragging rights over DU, but we don't really care about either of you when it comes to our quest.
Yo cc14...
50 years CC has talked smack
50 years CC has watched others win that NCAA title
50 years CC has literally celebrated disappointment after disappointment
50 years CC has been the JOKE of Colorado hockey
Might as well get another banner ready to hang at the World Arena... Colorado College 2008 Clowns of Colorado.
Save your breath CC, you already make it easy enough to laugh at your team.
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