Denver Post Looks At The Weekend In Madison

(above) DU is 11-1-2 in the Kohl Center since it opened in 1998

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers


The short straw looks rather long to the University of Denver hockey team.

The Pioneers begin NCAA Tournament play Saturday against Wisconsin, host of the Midwest Regional at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. It's a tough draw for a No. 2 seed playing a No. 3 seed on its home ice. With more than 15,000 seats, the Kohl Center is college hockey's largest regular venue, and it will be packed with Badgers fans.

But check out these numbers: DU is 11-1-2 against the Badgers at the Kohl Center since it opened in 1998, including a four-game winning streak.

"For some reason, our guys love to play there and have had great success," DU coach George Gwozdecky said.

DU might also like the fact Wisconsin (15-16-7) is the only under-.500 team in the tournament and is on a three-game losing streak.

The Badgers, 10-6-2 at home this season, will have had a 14-day break when they face the Pioneers, who appear to be playing their best hockey of the season.

DU, which has won four in a row, appeared unfazed by the partisan North Dakota and Minnesota crowds last weekend at the WCHA Final Five in St. Paul, Minn.

"We're playing with confidence right now," Gwozdecky said. (rest of article)

No comments: