(above) Andrew Thomas & Peter Mannino are two of Denver's four SeniorsFrom: Rocky Mountain News
by Pat Rooney
When they were freshmen, Tom May and Andrew Thomas each scored goals in the University of Denver's first-round win against Bemidji State in the NCAA tournament, helping the Pioneers avoid an upset that would have derailed a postseason run that ended with a second consecutive national championship.
Their classmate, Peter Mannino, took the reins from there, recording 85 saves in wins against Colorado College and North Dakota to earn the Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player award.
"It kind of started last week - all the seniors kind of looked around and realized it would be the last time we played CC at home," Thomas said. "We want to make it last as long as possible. We've been trying to make sure the guys are ready this week and really bringing their best effort."
Thomas and Mannino will look to anchor a defense that has shown chips in its armor after a stellar first half of the season.
"We want to put the team in good position going into the (NCAA) tournament," Mannino said. "It's important for us momentum wise. It's a big building block, getting to the Final Five. It was a lot of fun being there our freshman year and we want to get there again."
Regardless of the outcome of Final Five, DU, sixth in the PairWise rankings, likely will receive a bid to the NCAA tournament.
"One of our goals this year was to advance to the Final Five," DU coach George Gwozdecky said. "Our seniors haven't been there since freshmen. We're motivated by that."
Their classmate, Peter Mannino, took the reins from there, recording 85 saves in wins against Colorado College and North Dakota to earn the Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player award.
"It kind of started last week - all the seniors kind of looked around and realized it would be the last time we played CC at home," Thomas said. "We want to make it last as long as possible. We've been trying to make sure the guys are ready this week and really bringing their best effort."
Thomas and Mannino will look to anchor a defense that has shown chips in its armor after a stellar first half of the season.
"We want to put the team in good position going into the (NCAA) tournament," Mannino said. "It's important for us momentum wise. It's a big building block, getting to the Final Five. It was a lot of fun being there our freshman year and we want to get there again."
Regardless of the outcome of Final Five, DU, sixth in the PairWise rankings, likely will receive a bid to the NCAA tournament.
"One of our goals this year was to advance to the Final Five," DU coach George Gwozdecky said. "Our seniors haven't been there since freshmen. We're motivated by that."
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