(left) Rhett RakshaniThe seven-time NCAA champion Denver Pioneers returned to national prominence last season after missing the NCAA Tournament in 2006 and 2007.
Led by the stellar goaltending of Peter Mannino, DU captured its league-leading 15th WCHA playoff championship, advanced to its 19th NCAA Tournament and won 26 games overall.
The 2008-09 season presents new challenges for the Pioneers, who are extremely skilled and fast, but the goals remain the same. Become a team, gain home ice for the WCHA playoffs, and advance to the WCHA Final Five and NCAA Tournament.
Reclaiming the Gold Pan Trophy from in-state rival Colorado College is also a top priority for the 2008-09 Pioneers. (read rest of article on DU Website in "Media Section")
Led by the stellar goaltending of Peter Mannino, DU captured its league-leading 15th WCHA playoff championship, advanced to its 19th NCAA Tournament and won 26 games overall.
The 2008-09 season presents new challenges for the Pioneers, who are extremely skilled and fast, but the goals remain the same. Become a team, gain home ice for the WCHA playoffs, and advance to the WCHA Final Five and NCAA Tournament.
Reclaiming the Gold Pan Trophy from in-state rival Colorado College is also a top priority for the 2008-09 Pioneers. (read rest of article on DU Website in "Media Section")
7 comments:
I really hope DU can reclaim the Gold Pan this year. Watching CC dominate the series recently has been unpleasant, to say the least.
I agree twister...one of the goals for the team has to be to win back the Gold Pan...I went to all CC games last year and nothing worse than hearing and seeing CC fans relishing their victories. Of course always remember, it has been 52 years since they celebrated an NCAA title
CC gets up to play us while we focus on North Dakota & Minnesota. Its the classic "Little Brother Syndrome."
That being said, its time to reclaim our mantle as the Top Team in the Rockies.
Hopefully the Pios get the Gold Pan back. Regardless, I'm stoked for this DU hockey season. This team just seems to have a lot of exciting talent in the right places. Only time will tell if they put it all together and if Chevy is a gamer, but I'm really looking forward to next month when the puck drops.
CC is loaded this year and should be the consensus #1 pick in the WCHA, so DU will have it's hands full getting the Gold Pan back.
Splitting up the series into a non-consective home and home should help DU a little bit more. The first CC home game is on a Sunday now, and that takes some drunken energy out of the building. If DU could get a sweep in the first series, it will put the pressure on CC. If it's a split or CC sweeps, it's unlikely that DU would get the pan back
That's awesome that you got featured on the Pioneers website!
On a side note, I think I will be out there for a game or two this winter. Maybe I'll see you guys there :-)
No doubt CC will be a formidable opponent this year for anyone, although losing Hillen leaves their D corps less than elite, in my opinion. Hopefully Bachman hits the proverbial "sophomore slump."
Post a Comment