"I don't recall the last time Denver was the underdog going into a game like that, but we are certainly the underdog going into that game against Air Force," DU coach George Gwozdecky said.
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said...
If it works, great.
AFA has not just been winnning, but whipping opponents. Now, we know some of the AHA teams are not top 20 material, but it's still impressive - AFA has had a great year to date, but I think DU will be ready for them this year, epsecially after last year's humiliating loss at AFA. I'm sure George will be replaying some of that tape to fire up the boys.
This series has important PWR ramifications, and DU needs to take care of business.
DU should be as amped for this game as for any non conference game this year. Last year's game vs AFA was a complete debacle, possibly DU's worst game of the season. Couple that with AFA's record this year and the well deserved national recognition they are getting and DU should come out ready to fly.
No one will know till Friday afternoon, but hey we can speculate all day long.
Lets just say that every job on the team was put up from grabs last Saturday night and a bunch of new candidates jumped up.
Defensemen on Friday night is easy to predict with Testwuide's DQ. Mullen, Brookwell, Lee, Nutini, Ryder & Wiercioch if he's 100%. Maybe this gives Marcuzzi a shot on the 4th line because he can be an emergency 6th defenseman.
The offensive lines will probably look like scrambled eggs because of the inspired play of Cunningham & Vossberg. Maybe one or both of them gets a shot on Friday and/or Saturday night.
I'd like to see Glasser or Gifford on the third line again. They both played really well.
Anyway no matter who plays or who's on what line, we now know we have some great players. If DU plays with intensity, we can play with anybody.
No doubt DU will have to play with passion and intensity against the Falcons to win. I also think it's very important that DU scores first and plays with the lead. Hopefully a big lead. The Falcons are a very smart and disciplined team and will not beat themselves with sloppy play and/or mistakes.
I would also add that I hope DU does not look past Colgate. DU needs to beat less than elite non conference opponents. The win against ND was great, but the loss to Ohio State was bad. I don't want to see a repeat of 2006 or whenever that was, losing to Ferris, Princeton etc.
A few observations on Colborne, IMHO:
1. It seems that some of the negative/unfavorable comments on Joe might be more rooted in his status as a #1 pick and the hype surrounding him rather than his actual play on the ice. In 13 games played this year he has 7 points, tied with Rueggs for 6th on the team. Not outstanding but not terrible either. He's on pace to score between 20 and 25 points this year. Not too bad for a freshman. If he ends up with 25-30or even more, even better. Has he been setting the world on fire? No. Can he get better? Yes. Does he have the potential to be an impact player? Absolutely. But I would wait until his first collegiate season is complete before any hardcore evaluations. He's had some pretty good moments thus far.
2. If you read any of the various scouting reports and writeups on him before and after the draft he is as advertised--a tall guy, lanky, needs to fill out and get stronger, and physically mature. He also skates well, has great vision, is a great passer, and is very intelligent. He's not a big banger/power forward type or a guy that plays with a nasty edge/mean streak. He doesn't seem to have that type of personality or temperament. But he can be an effective player with his size and skill with the puck. Only time will tell if he's destined for stardom in the pros.
Colburne's pass to Weircoch who then slid the pass to Maiani for the PP goal of Saturday was a thing of beauty. I think Big Joe is getting more and more comfortable with the speed of the game and is going to be just fine. No panic here about the freshman with 10 games under his belt.
It's hard to believe that DU is actually the underdog. I never thought I'd see the day when DU is an underdog to AFA in hockey. AFA has come a long way.
With Wiercioch still hurting, I think Mullen will likely be back in the lineup this weekend, as DU needs a puck-moving defenseman. I think the benching was a shot accross his bow to be more thoughtful with the puck. Knowing what a good athlete and competitor Mullen is, my guess is that he'll be a much better player and leader in the final 2/3rds of the season.
I think Mullen has to get back in the lineup this weekend and redeem himself. Gwoz should give him that opportunity.
Mullen has been sort of an enigma this year. I thought he started out really well, then had a couple of subpar games, and then in the game against Minn was just lousy. He seemed unfocused and mentally out of it, like he didn't want to be there.
Bottom line....he can be a very good all around player when he wants to, and he's one of the few seniors on the team and should be a leader. I think he'll step up whenever he gets back in the lineup and play like he's suposed to.
I agree that if pw is still hurting he'll play. If pw plays then the mental issues that got him benched should keep bench. I say Gwoz should make him earn the spot back so he can rise up and be the leader he should be in the second half.
16 comments:
If it works, great.
AFA has not just been winnning, but whipping opponents. Now, we know some of the AHA teams are not top 20 material, but it's still impressive - AFA has had a great year to date, but I think DU will be ready for them this year, epsecially after last year's humiliating loss at AFA. I'm sure George will be replaying some of that tape to fire up the boys.
This series has important PWR ramifications, and DU needs to take care of business.
DU should be as amped for this game as for any non conference game this year. Last year's game vs AFA was a complete debacle, possibly DU's worst game of the season. Couple that with AFA's record this year and the well deserved national recognition they are getting and DU should come out ready to fly.
Air Force will be tough for DU simply because they play so hard. DU will have to match that or they will lose for the 2nd straight year.
Colborne needs to start asserting himself on this team and making an impact. I thought he would be a sure fire all rookie type but far from it.
I went to the AF game last year, and if they play anywhere close to the intensity I saw then, DU will have their hands full.
Any thoughts on who is going to play and who will be benched?
Testwide needs has only been a part time player this year. That has been a disappointment.
No one will know till Friday afternoon, but hey we can speculate all day long.
Lets just say that every job on the team was put up from grabs last Saturday night and a bunch of new candidates jumped up.
Defensemen on Friday night is easy to predict with Testwuide's DQ. Mullen, Brookwell, Lee, Nutini, Ryder & Wiercioch if he's 100%. Maybe this gives Marcuzzi a shot on the 4th line because he can be an emergency 6th defenseman.
The offensive lines will probably look like scrambled eggs because of the inspired play of Cunningham & Vossberg. Maybe one or both of them gets a shot on Friday and/or Saturday night.
I'd like to see Glasser or Gifford on the third line again. They both played really well.
Anyway no matter who plays or who's on what line, we now know we have some great players. If DU plays with intensity, we can play with anybody.
No doubt DU will have to play with passion and intensity against the Falcons to win. I also think it's very important that DU scores first and plays with the lead. Hopefully a big lead. The Falcons are a very smart and disciplined team and will not beat themselves with sloppy play and/or mistakes.
I would also add that I hope DU does not look past Colgate. DU needs to beat less than elite non conference opponents. The win against ND was great, but the loss to Ohio State was bad. I don't want to see a repeat of 2006 or whenever that was, losing to Ferris, Princeton etc.
A few observations on Colborne, IMHO:
1. It seems that some of the negative/unfavorable comments on Joe might be more rooted in his status as a #1 pick and the hype surrounding him rather than his actual play on the ice. In 13 games played this year he has 7 points, tied with Rueggs for 6th on the team. Not outstanding but not terrible either. He's on pace to score between 20 and 25 points this year. Not too bad for a freshman. If he ends up with 25-30or even more, even better. Has he been setting the world on fire? No. Can he get better? Yes. Does he have the potential to be an impact player? Absolutely. But I would wait until his first collegiate season is complete before any hardcore evaluations. He's had some pretty good moments thus far.
2. If you read any of the various scouting reports and writeups on him before and after the draft he is as advertised--a tall guy, lanky, needs to fill out and get stronger, and physically mature. He also skates well, has great vision, is a great passer, and is very intelligent. He's not a big banger/power forward type or a guy that plays with a nasty edge/mean streak. He doesn't seem to have that type of personality or temperament. But he can be an effective player with his size and skill with the puck. Only time will tell if he's destined for stardom in the pros.
Amazing what these air force cadets can do when they stop sexually assaulting their female peers...
Colburne's pass to Weircoch who then slid the pass to Maiani for the PP goal of Saturday was a thing of beauty. I think Big Joe is getting more and more comfortable with the speed of the game and is going to be just fine. No panic here about the freshman with 10 games under his belt.
Gwoz repeated a similar underdog statement on the radio this morning. Looking forward to Serratorre and Owens' views...
Gwoz is staying "on message."
Glad to hear it.
It's hard to believe that DU is actually the underdog. I never thought I'd see the day when DU is an underdog to AFA in hockey. AFA has come a long way.
I think Mullen will not dress. His performance Friday night was sub-standard and in my mind he's get an uphill climb to get back in the line-up.
With Wiercioch still hurting, I think Mullen will likely be back in the lineup this weekend, as DU needs a puck-moving defenseman. I think the benching was a shot accross his bow to be more thoughtful with the puck. Knowing what a good athlete and competitor Mullen is, my guess is that he'll be a much better player and leader in the final 2/3rds of the season.
I think Mullen has to get back in the lineup this weekend and redeem himself. Gwoz should give him that opportunity.
Mullen has been sort of an enigma this year. I thought he started out really well, then had a couple of subpar games, and then in the game against Minn was just lousy. He seemed unfocused and mentally out of it, like he didn't want to be there.
Bottom line....he can be a very good all around player when he wants to, and he's one of the few seniors on the team and should be a leader. I think he'll step up whenever he gets back in the lineup and play like he's suposed to.
I agree that if pw is still hurting he'll play. If pw plays then the mental issues that got him benched should keep bench. I say Gwoz should make him earn the spot back so he can rise up and be the leader he should be in the second half.
Mullen is too valuable to sit again this weekend, especially if Wiercioch is not 100%. he should play.
Go DU!!!!
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