News & Notes From Around Pioneer Nation

(above) DU plays Minnesota State-Mankato twice this weekend

• DU's rise in the standings has been led by some unexpected players. College Hockey News takes a look at the role Marc Cheverie, Luke Salazar and Anthony Maiani have had in the Pioneers success.

• Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Matt Carle, a former University of Denver star, has missed five games with back spasms and is taking anti-inflammatory medication. Carle, acquired from Tampa Bay on Nov. 7, has two goals and three assists in 23 games.

• Minnesota State-Mankato's forward Kael Mouillerat will be back in the lineup after missing seven games with an upper body injury. He's a point a game player and a key to the Mavericks power play. [read rest of article]

• The first 1,100 Minnesota State's student tickets are distributed for free on Wednesday's at MSU's Taylor Center. The school then sells additional student tickets for $6 apiece. MSU has 14,500 students.

• Everything you want to know about Minnesota State this weekend can be found on Puck Swami's Know Your Foe Blog.

• DenverPioneers.com has the Game Notes, stats & previews for this weekend's action.

• The Boone image above was "Photoshopped" from Lars Paulgaard's new goalie mask by a DU student who has been doing our "artwork" recently. We'd like to see this version of Boone adopted as the official mascot of the Athletic Department. LetsGoDU is doing everything in our power behind the scenes to reverse the Chancellor's decision and return Boone to the DU community. We'll be working in the Winter Quarter with DU students for a Boone Election Referendum.