Chambers Blog: Dylan Gambrell Commits To DU


(above) This video is two years old, but you get the idea.  The kid has game.

Mike Chambers of the Denver Post is reporting that Dylan Gambrell has made a verbal commitment to the University of Denver.  Check out Mike Chambers Blog for more information about the player.
"Ninth-grader Dylan Gambrell has committed to play hockey for the University of Denver, his coach said. Gambrell plays for the U16 Colorado Thunderbirds (Tier 1, triple-A), coached by former Pioneers forward Angelo Ricci, whose organization has become a feeder program to the local NCAA powerhouse."
2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Indiana Ice, USHL)
D Dakota Mermis (Green Bay, USHL)
D Matt Van Voorhis (Sioux Falls, USHL)
F Garrett Allen (Des Moines, USHL)
D Nolan Zajac (Omaha, USHL)
F Quentin Shore (U.S. Under-18)
F Grant Arnold (Green Bay, USHL)
F Gabe Levin (Fairbanks, NAHL)

2013 Recruiting Class
F Brad Hawkinson (Lincoln Stars, USHL)
F Landon Smith (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Connor Chatham (U.S. Under-17)
F Ray Pigozzi (Chicago, USHL)
D Will Butcher (U.S. Under-17)
F Cody DePourcq (Penticton, BCHL)
F Trevor Moore (Tri-Cities, USHL)

2014 Recruiting Class
F Jared Fiegl (Colorado Rampage, U-16)
D Gage Ausmus (U.S. Under-17)

2015 Recruiting Class
F Dylan Gambrell (Colorado Thunderbirds, AAA)

News & Notes From Around PioNation

The New York Islanders Website has a great question and answer session with DU Defenseman Scott Mayfield.  He talks about adjusting to college hockey and spends quite a bit of time discussing classwork.
----------
DU is offering $6 tickets to Saturday's lacrosse match-up against Hartford. Go to to DenverPioneers.com
Click on "Promotions" on the left hand side of the screen
Enter the code - DULAX
Order as many $6 tickets as you'd like
----------
The DU Clarion has an article about Joey LaLeggia.  He is having a bang-up season of historic proportions leading the country in Freshman scoring as a defenseman.
-----------
The DU Athletics Website has details on some honors picked up by two DU basketball players. Chris Udofia was named Sunbelt Defensive Player of the Year and 1st Team All-Sunbelt Conference team.  Brian Stafford was named 2nd Team All-Sunbelt Conference Team.
-----------
Pat Rooney has written an excellent article about the Shore brothers.  Nick is applying daily pressure on Drew to return for his Senior season. 

CC Freshman Class Ranked #58 In Scoring

(above) This doesn't bode well for future seasons

Clarion Editorial Questions Student Turnout

From: DU Clarion
by Alex Proletti

With a hockey team that has won seven national championships and is a perennial contender for the NCAA tournament, you would think more students would show their support.

The Pioneers are at the end of their regular season and hunting for the NCAA playoffs, and yet there was a disappointingly low number of students supporting them in their final home game of the season, which happened to be senior night, against North Dakota last weekend. It's been a season long trend.

Against UND, who has arguably turned into our biggest rival, the student showing was embarrassing. On Friday, a total of 671 student tickets were sold, including the 368 season tickets, but only 228 students attended the game, a meager 34 percent. Saturday was even worse, selling a total of 583 student tickets, including 368 season tickets, and only 166 students (28.5 percent) came to the game.

The numbers from the then-No.1/2 Minnesota series, which is arguably one of the finest programs in college hockey, are almost identical, with 761 tickets sold for Friday and only 259 students, 34 percent, coming out to support. Again, Saturday's numbers were worse with 542 sold and only 159 students (29.3 percent) in attendance.

The lack of support for such key games is disappointing; DU boasts an incredible program, and students can't even show up for the huge games against UND and Minnesota. I will give credit to the student body, we always pack the CC games, but those are not the only big games for this program.

For all of you who own season tickets, you paid $72 dollars for those tickets that you continually allow to go to waste. Why not go?

Denver is on the playoff bubble, according to the latest Pairwise rankings, trying to keep above the No. 16 spot to clinch a playoff bid, but how are they supposed to do so without the support of their school behind them?

So where is everyone? We have a hockey team with 10 NHL draft picks and they are supported by a feeble number of fans at games.

There are certainly those devoted fans who pack the front few rows of the student section every game, but with a school of 5,000 undergraduates and 6,000 graduate students, we should be more than capable of packing more than several rows.

The players consistently work to perform at their best to represent the University of Denver, yet they are met with only a handful of students supporting them. Hockey is DU's biggest sport, so where is the school spirit?

Since the Pioneers clinched home ice for the Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs, which begin March 9, students have at least one more opportunity this season to watch the Pioneers play on our home ice.

We need to get out there, pack our student section and support our Pioneer hockey players. We shouldn't be a school that only packs their student section because CC is here, or ESPN is covering a basketball game, so we look like a real school with spirit. We should be packing every game so we are a real school with spirit.

DU Lacrosse Player Fights Back From Cancer

(above) DU Today has a very cool article about lacrosse player Drew Babb
From: DU Today
by Pat Rooney

Drew Babb is champing at the bit to return his life to a state of normalcy. So far, his lacrosse career at the University of Denver could best be described as one big pain in the neck. And unfortunately, it was far from a laughing matter.

After defeating Hodgkin’s lymphoma and undergoing hip surgery due to issues arising from his cancer treatments, Babb completed a long journey last week when he made his long-awaited Pioneers debut during DU’s season opener against Ohio State. Babb, who missed what should have been his first two collegiate seasons due to illness and injury, finally made his home debut this weekend, as the Pioneers played Michigan on Saturday and Robert Morris on Sunday in the DU Face-Off Classic at Peter Barton Stadium [read entire article].

Love The Jersey Poppers

(above) DU's two "Jersey Poppers" had a lot of fun on Saturday night in Magness Arena
"Apparently, the jersey pop has made its way to the Mile High City as both Jason Zucker and Scott Mayfield were jersey-popping after their goals Saturday. After the second one, Ben Blood went in for a word with Mayfield and that’s when the penalties started."
Some hockey purists may not be enamored with the art of "Jersey-Popping," but it was great to see Jason Zucker and Scott Mayfield showing pride in their Denver colors on Saturday night.

Both of these athletes could of played hockey for any school in the country.  They choose DU ... PioNation thanks you.

DU's Future Schedules Include Pleasant Surprises

Next season will be the University of Denver's final season in the WCHA. The DU hockey staff has been been busy working on next year's schedule and the complexities of forming the National Collegiate Hockey Association in 2013 and beyond.

The Presidential Debate at Magness Arena [Oct. 3rd] may impact the hockey practice and exhibition schedule, but it remains to be seen if any regular season games have to be juggled.

Boston University will visit the Pioneers next season for in the U.S. Hall of Fame Game. DU hosted this event in 2008 against Notre Dame and the Hall of Fame Dinner the night before featured Bret Hull and several other USA hockey legends inductions. The dinner was hosted at on the floor of Magness Arena and it was an epic evening.

Cornell will visit DU for a two game series next season. This will be a rematch of the incredible 1969 National Championship Game played in the Broadmoor Arena in Colorado Springs featuring future NHL legends Ken Dryden, Keith Magnuson, Craig Patrick & George Morrison. DU won 4-3 on Tom Miller's goal with less than 10 minutes to play.

The University of New Hampshire will be the marquee program visiting Magness Arena for the Denver Cup.

In a surprising development, Minnesota and Wisconsin are negotiating with DU to visit Denver every other season, while the Pioneers will return the visits in alternating years. It is exciting to hear that these rivalries will continue despite the departures from the WCHA. Minnesota and Wisconsin alums in Colorado will be thrilled to hear of this development.

Starting in 2013-14 DU will play the Air Force twice per season.  This great rivalry has become very popular recently, so doubling the number of games against Air Force will be another positive scheduling move.

DU is in conversations with the Boston schools about continuing the cross-country rivalries.

With NCHC league play against Miami, North Dakota, Colorado College, Minnesota-Duluth and an emerging rivalry with road-trip potential against Nebraska-Omaha there are exciting times ahead for DU hockey fans.

DU Recruit Impresses In Wacky Breakaway Video


 (above) Trevor Moore is the final player to shoot in this video of Tri-Cities Storm players showing their creativity during the "Breakaway Challenge" at the team's first-ever Skills Competition

One of the youngest players in the United States Hockey League this season is Trevor Moore from Thousand Oaks, Calif. On his way out to Nebraska this season, Moore visited the University of Denver with his family and accepted an offer to join the Pioneers hockey team in 2013.

Moore has 10 goals and 17 assists in 42 games this season.
2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Indiana Ice, USHL)
D Dakota Mermis (Green Bay, USHL)
D Matt Van Voorhis (Sioux Falls, USHL)
F Garrett Allen (Des Moines, USHL)
D Nolan Zajac (Omaha, USHL)
F Quentin Shore (U.S. Under-18)
F Grant Arnold (Green Bay, USHL)
F Gabe Levin (Fairbanks, NAHL)

2013 Recruiting Class

F Brad Hawkinson (Lincoln Stars, USHL)
F Landon Smith (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Connor Chatham (U.S. Under-17)
F Ray Pigozzi (Chicago, USHL)
D Will Butcher (U.S. Under-17)
F Cody DePourcq (Penticton, BCHL)
F Trevor Moore (Tri-Cities, USHL)

2014 Recruiting Class
F Jared Fiegl (Colorado Rampage, U-16)
D Gage Ausmus (U.S. Under-17)

Photo: Boone Throws Down A "Pio-Jam"

(above) DU students storm the court after defeating Middle Tennessee, Boone throws down a "Pio-Jam," while DU's crack security staff try and pull his pants down
photo credit: Adam Hammerman

News & Notes From Around PioNation

(above) DU's Swimming & Diving team picked up the hardware this weekend in Dallas at the Sunbelt Conference Championships
Congrats to the DU Women & Men's Swimming & Diving Teams.  In its final Sun Belt Conference Championships, DU left the conference as back-to-back champions. The Pioneers totaled 18 first-place finishes en route to both team titles.
----------
Thanks to DU's mens basketball 64-52 victory on Sunday, the Pioneers will be the third seed — and receive one of the three byes into the quarterfinals of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. The Pioneers will play Sunday night against the South Alabama-Troy winner in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
----------
The Pioneers Women's hoops team gained their 19th victory of the season Sunday, defeating North Texas 55-36 at Magness Arena. They head into the Sunbelt Tournament quarterfinals as the No. 2 seed in the West Division. The Pioneers play next Sunday at 11:15 a.m. vs. the first-round winner between Florida International and Louisiana-Lafayette.
----------
Mike Chambers Blog takes a look at DU's remarkable streak of not being swept at home or on the road in the past four years in WCHA conference series.  The streak now stands at 54 consecutive series without being swept.
----------
Hard to believe after watching the DU men's lacrosse team crush Michigan (17-5) and Robert Morris (21-8) this weekend, but DU actually fell to #12 & #14 in the two lacrosse polls released today.

Sunday's Events At DU

Sunday At DU

11 AM - Michigan Lax vs. Air Force Barton Stadium
1 PM - DU Basketball vs. North Texas, Magness Arena
1:30 PM - DU Lacrosse vs. Robert Morris Barton Stadium
3:30 PM - DU Women's Basketball vs. North Texas, Magness Arena

Denver 5 - North Dakota 3 FINAL

(above) Michael Parks picks his nose while watching the Pioneers pummel  North Dakota in Magness Arenaon Saturday night
"The passion was dialed up to 10 by simmering bile, wild momentum shifts and a general lack of control by referees whose talents might be better suited to serving as hall monitors at an elementary school."
Mark Kizla - Denver Post Columnist
On Senior Night at Magness Arena the University of Denver hockey team's season was hanging in the balance.  To complicate matters, the University of North Dakota was brimming with confidence and swagger after dominating DU the night before.  Luckily for PioNation, the team responded with a courageous effort and prevailed 5-3.

Pregame the Pioneers honored Seniors Nate Dewhurst, John Ryder, Luke Salazar, John Lee & David Carle. DU needed all of that Senior leadership to stay composed on Saturday night.

Chris Knowlton scored shorthanded and on the power play, and Nick Shore, Jason Zucker and Scott Mayfield each added a goal for Denver. Freshman Juho Olkinuora's 27 saves gave the Pioneers a lift in net.




DU Lacrosse 17 - Michigan 5 FINAL

"It was great to look up in the stands and see our fans coming out here. It was a great atmosphere."
DU Coach Bill Tierney
"Obviously, Denver is an elite team and an elite program. In a lot of ways they are what we want to become."
Michigan Head Coach John Paul

The University of Denver defeated Michigan on a glorious Spring afternoon at Barton Stadium, 17-5. There wasn't an empty seat in the house and the overflow crowd was treated to a clinical display of offensive lacrosse.  The Pioneers controlled the flow of the game thanks to their prowess at face-offs, winning 19 of 26 draws, and collecting 43 ground balls to U-M's 23.

DU won the opening faceoff and scored 42 seconds in. DU led 2-0 three minutes into the first quarter and 5-1 after 15 minutes. Denver had a 4-2 scoring advantage in the second stanza to earn a 9-3 halftime advantage. DU's lead ballooned to 15-5 after three quarters and it tacked on two more late goals.

Denver's Eric Law led all players with four goals, while Mark Matthews and Alex Demopoulos had three apiece.

Denver jumped ahead early with goals at 14:18 and 12:01 of the first quarter. Michigan bounced a shot through the DU goalie's five-hole at 7:45 to make it 2-1. The Pioneers responded just 42 seconds later and poured in two more goals in the final minute of the first quarter.

The Pioneers and Wolverines traded goals throughout the second quarter until Denver finished the frame with back-to-back goals for a 9-3 halftime lead.

Denver made it a four-goal run with two tallies to begin the second half. Bryant's second goal of the day made it 11-4. DU deposited four straight goals to take a double-digit lead, 15-4. Chu scored on a pass that ricocheted into the Denver goal to cap U-M's scoring with eight seconds left in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was scoreless until DU tallied two late goals.



Bill Tierney Goes For 300th Career Win Today

DU Lacrosse vs. Michigan
1:30 PM Barton Stadium

From: Denver Post

University of Denver lacrosse coach Bill Tierney is looking for his 300th career win this weekend when the Pioneers host the four-team DU Face-Off Classic at Peter Barton Stadium.

But more importantly — if you ask him — 11th-ranked DU is looking for its first win of the season. DU last week opened its season ranked No. 5, but started with a 10-9 loss to Ohio State in Florida

"We're disappointed in that loss, not because we lost but because we didn't feel like we played our best," said Tierney, whose career record is 299-102 over 27 seasons. "But we're going to look forward and stay positive."

The Pioneers face Michigan at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Air Force plays Robert Morris at 11 a.m. Then DU and AFA swap opponents Sunday.

North Dakota 4 - Denver 3 FINAL

"This is probably one of the most difficult interviews I've had to do in a long time because I'm extremely disappointed."
- DU Coach George Gwozdecky
The University of North Dakota dominated the first 55 minutes of the hockey game on Friday night at Magness Arena.  DU managed three desperate goals in the last five minutes but it wasn't enough and the Fighting Sioux prevailed 4-3.

Crimson Weekend At DU

(above) Big sports weekend at DU

Tweets From Around PioNation-Da Boyz Are Ready

DU Parking Advisory Issued This Weekend

The DU Ticket
Fans attending any of the athletics contests scheduled for Friday-Sunday, Feb. 24-26 at the Daniel L. Ritchie Center are encouraged to arrive early, car pool or use public transportation as parking will be limited throughout the weekend.

Friday's event:
8 PM - Hockey vs. North Dakota, Magness Arena

Saturday's events:
All Day - Silver State Swim Meet, El Pomar Natatorium
10 AM - Men's Soccer Goal-A-Thon, CIBER Field at
11 AM - Men's Lacrosse - Air Force vs. Robert Morris Barton Stadium
1:30 PM - Men's Lacrosse vs. Michigan, Peter Barton Stadium
6 PM - Gymnastics vs. Sacramento State, Hamilton Gymnasium
7 PM - Hockey vs. North Dakota, Magness Arena


Sunday's events:
All Day - Silver State Swim Meet, El Pomar Natatorium
11 AM - Men's Lacrosse - Michigan vs. Air Force Barton Stadium
1:30 PM - Men's Lacrosse vs. Robert Morris Barton Stadium
1 PM - Men's Basketball vs. North Texas, Magness Arena
3:30 PM - Women's Basketball vs. North Texas, Magness Arena

50/50 Raffle This Weekend

(above) Don't forget to purchase DU 50/50 Raffle Tickets this weekend.  The prize will likely reach the maximum $1,000 on both nights

DU vs. North Dakota
8 PM MT Friday
TV: NBC Sports Network

Video: North Dakota Our Least Visited State

Denver Post Profiles Joey LaLeggia

(above) Joey Leggs is the leading freshman scorer in college hockey
From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

University of Denver freshman Joey LaLeggia enjoyed the type of junior-A career that normally has NHL scouts drooling. Last season, he led all British Columbia Hockey League defensemen in scoring with 82 points (20 goals) in 58 games. He was named a conference player of the year and the league's defensive player of the year.

Yet, when the NHL draft rolled around in June, he wasn't considered worthy of selection, apparently deemed too small to make it at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds [read entire article].

Boone Squad To Protect Mascot During UND Series

(above) The paramilitary "Boone Squad" will protect our mascot this weekend
When the unwashed masses from west of the Red River invade Magness Arena this weekend, security for Boone will be a priority.  Having regained and lost the Fighting Sioux logo a half dozen times in the past few years is caused consternation in Sioux Nation and they have turned on each other.

The Boone Squad jackets arrived on Thursday and the students are ready to put their lives on line to protect Boone.

Hockey' Future Ranks Mayfield Top 5 Defenseman

 Scott Mayfield, Freshman, University of Denver
NHL Rights: New York Islanders
Drafted: 2nd Round, 34th overall, 2011
6'4 200 lbs.


Hockey's Future has an article on the Top 10 NCAA Defensemen currently playing college hockey. Scott Mayfield of the University of Denver was ranked #5.

Olszewski Suspended From DU Hockey Team

Dan Olszewski
Two-time National Coach of the Year George Gwozdecky has suspended sophomore forward Dan Olszewski (Janesville, Wis.) indefinitely from the University of Denver hockey program for violation of team policy.

Olszewski will miss at the minimum the remainder of the 2011-12 season. Gwozdecky and his staff will review Olszewski’s suspension at the end of the season. Olszewski appeared in nine games this season and committed two penalties for four minutes.

DU Starts Strongly At SBC Championships

(above) The University of Denver are heavy favorites to win the SBC Swimming & Diving Championships this week

From: DU Athletics Website

The University of Denver started off strongly at the Sunbelt Conference Swimming & Diving Championships on Wednesday. In the first session, the Crimson and Gold scored gold in the final two events of the night.

DU is looking to defend its sweep of the conference championships from a season ago as the Pioneers compete in their last SBC Championships as a member of the league. In 2011, DU won it’s first-ever women’s team title while the men claimed their second overall team title and first since 2009. 

"Closing the evening with two wins is always a great way to leave the building," head swim coach Brian Schrader said. "I thought our women's 800 Free Relay was great. To break a conference and school record on the first night of the meet was fun. Our men's 800 Free Relay led start to finish and Clay Myers' lead-off effort was outstanding."

The Pioneers' 800 Freestyle Relay team of freshman Anna Labozan, junior Rachel Burns, freshmen Bridgette McNally and Drew Matthews finished over two seconds faster than second-place Florida Atlantic with a time of 7:16.10. Labozan's lead leg of 1:48.76 set the tone for DU, on their way to collecting a new SBC record previously set by DU in 2009.

Not to be outdone, the men's 800 Freestyle Relay team matched their counterpart's results. Senior Clayton Myers paced the team with a lead leg of 1:36.67. Junior Jorge Palma, senior Jay Giddens and junior Cole Worsley kept up the pace helping the team to a time of 6:30.04.

The Pioneer men currently sit tied atop the team standings with 74 points. The women recorded 101 points on the night, placing them in second after the night's events.

"I thought our sprint relays were good, and I'm definitely happy to be just off of our school records in those events," Schrader commented. "Kyle and Bailey both did a great job with their lead legs. I'm really excited to see what the whole team brings in the preliminaries tomorrow. All of our relays hit NCAA standards and that is always the goal."

DU Clarion Profiles Sam Brittain

(above) Great Brittain will face North Dakota this weekend
From: DU Clarion
by Alex Proletti

After missing the first 25 games of the season, sophomore goaltender Sam Brittain, referred to by his teammates and fans as Great Brittain, returned to the Pioneer ranks on Jan. 28 and has played the last four consecutive games. Friday, Brittain recorded his second career shutout.

Brittain, a Canada native who played in Calgary before moving to DU, was out of the action for more than six months after having surgery on his ACL in June of 2011 [read entire article].

College Hockey Inc. Fires CEO Paul Kelly


Paul Kelly, the one time head of the NHL Players Association, has resigned his post as Executive Director of College Hockey Inc.

College Hockey Inc. was created two years ago by the Hockey Commissioners Association to be the marketing and educational arm of college hockey. The hiring of Kelly made an immediate splash in hockey circles because of his name [read entire article].

Denver Post: DU-UND Rivalry Reaches New Heights

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

The intense rivalry between the University of Denver and North Dakota won't have a chance to simmer when the teams engage in a two-game series at Magness Arena this weekend.

The Pioneers and Fighting Sioux once again are fighting for the same things — jockeying for a home-ice slot in the first round of the league playoffs and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Denver (18-10-4) is third in the league — three points ahead of North Dakota (17-11-3), which is in a three-way tie for fourth. In the national picture, the Pioneers are tied for 11th in the PairWise Rankings and the Sioux are 14th [read entire article].

Video: Tierney & Gwozdecky On CBS4-Denver

As part of CBS4′s Xfinity Monday Live! broadcast each week sports fans get a chance to pose questions to the special guests. This week, University of Denver lacrosse and hockey coaching legends Bill Tierney and George Gwozdecky responded to questions on a variety of topics.
1st Segment: Similarities between lacrosse & hockey

2nd Segment: Shot Clock in college lacrosse?

3rd Segment: Coaches Answer Fan Questions

4th Segment: Why Tierney Came to DU

5th Segment: Tierney & Gwozdecky's high school yearbook photos

Bad Boyz: Another BU Hockey Star Arrested

(above) Max Nicastro is held on $25,000 bail
From: BU Today

Max Nicastro, a defenseman on the BU men’s hockey team, was arrested early Sunday morning by the Boston University Police and charged with sexual assault. BU Police Chief Thomas Robbins says his department is working with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, which is investigating the allegations. Nicastro is accused of sexual assault by a female student on campus. He is being held on $25,000 cash bail, and will be arraigned in Brighton District Court on Tuesday.

Michael Lynch, BU athletic director, says Nicastro has been suspended from the hockey team pending the outcome of the investigation.

Nicastro, a junior, becomes the second Terrier to be arrested for sexual assault this season. Corey Trivino was arrested on Dec. 11 and was subsequently dismissed from the team.

According to Boston.com, other than Nicastro and Trivino, fewer than five of BU’s 33,000 students this academic year have faced charges related to sexual assault, according to a school official. The hockey team appears to be cornering the market on sexual assault along the Charles River.

Charlie Coyle, a Minnesota Wild prospect, quit the BU hockey team five days after Trivino’s arrest, saying he was “done being a student-athlete’’ and wanted to focus fully on hockey.

"Spirit Week" Kicks Off At DU

(above) LetsGoDU will give away 100 Boone posters this weekend
Wednesday and Thursday the University of Denver Spirit Cart will be manned around campus by student volunteers handing out fliers and promoting the weekend's sporting events on campus.

Friday there will be a pregame concert put on by BSA in the Student Pub in the Driscoll Center from 5-7 PM featuring the artist KHLEO. The DU vs. UND hockey game will have a late 8 PM  start because it's televised nationally on NBC Sports Network.

On Saturday Greek Life will be tailgating on Driscoll Green starting beginning at 11:30 AM with the lacrosse game vs. Michigan at 1:30 PM and hockey at 7 PM. 

The DU Grilling Society [DUGS] will be hosting a free BBQ for students, alumni and fans from 5:30 PM until the food runs out before the UND hockey game.

On Sunday both men's and women's basketball games against North Texas will be at Magness Arena, starting at 1 PM and 3:30 PM respectively. These are the final home games for our Seniors, so it would be great to support their fantastic seasons with a large turnout.

DU Welcomes UND Hockey Fans With Open Arms

University of North Dakota hockey fans traveling to Magness Arena this weekend are reminded of several polices on the campus of the University of Denver.

The University of Denver's Sustainability Council has endorsed a ban on plastic water bottles.  Low-class water like Aquafina, Dasani and Arrowhead have been determined to be the cause of global warming.  Tailgaters are encouraged to use Perrier and San Pellegrino in glass bottles.  The plastic water bottle ban must be working, because since the edict was issued, Denver has had a record snowfall and global warming has been downgraded to climate change.
Magness Arena's new state-of-the-art transgender bathrooms are the envy of the college hockey community.  The University of Denver takes tremendous pride in its diversity and inclusiveness.  Fans are reminded that these bathrooms can have long lines between periods, so plan your restroom breaks accordingly.

The University of Denver became the first major university in Colorado to become smoke free in 2010.  Fans possessing cigarettes, pipes, cigars or any "smoke products" entering Magness Arena will have said items confiscated. Confiscated products will be donated to local orphanages.

Fans planning to bring Chronic, blunts or Ganja to the game are encouraged to abide by Colorado's marijuana laws.  North Dakota fans are reminded to carry documentation from a Colorado based physician affirming that he or she suffers from a debilitating condition and advising that they "might benefit from the medical use of marijuana."  Designated marijuana smoking areas around the Ritchie Center vary by event, so check with Magness ushers or security staff before going outside to spark up. 

UND fans are requested to not openly display the Fighting Sioux logo in Magness Arena.  University of Denver faculty are easily offended. Logos depicting Native Americans run counter to DU's commitment to build a diverse and inclusive campus community as a fundamental element of excellence.

Have fun this weekend at Magness Arena, spend lots of money while visiting Colorado and remember after the games; GO HOME TO NORTH DAKOTA.

Ohio State 10 - DU Lacrosse 9 FINAL

(above) DU led Ohio State until late in the third quarter
The fifth-ranked University of Denver men's lacrosse team opened its season Sunday with a 10-9 loss to Ohio State in Jacksonville, Fla. The Buckeyes improved to 3-0.

"All the credit needs to go to Ohio State because they did a great job of shutting us down and being smart with the ball," DU coach Bill Tierney said. "This was a great learning experience for us."

DU's home opener is Saturday against Michigan.

DU Alums Trek To Madison For Hockey Games

(above) DU Alums were in the Kohl Center over the weekend

DU Lacrosse Opens Season Against Ohio State

(above) The journey begins on Sunday afternoon in Jacksonville, FL.
DU vs. Ohio State
Noon MT
TV: NBC Sports Network

The University of Denver men's lacrosse team will open the 2012 season in Florida on Sunday at EverBank Field, home of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. The Pioneers will take on ECAC-rival Ohio State at Noon MT.

Fans can watch the game live on NBC Sports Network, formerly Versus. Live Stats will be offered along with a live interactive in-game blog through CoverItLive, all through DenverPioneers.com.

DU 76 - Louisiana Monroe 57 FINAL

The University of Denver basketball team recorded its 20th win of the season for the first time ever playing D-1 hoops at Magness Arena on Saturday afternoon.  DU made 16 three-pointers to roll to a 76-57 victory.

DU wraps up the season next Sunday at home against North Texas.  A victory would clinch the #3 seed in the Sunbelt Tournament.

Wisconsin 5 - DU 2 FINAL

(above) Beat Denver buttons for sale in the Kohl Center
The University of Denver jumped out to a 1-0 lead early in the second period on Saturday night at the Kohl Center.  After that the Wisconsin Badgers went to work and came away with a relatively easy 5-2 victory.

DU 3 - Wisconsin 0 FINAL

(above) Great Brittain is back between the pipes and all is well in PioNation
The University of Denver continued a recent run of solid defense and timely goals to defeat the University of Wisconsin 3-0 on Friday night. DU improved to 14-3-3 all-time in the Kohl Center.

Sam Brittain recorded his first shutout this year after recently returning from offseason knee surgery.  He made 28 saves.

Luke Salazar started the scoring in the second period with an unassisted goal off of a turnover.

Jason Zucker returned from a recent injury and scored in third period. Nick Shore rounded out the scoring with a 170-foot backhanded empty netter.

DU remained in third place as the top five teams in the WCHA all won on Friday night.


Saturday Night Against UND - "Sold Out"

Tickets: DenverPioneers.com

No tickets remain for the North Dakota hockey game on Saturday night, Feb. 25th.

A limited number of "single" tickets remain for the Friday night encounter at Magness Arena in the $32 & $36 price range.

Tweets From Around PioNation

Its Gameday: DU @ Wisconsin

Puck drop is set for 6 PM MT on both nights at the Kohl Center. Friday's game will be televised live on FCS-Atlantic, while Saturday's game will be carried on FSN Wisconsin. Both games will be broadcast live via radio on Denver's Sports Station 102.3 ESPN. Live blog and audio is also available on www.DenverPioneers.com.

DU is 13-3-3 all time against the Badgers at the Kohl Center.
Latest TV Info:
The game tonight will be on Fox College Sports Atlantic (Denver-Comcast #413) at 6 PM MT.  Check local listings because FCS-Atlantic is available on most cable systems in their expanded sports tier. 

Saturday's game will be televised on FSN-Wisconsin (DirecTV #669).  Game is listed on DirecTV Channel Guide.

Denver Post Profiles Shawn Ostrow

by Mike Chambers

En route to Gwinnett, Ga., from Charleston, S.C., last Friday night, former University of Denver captain Kyle Ostrow was thankful to be in what is referred to as professional hockey's "bus league."

The first-year pro and member of the ECHL's Chicago Express was enjoying the ride along with teammates and former Pioneers Anthony Maiani and Peter Mannino. Thanks to live satellite mobile television on the bus, they were watching Shawn Ostrow lead DU to a 5-3 victory over the country's top-ranked team, the Minnesota Golden Gophers [read entire article].

Denver Post Profiles DU Lax Player Mark Matthews

(above) Mark Matthews will try to lead DU to the Promised Land this season
From: Denver Post
by Nick Groke

Mark Matthews could be excused for feeling full of himself after his scoring prowess last season led the University of Denver lacrosse team's shocking run to the NCAA semifinals.

But if he starts getting too comfortable as a star, DU coach Bill Tierney has a plan.

"If his head gets too big, I call his mom," said Tierney, the third-year Pioneers coach. "He's deathly afraid of his mother" [read entire article].

Mile High Hoops Blog: Three Home Games Left

by Brendon Loy

"Sometimes in life, you only get one shot."

That's what Denver head coach Joe Scott told his team before the Pioneers' high-profile home game against Middle Tennessee State on February 4, televised nationally on ESPN2 -- a first for Magness Arena [read entire article].

Jr. Pioneers Back In Quebec Intl Hockey Tourney

(above) The boys in Quebec

For the second year in a row, the Jr. Pioneers pee-wee hockey team advanced to the Quebec International Hockey Tournament in Quebec City.  Playing under the name Colorado Jr. Avalanche, after winning the regionals, the team is off to a 2-0-0 start.

On Friday night, fans can watch the third game of the tournament live on the big screen at Crimson & Gold Tavern near DU at 7:15 PM.

The Quebec City International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament is the largest ice hockey tournament in the world. Over 2,000 youth players (11-12 y.o. boys & girls) from over 16 countries compete annually. Held every February at the 15,000 seat Colisee Pepsi, it unofficially serves as the pee-wee World Championships.

Players who have competed in this tournament when they were younger include Wayne Gretzkey, Paul Stastny, Patrick Roy and Peter Senja.

NAHL Leading Scorer Commits To DU

Gabe Levin
Gabriel "Gabe" Levin [20 y.o. - 5'8 165 lbs], the NAHL's leading scorer, verbally committed to University of Denver of the WCHA for the 2012-13 season.

Originally from Marina Del Ray, California, Levin has played the last two seasons for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Over the past two seasons he has 102 assists in 98 games.

So far this season he has 14 goals, 60 assists and is +30.  He has recorded at least one point in 37 of the Ice Dogs 43 games.

His NAHL coach had this to say about Levin, "He can skate, his feet are his biggest asset and he’s got good hockey sense.  He knows where everyone is on the ice, knows how to read plays and understands his teammates.  Since he doesn’t put up a lot of goals, he may not get the credit that some other goal scorers do, but he is the key to our offense.”

He started playing youth hockey for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks and moved on to the California Titans program in Simi Valley, just north of Malibu. He is an excellent student and had been considering several Ivy League schools.
2012 Recruiting Class
F Tyler Pham (Indiana Ice, USHL)
D Dakota Mermis (Green Bay, USHL)
D Matt Van Voorhis (Sioux Falls, USHL)
F Garrett Allen (Des Moines, USHL)
D Nolan Zajac (Omaha, USHL)
F Quentin Shore (U.S. Under-18)
F Grant Arnold (Green Bay, USHL)
F Gabe Levin (Fairbanks, NAHL)

2013 Recruiting Class

F Brad Hawkinson (Lincoln Stars, USHL)
F Landon Smith (Cedar Rapids, USHL)
F Connor Chatham (U.S. Under-17)
F Ray Pigozzi (Chicago, USHL)
D Will Butcher (U.S. Under-17)
F Cody DePourcq (Penticton, BCHL)

2014 Recruiting Class

F Jared Fiegl (Colorado Rampage, U-16)
D Gage Ausmus (U.S. Under-17)
F Trevor Moore (Tri-Cities, USHL)

Chambers Tweet: DU Makes Surprise Roster Move

WAC May Be Raided By Mega-Conference


The University of Denver will join the Western Athletic Conference next season in several sports, most notably, basketball.  With Conference Comissioner Karl Benson jumping ship to head up DU's former conference, the Sunbelt, things are looking very unstable in the WAC.

Less than 24 hours have passed and rumors are swirling that the new "competitive agreement" formed by Conference USA and the Mountain West Conference could expand to include a total of 24 schools.

This agreement would require the addition of eight more schools, and probably means the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and Sun Belt Conferences are likely to be targeted (again) by this new mega-conference.

Perhaps, the time has come for the WAC to take a page from the "competitive agreement" playbook and make a preemptive strike to preserve their own conference and prevent further damage to their brand [read entire article].

Tyler Bozak & Jesse Martin Have Breakfast

Denver Post: Chris Udofia Has Blossomed At DU

From: Denver Post
by Irv Moss

If Chris Udofia flew under the radar on his way to his college basketball home, did he end up finding his best target anyway?

The University of Denver sophomore believes he did. In fact, he questions whether the Pioneers are actually under the radar anymore [read entire article].

Denver Post: DU Lax Opens Season On Sunday

(above) Jamie Faus will be counted on to lead the Pioneers
From: Denver Post
by Nick Groke

A year removed from streaking to the national semifinals — a shocking finish for a team that hosted the first-ever NCAA tournament game west of the Mississippi — the University of Denver men's lacrosse team has a tall task for its encore.

"Teams are going to come after us," Pioneers sophomore goalkeeper Jamie Faus said Tuesday, "because we're one of the big boys now" [read entire article].

DU To Set Up Premium Lacrosse Tailgating Area

The University of Denver’s Department for Athletics and Recreation has announced the opening of its newest tailgating venue, the “Lax Zone”, set to debut during the 2012 men’s lacrosse season.

The “Lax Zone,” will be located in the Ritchie Center surface parking lot and will serve as the premium tailgating experience for fans, with the hopes of creating the best home-field advantage possible while also branding Denver, Colo., as the lacrosse capital of the West.

The “Lax Zone” and will feature season-long reserved spaces for fans to host their friends and family and share in the Pioneer spirit prior to face-off. Fans who purchase a “Lax Zone” tailgating spot will receive two parking spaces just steps away from Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. Reservations to secure your spot are first come-first serve and the parking spaces are designated for the entire 2012 lacrosse season.

Reserve your spot now and be a part of another historic season as DU men’s lacrosse looks to improve on last season’s Final Four run. “Lax Zone” tailgating spots are just $300 for the entire season and will entitle each fan to their own personal tailgating area.

To secure your Denver Lacrosse “Lax Zone” space for this season, call (303) 871-3720.

Mayfield Named WCHA Rookie Of The Week

(above) DU's Scott Mayfield spent much of last weekend bottling up Minnesota forwards along the boards
From: WCHA.com

University of Denver defenseman Scott Mayfield, who contributed two assists, four hits and two blocked shots to help the Pioneers to a two-game home-ice sweep over league-leading and Minnesota last weekend, has been named Red Baron® WCHA Rookie of the Week.

A 6-4, 200-pound freshman from St. Louis, Mo., and a draftee of the NHL's New York Islanders, Mayfield assisted on teammate Jason Zucker's game-winning power-play goal at 4:02 of the third period last Friday evening at Magness Arena as Denver collected a 5-3 victory over the Golden Gophers. 

On Saturday night, Mayfield earned an assist on Nick Shore's third period tally that evened the game at 3-3 and catapulted DU on to a 4-3 overtime win. He quarterbacked Denver to a 3-for-10 effort on the power-play over the weekend and also fired four shots on goal.

As a rookie, Mayfield has seen action in 29 of the Pioneers' 30 games this season with eight points (2g, 6a).