News & Notes From Around PioNation

The University of Denver will hold a press conference today [Monday, April 15] at 11 AM MT to introduce Jim Montgomery as DU's eighth hockey coach. Log onto DenverPioneers.com. Things might get testy if the boys from the Denver Post show up.

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University of Denver junior Nick Shore signed a three-year entry level contract with the Los Angeles Kings over the weekend. Shore, 20, was selected by the Kings in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Shore joins Jussi Olkinuora and Scott Mayfield as DU players who have left school early to sign professional contracts this Spring. 

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University of Denver sophomore goalie Juho Olkinuora was named an AHCA/CCM All-American on Friday. Olkinuora enjoyed a breakout season as he posted a record of 13-6-5 while boasting a 2.35 GAA and a .927 save percentage.

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The University of Denver is raising tuition 3.95 percent next year & freezing faculty salaries after an unexpected budget shortfall. DU is blaming lower-than-expected enrollment at the undergraduate level and in four graduate programs, but speculation is mismanagement in a variety of areas is causing the budget crunch.  The budget shortfall spread to the Athletic Department this Spring and explains why every area is under the knife.

Jussi Olkinuora Signs With Winnipeg Jets

According to TSN the Winnipeg Jets signed University of Denver goaltender Juho Olkinuora to a free agent contract yesterday.  Olkinuora's unlikely rise from walk-on Free Agent to signing a professional contract within 20 months is the stuff of legends.

In January 2012, Coach George Gwozdecky told the Denver Post that finding Olkinuora was one of the greatest recruiting finds in his career.

"To pick up a goaltender of the quality that Jussi Olkinuora has given us is maybe the best recruiting, and evaluation, and identification, there was throughout all of last year and over a quite a few years," DU coach George Gwozdecky said. "That was an incredible find by Steve Miller and Derek Lalonde. Jussi has been tremendous for us."

Olkinuora's USHL statistics in Sioux Falls were unremarkable, but he had secured the starting goaltender job by the time the playoffs rolled around. Despite that, Olkinuora did not receive much interest from other colleges after the 2010-11 season.  He returned home to Finland to look a spot in the Finnish professional league.

When the University of Denver found out in the summer of 2011 that Sam Brittain's knee injury was far more serious than originally thought and would miss at least the first half of the 2011-12 season,  DU coaches frantically hit the phones.  Compounding the problem, DU's other goaltender Adam Murray had a history of groin injuries, the Pioneers were in a bind.

And perhaps the biggest issue.  DU had no scholarship money to offer Olkinoura.  Olkinoura would have to apply for student loans to cover his tuition and housing bills.

Last season, Olkinuora had beaten out Adam Murray for most of the starts and was splitting time with Brittain after he returned from the knee injury.

This season after the team instituted a three way goaltender competition, Olkinuora was clearly the leader of the pack and received almost all of the prime starts throughout the season.

News & Notes From Around PioNation

photo credit: Todd Christensen

The Denver Post previews the NCAA playoff game tonight in Manchester, New Hampshire.  Jussi Olkinoura will start in goal and the Pioneers appear rested, ready and roaring to go against the University of New Hampshire.

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The Denver Post reports that Coach Gwozdecky followed DU's 2004 practice schedule the past two weeks after DU's elimination from the WCHA playoffs.  He's hoping it pays dividends similar to the 2004 National Championship squad.

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Denver Post reporter Adiran Dater is covering the Pioneers in New Hamshire and it just so happens to be a homecoming for the scribe.  He used to cover the Pioneers during the Frank Serratore Era at DU and adds some nice recollections of watching hockey in the Granite State.

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Nick and Quentin Shore will be playing on the same line this weekend as DU trys to add some punch to its first line. Quentin will play left wing.

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Ticket sales have been brisk this weekend for the Manchester Regional that features DU, Wisconsin, Umass-Lowell and the University of New Hampshire.  Hockey East playoff champions Umass-Lowell is located less than 45 minutes away and they quickly sold out their ticket allotment and were looking for extra tickets.  UNH's Athletic Director Marty Scarano held a similar post at CC from 1996-2000.

WCHA Playoffs: CC 4 - DU 3 FINAL

From: Denver Post

Former walk-on goalie Juho Olkinuora climbed an improbable ladder to become the University of Denver's No. 1 goalie, but Sunday he fell to the depths of athletic despair in what could be the Pioneers' season-ending loss. 

Olkinuora scored on himself midway through the third period in what turned out to be the game-winning goal in a 4-3 victory for rival Colorado College in the deciding Game 3 of the WCHA first-round playoff series at Magness Arena [read entire article].

Pairwise Rankings

Denver 5 - Colorado College 3 FINAL

(above) It was a big night for the 303 as DU defeated Colorado College

Photo Credit: Todd Chistensen
 
Denver Post Game Recap 

Pairwise Rankings

Boxscore

Sophomore goalie Juho Olkinuora had 38 saves and five players scored for the University of Denver, as the Pioneers defeated Colorado College 5-3 on Friday night at Magness Arena.  The victory kept DU firmly ensconced in the middle of the projected NCAA field in the Pairwise Rankings.

Denver 2 - Minnesota 0 FINAL

"The players got an earful. They may not feel better, but I do. I am agitated. I am really disappointed. I do not get on them very often, but you know what, the expectation of playing hard is a given. That is a given. That has to be the foundation.”

 -UM head Coach Don Lucia

The University of Denver went up to Minnesota and came away with a hard fought 2-0 victory on Friday night.  Shawn Ostrow was the hero scoring within the first minute of the third period.

DU's penalty kill unit was fantastic, killing all five Gopher plays while only allowing two shots. They also mustered several solid short handed scoring opportunities and had 8 shots in goal while shorthanded.

Jussi Olkinoura earned the shutout.

Denver Post Game Recap

Boxscore

Pairwise Rankings

WCHA Standings

CBS' Eye On Hockey Lauds Olkinoura's Stick Save

(above) Jussi Olkinoura's amazing Stick save on Friday night

From: CBS Eye On Hockey
by Chris Peters

You might recall the dazzling save Jake Allen made for the St. Louis Blues earlier this week. Well, University of Denver goaltender Juho Olkinuora might steal the title for stick save of the year. 

With Denver clinging to a 5-4 lead, Olkinuora made a big pad save on a point shot, but the rebound went right to the stick of North Dakota's Corban Knight with a completely open net. 

Consider that Olkinuora was still recovering from giving up that rebound on the point shot and that Corban Knight, a Florida Panthers draft pick who has been on the CBSSports.com Hobey Baker Award Watch on more than one occasion is one of the elite players in college hockey. 

The reflexes and athleticism (and maybe a little luck) it takes to make a save like that is just mind boggling. 

Allen's was pretty great, but Olkinoura had to make two saves in quick succession and essentially saved the game for his team. Denver held on to beat North Dakota 5-4 and get a huge WCHA victory heading towards the postseason.

Chambers Blog Looks At Juho Olkinoura

(above) Juho Olkinuora will likely get the start on Friday night

Mike Chambers of the Denver Post looks at DU sophomore goalie Jussi Olkinuora this week.  Olkinuora is pumped to play the rival CC Tigers this weekend, on Friday (Denver) and Saturday (Colorado Springs) [read entire article].

Denver 3 - Minnesota Duluth 0 FINAL

Juho Olkinuora recorded his fourth career shutout as the University of Denver rolled to a 3-0 victory over Minnesota-Duluth on Friday night.

Larkin Jacobson, Joey LaLeggia and Nolan Zajac scored for DU.

Duluth News Tribune Game Recap

Boxscore

WCHA Standings

Pairwise Rankings

St. Cloud Times: Olkinuora Remains Hot

(above) The St Cloud Times profiles Juho Olkinuora

From: St. Cloud Times

by Mick Hatten

St. Cloud State has struggled to score goals in its last four games, scoring eight goals. The Huskies will look to get its offense going this weekend against one of the hottest goaltenders in the country.In his last eight starts, sophomore Juho Olkinuora is 4-0-4 with a 1.56 goals-against average and a .950 save percentage [Read entire article].

Denver 3 - Nebraska Omaha 3 FINAL OT

(above) Boone pimps his @DU_Boone Twitter account during the Root Sports broadcast on Saturday night

The University of Denver and Nebraska-Omaha skated to a 3-3 tie on Saturday night at Magness Arena.  DU goaltender Jussi Olkinuora improved his record to 7-1-4 on the season.

Zac Larraza, Shawn Ostrow & Paul Phillips scored for DU.

DU remains tied for first place in the WCHA with UNO but eight teams remain within two wins of first place.  The Gophers, North Dakota & St. Cloud State have two games in hand and are just one or two points out of first place.

Denver Post Game Recap

Boxscore

WCHA Standings

Pairwise Rankings

DU 2 - Cornell 1 FINAL

The University of Denver used a third period goal by Larkin Jacobson to sweep Cornell University on Saturday night at Magness Arena.  It was Jacobson's first collegiate goal in a season and a half at DU.

Jacobson [6'1 215 lbs.] had been used primarily as a checking forward at DU, but his first goal turned out to be huge.  He is also the step-son of NHL Player Ruslan Fedontenko.

Cornell scored in the first minute and then DU goaltender Juho Olkinuora held them scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Daniel Doremus opened the scoring for DU with just 45 seconds remaining in the first period.

DU remained at #9 in the Pairwise Rankings and will play WCHA leading Nebraska-Omaha next weekend at Magness Arena. 

Denver Post Game Recap

Ithica Journal Game Recap

Boxscore

WCHA Standings

Pairwise Rankings

DU 5 - Cornell 1 FINAL

(above) Quentin Shore scored two goals against Cornell

As  turmoil swirled around the University of Denver hockey program this week, the players appeared not to notice as the Pioneers rolled to a 5-1 victory over Cornell University.

DU jumped out to an early lead, scored three power play goals and once again received another stellar effort from the Juho Olkinuora in the nets.

DU received goals from Ty Loney, Shawn Ostrow, Nick Shore and Quentin Shore scored twice.  David Makowski & Chris Knowlton had two assists each.

Scott Mayfield recieved a game misconduct for roughing & grabbing the facemask and was ejected with 5 seconds remaining in the game.  Since he did not receive a game disqualification, he will be back in the lineup tomorrow night.

Denver Post Game Recap

Boxscore

WCHA Standings

Pairwise Rankings

Denver 6 - Boston University 0 FINAL

The University of Denver hockey team started off the second half of the season the same way they began it.  Scoring plenty of goals goals and playing stifling defense on Saturday night at Magness Arena.

Shawn Ostrow, Zac Larraza, Quinten Shore, Nick Shore, Chris Knowlton & Nolan Zajac scored for DU.

Pioneers goaltender Juho Olkinoura recorded his third career shutout while BU was shutout for the first time in 125 games.  The longest such streak in college hockey.

DU Lineup

Forwards
Loney - N. Shore - Knowlton
Larraza - Ostrow - Doremus
Jacobson - Q. Shore - Tabrum
Levin - Arnold

Defense
Phillips - Mayfield
D. Mermis - LaLeggia
Zajac - Makowski
Didier

Goal
Juho Olkinoura

Brittain
Murray

Denver Post Game Recap

Boxscore

WCHA Standings

Pairwise Rankings

Denver Post: Olkinuora Stepping Up For DU

(above) Jussi Olkinuora leads the WCHA in GAA & Save %

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers
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Given that the NCAA allows only 18 scholarships for a Division I hockey team, carrying three scholarship goalies is one more than necessary, or needed, for most programs.

But not if you're the Denver Pioneers, a.k.a. Goaltending U.

Sophomore Juho "Jussi" Olkinuora, who joined DU as a walk-on in July 2011, is now the team's top goalie. The 22-year-old Finn has continually outplayed senior Adam Murray and junior Sam Brittain since agreeing to serve as Murray's backup when Brittain underwent major knee surgery after his sensational freshman season in 2010-11 [read entire article].

Twitter: Adam Murray To Start In Goal Tonight

(above) Mike Chambers of the Denver Post announced that Adam Murray will start for DU tonight

Video: Juho Olkinuora Save From Friday Night

Denver 2 - North Dakota 2 OT FINAL

The University of Denver and North Dakota played to a 2-2 tie on Friday night in Grand Forks.  Though DU never trailed, North Dakota carried much of the play in the last half of the game.

Late heroics by Jussi Olkinuora, including an incredible soccer style diving save, kept DU from losing the game.

Chris Knowlton & Scott Mayfield scored for the Pioneers.

Grand Forks Herald Game Recap

Boxscore

WCHA Standings

Pairwise Rankings

Jussi Olkinuora To Start In Grand Forks On Friday

DU 1 - Wisconsin 1 FINAL

The University of Denver hockey team might want to consider rolling 6 on 5 on Friday nights.  For the second consecutive weekend DU went over 58 minutes without scoring a goal and then lifted the goalie and Joey LaLeggia scored with an extra attacker to force overtime.

This time DU managed to hold on in the extra frame to force a tie against the University of Wisconsin at Magness Arena.  Once again the extra period featured plenty of drama.  DU had sustained pressure on a power play, but as soon as the penalty ended, Sconnie sprung a fast break and Jussi Olkinuora saved the game with a fantastic save.

Denver Post Game Recap

Boxscore

WCHA Standings

Pairwise Rankings