FINAL: UAA 3 - DENVER 2 OT

On Saturday afternoon the University of Denver fell to Alaska-Anchorage 3-2 in overtime.

UAA's Matt Bailey scored on a 2-on-1 at 3:45 into overtime to hand the Pioneers their second straight overtime loss. Denver lost by the same score to Goal Rush host Alaska Nanooks in Friday’s late game.

The Seawolves fell behind 2-1 early in the third period when Denver’s Joey LaLeggia let a rocket go from the top of the left faceoff circle that beat UAA goaltender Michael Matyas and stuck in the top of the net.

But the Seawolves responded with the tying goal.

Hubbs fired a shot from the right faceoff circle that was stopped by Pioneer goalie Evan Cowley, but he left a rebound. Scott Allen was in perfect position to tap the puck in at 11:40 of the third period.

After two Pioneers fell down in the neutral zone, UAA's Zack Rassell broke into the offensive zone and fired a shot that snuck though Cowley’s five hole.

The Pioneers struck back midway through the third. On the rush, Nolan Zajac found David Makowksi wide open in the slot, and Makowski’s shot beat Matyas on the glove side.

The win marks the second time that the Seawolves have beaten a ranked opponent this year. They opened the season with a win against then No. 10 Quinnipaic in UAA’s Kendall Hockey Classic at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage last weekend.
.

Boxscore

FINAL: UAF 3 - Denver 2 OT

The University of Alaska scored in overtime to stun the University of Denver in Fairbanks on Friday night.

Gabe Levin and Matt Marcinew scored for DU to stake the Pioneers to a 2-0 lead, but DU's lack of depth came back to haunt Denver in the third period and overtime.

Trailing 2-0 until the last minute of the second period, the Nanooks completed their comeback with Garrick Perry's strike with just 25.2 seconds left in OT to secure a 3-2 victor.

DU will face UAA on Saturday night.

Boxscore

Denver 7 - Alaska Anchorage 1 FINAL

The University of Denver hockey team rolled to a comfortable 7-1 victory over the University of Alaska Anchorage at Magness Arena on Friday night.  The win moved the Pioneers into a tie for 4th Place in the WCHA & tied for 7th place in the Pairwise Rankings.

Daniel Doremus, Nick Shore (1 PP), Zac Larraza (1 even, 1 shortie), Matt Tabrum, Shawn Ostrow & David Makowski scored for DU.

Denver Post Game Recap

Boxscore

Pairwise Rankings

WCHA Standings

UAA Series Will Determine Playoff Fate For DU

(above) DU's post season route will be determined this weekend

From: Denver Post
by Adrian Dater

Death, taxes and the University of Denver getting home ice for the first round of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs.

They have been things you could count as guarantees, along with DU winning at least 20 games every season.

The latter two are in jeopardy for the Pioneers this season, which has caused considerable consternation among their many dedicated fans [read entire article].

DU Hockey Game Start Moved To 11 AM MT

(above) No mention if DU will be serving Brunch to bleary eyed fans on Sunday morning

DU Press Release Announcing Time Change

The University of Denver ice hockey team's game on Sunday, March 10 at Magness Arena against Alaska Anchorage has been rescheduled for an 11:07 AM (MT) start time.

Compounding the problem, Sunday is the first day of Daylight Savings Time.

Sunday's game, which is the final contest of the regular season for both teams, was originally slated to begin at 12:07 p.m. (MT), but will now start an hour earlier at 11:07 a.m. (MT), to accommodate Alaska Anchorage's travel plans.

FREE HOCKEY TICKETS FOR SUNDAY'S GAME

Ticket demand for DU's Final WCHA game is soft, so DU is giving tickets away.

The University of Denver is offering free tickets to this Sunday's game (March 10 - 11 AM) against Alaska-Anchorage.

Here's how it works:

Go to:
http://www.denverpioneers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18600&ATCLID=205242712

Click on "enter promo code" and enter: SEASONTIX

Choose Sunday's game and you'll be asked if you want the $18 seats or the free seats. [CC alums, chose the $18 seats] - [DU fans, if you want more than two tickets together you can get two FREE tix and then buy additional tickets for $18].

There is a limit of two free tickets and there is a $4 charge for ordering on the internet.

The offer is good while seats last.

Odds Of DU Winning The MacNaughton Cup

(above) According to statistical probability DU has a 4% chance to win the MacNaughton Trophy

Good news.  

With DU's sweep over UAA this past weekend, the Pioneers have clinched at least 11th place in the WCHA this season.  Thanks to PlayoffStatus.com you can see the odds of where DU will finish in the WCHA Standings this season.  DU would need some help and win almost all its remaining games to capture the MacNaughton Cup this season (4% probability).

On another note, UAA last swept DU on Dec. 11-12, 1998 in Anchorage.  Since that time DU has swept the Seawolves 12 times.  Ask the UAA Blogger, DU is one tough cookie to sweep.

Saturday: DU 6 - UAA 3 FINAL

(above) The Goal Czar scored one goal, had five assists and was +6 this weekend

Saturday night marked the long awaited return of injured goaltender Sam Brittain. DU assured that his return would be triumphant with a 6-3 victory over Alaska-Anchorage.

A four goal explosion in the first period paced the Pioneers to another series sweep over the Seawolves. The win moved DU into third place in the WCHA.

DU now begins a grueling ten-game stretch run that includes series against Colorado College, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Nebraska-Omaha.

DU Lines

Loney - Drew Shore - Salazar
Zucker - Nick Shore - Knowlton
Mermis - Ostrow - Jackson
Jacobson - Tabrum - Dewhurst

Phillips - Mayfield
LaLeggia - Lee
Ryder - Didier

Brittain - Murrray

Boxscore
.
Anchorage Daily News Game Racap

.

WCHA Standings
.
Pairwise Rankings

DU 4 - Alaska Anchorage 2 FINAL

(above) Scott Mayfield nudges UAA's Brett Cameron onto the goalpost

Anchorage Daily News Photo Slideshow

Adam Murray made 30 saves to lead DU to a 4-2 victory over Alaska Anchorage on Friday night.

Ty Loney, Nick Shore, Drew Shore & Luke Salazar scored for DU.

Pairwise Rankings

.

WCHA Standings

.

Box Score

.

Anchorage Daily News Game Recap

.

DU's Lines
Forwards
Loney - Drew Shore - Salazar
Zucker - Nick Shore - Knowlton
Dewhurst - Ostrow - Jackson
Jacobson - Tabrum - Olszewski

Defense
Phillips - Mayfield
LaLeggia - Lee
Ryder - Didier

Goal
Murray - Olkinuora

Get The Latest Officially UnOfficial Mascot Shirts

(above) Sweatshirts & T-shirts are available

This season when you're trying to decide what to wear to your favorite DU sporting event, consider the latest in Boonewear Apparel.  What says, "Sure, I love DU, but I wish the Chancellor would listen to the People and make Boone the official mascot" more than these elegantly simple designs.

These shirts are the only shirts officially endorsed by the Boone mascot.  All proceeds will pay for Boone's trip to Alaska this winter [Jan 27-28] to give those stupid UAA Bloggers a piece of his mind.  Get ready for a Donald meltdown.

Look for Boone on Saturday night before the game at the BBQ.

DU's 2011-12 Scheduling Tidbits & Rumors

DU will host two exhibition games to open the 2011-12 season.  DU will play the US National Development-Under 18 Team that will likely feature Jarrod Mermis' younger brother Dakota.

Like last season DU will play a Canadian university on the same weekend.

Then DU will travel to Boston the following weekend of Oct. 14-15 to play Boston College and Boston University.

Denver will play WCHA opponents Nebraska Omaha, Bemidji State & Colorado College in home and away series.

The Pioneers will host North Dakota, Minnesota, Minnesota Duluth and Minnesota State at Magness Arena.

Oct. 28-29 DU will travel to Michigan Tech

The Denver Cup will be held around Thanksgiving and include Princeton, Providence and Enrico Blasi's Miami Red Hawks.

Over Christmas Break DU will travel to St. Cloud on Dec. 16-17.

Unlike many previous campaigns, DU's trip to Anchorage will be in January (27th & 28th).

Finally DU will travel to Wisconsin on Feb. 17-18.  I believe the DU Hockey Alumni Association will Roadtrip to Madison that weekend.

WCHA Final 5 Kicks Off Today

The 2011 Red Baron WCHA Final Five, which gets underway at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN. on Thursday will feature and defending Final Five/Broadmoor Trophy champion North Dakota, Denver, Minnesota Duluth, Colorado College, Alaska Anchorage and Bemidji State.

#4 UMD vs. #10 Bemidji - Thursday 2:30 PM MT

 #8 UAA vs. #6 Colorado College - Thursday 6 PM MT

  -----------

#2 DU will play UMD/Bemidji winner  - Friday 1 PM MT

 #1 UND will play UAA/ CC winner - Friday 6 PM MT
----------
WCHA Championship Game - Saturday 6 PM MT
----------
NCAA Hockey Tourney Selection Show
ESPN - Sunday 9:30 AM MT

All games will be televised by Fox Sports-North and FSN-Rocky Mountain. The games will be produced in high-def by Minnesota Wild Broadcasting. Anthony LaPanta will handle play-by-play duties for the tournament. Casey Hankinson will serve as color analyst on Thursday and Saturday and Kevin Gorg will partner with LaPanta on Friday. Gorg will report rinkside Thursday and Saturday and Jim Rich will take over those duties on Friday.

Denver 5 - Alaska Anchorage 1 FINAL

(above) Boone & this future Pioneer hockey player were featured on the Fox broadcast last night

The University of Denver rolled to a 5-2 victory over the University of Alaska-Anchorage in Magness Arena on Saturday night.

UAA jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but a three goal explosion late in the first period sealed the game. Jarrod "Never Nervous" Mermis scored his first career goal from a beautiful pass from Beau Bennett to open the scoring. Two minutes later Anthony Maiani scored a shorthanded goal that seemed to break the back of the Seawolves. 23 seconds later Beau Bennett added a highlight reel goal.

Kyle Ostrow scored early in the second period, that capped a stunning four goals in under five minute explosion. Jason Zucker nailed the coffin shut with a third period tally.

DU stands all alone in first place the WCHA.

Box Score

Denver Post Game Recap

Anchorage Daily News Game Recap

Pairwise Rankings

WCHA Standings

Denver 3 - Alaska Anchorage 2 FINAL

The University of Denver scored the third fastest goal in school history and held Alaska Anchorage at arms length for most of the evening, before prevailing 3-2. Kyle Ostrow provided the early spark on a great pass from Anthony Maiani 9 seconds into the game.

Kyle Ostrow added a second goal and Beau Bennett recorded the game winner in the third period. Anchorage native Adam Murray recorded his fourth consecutive victory for the Pioneers in goal.

Thanks to Nebraska-Omaha's 8-4 victory at North Dakota, DU leapfrogged the Sioux and moved into first place in the WCHA.

Box Score

Denver Post Game Recap

Anchorage Daily News Game Recap

WCHA Standings

Pairwise Rankings

Coach Gwozdecky Live Chat On Thursday

Recap Of Chat With Coach Gwozdecky

A Live Online Chat with University of Denver hockey head coach George Gwozdecky was held today. Fans asked the two-time National Coach of the Year questions about this weekend's series against Alaska Anchorage and the Pioneer hockey program.

DU 2 - UAA 2 FINAL

The University of Denver and Alaska-Anchorage skated to a 2-2 tie on Saturday night. DU was cruising to an apparent 2-1 victory, when UAA scored with eight minutes remaining.

DU breaks for Christmas, while Drew Shore and Jason Zucker head off to the USA World Junior Tryout Camp.

Box Score

Anchorage Daily News Game Recap

Pairwise Rankings

WCHA Standings

1st Period
UAA Goal - Kwas (Grant, Parkinson) [Power Play]
DU Goal - Donovan (Salazar)

2nd Period
DU Goal - Jackson (Maiani, N. Shore)

3rd Period
UAA Goal - Bruijsten (Parkinson, Leinweber)

Overtime
No scoring

Forwards
Zucker - D. Shore - Salazar
Maiani - N. Shore - Jackson(A)
Knowlton - K. Ostrow(C) - S. Ostrow
Dewhurst - Olszewski

Defense
Donovan - Nutini(A)
Ryder - Makowski
Phillips - Wrenn
Lee

Goaltenders
Brittain - Murray

DU 5 - UAA 3 FINAL

(above) DU's Jason Zucker scores in the first period Friday night against UAA

Anchorage Daily News Photo Slideshow

The University of Denver moved into a second place tie in the WCHA standings with a 5-3 victory over the University of Alaska Anchorage on Friday night.

DU jumped off to a 2-0 first period lead. UAA tied the score at 2-2 with a strong second period.

Chris Knowlton scored his first goal of the season in the third period. It was a big goal leveling the game at 3-3. From that point on DU controlled the game and the inevitable game winner was a beautiful tape to tape power play goal by Jason Zucker from John Lee and Nick Shore.

Adam Murray got the victory in the nets for DU.

Box Score

Anchorage Daily News Game Recap

WCHA Standings

Pairwise Rankings

1st Period
DU Goal - Zucker (Salazar, Wrenn)
DU Goal - D. Shore (Zucker, Ryder) [Shorthanded]

2nd Period
UAA Goal - Grant (McLeod)
UAA Goal - Bailey (Gellert, Haddard)

3rd Period
UAA Goal - Grant (Warner, Kwas) [Power Play]
DU Goal - Knowlton (Makowski, Donovan)
DU Goal - Zucker (Lee, N. Shore) [Power Play]
DU Goal - Salazar [Empty Net]

Fowards
Zucker-D. Shore-Salazar
Maiani-N. Shore-Jackson
Knowlton-K. Ostrow-S. Ostrow
Mermis-Dewhurst

Defensemen
Donovan-Nutini
Ryder-Makowski
Phillips-Wrenn
Lee

Goaltenders
Murray & Brittain

Chambers Blog: Murray Starts In Net Tonight

Mike Chambers Blog has all the details on DU goaltender Adam Murray, who gets back in the goaltender rotation tonight against Alaska-Anchorage.

Earlier in the week we mentioned that tonight's game against UAA would be broadcast on a tape delayed basis at 10 AM MST on Saturday. According to this NHL.com Schedule that appears to be the case, however my DirectTV Guide shows Minnesota vs. Minnesota-Duluth. Tune in to find out I guess.

If they do show the DU vs. UAA game, the NHL Network will replay the comedy special Tiger Pride: Eight Decades of CC Hockey immediately afterwards. Should be good for a laugh or two.

UAA Giving Away Free Tickets To DU Series

UAA Fan Blog has a blurb today with a link to Ticketmaster. Fans in Anchorage can can go online and "buy" up to four tickets each night of the UAA-DU series for only the $3.50 handling charge. That's 87 cents per ticket.

We went online to see where in the arena the tickets were available. Section 114R, Row 7, Seats 3-6...Center Ice seats on the 7th row.

Denver Post: Beau Bennett Injury Update

(above) The Denver Post has an update on Beau Bennett's injury

Mike Chambers of the Denver Post has up to date information about Beau Bennett's injury obtained during a Wednesday morning interview with the star forward.

The University of Denver hockey team departed for Anchorage this afternoon and will arrive at midnight after a layover in Seattle. DU will practice on Thursday afternoon for the series this weekend at UAA.