The University of Denver was coasting to a seemingly certain victory on Saturday night. Holding a slim 2-1 lead with 2:30 left in the game and a two minute power play, things were looking good for the Pioneers.
But a crucial breakdown led to a three on two shorthanded breakaway and the Seawolves converted in regulation.
In overtime DU again had a power play but were unable to convert. After several near misses, UAA finally buried the puck and the Pioneers were finished.
First Star: Curtis Leinweber (Alaska Anchorage)But a crucial breakdown led to a three on two shorthanded breakaway and the Seawolves converted in regulation.
In overtime DU again had a power play but were unable to convert. After several near misses, UAA finally buried the puck and the Pioneers were finished.
Box Score
WCHA Standings
Pairwise Formula
Denver Post game recap
USCHO.com game recap
Anchorage Daily News game recap
Second Star: Bryce Christianson (Alaska Anchorage)
Third Star: Mat Robinson (Alaska Anchorage)
23 comments:
Where was the defense in the last part of the games...to many breakaways...too many mental errors.
Alaska out hustled and played DU, they deserved this victory.
I've got the second half knot in my stomach again...
Was Chambers and Rizzo at the game together? Did anyone see where they were sitting? Were they drinking the big beers or the little beers?
A stinging bitter defeat tonight. Losing at home to the 9th place team is really tough to swallow. Once again, DU made very costly mistakes and had mental lapses. After a strong outing last night DU was not sharp tonight. That said, congratulations to UAA. They had a tough 1st period but weathered the storm, were opportunistic, and won the game with superior effort at the end. DU was outplayed and didn't deserve to win.
January was a month to forget for the Pios. However, they still find themselves clinging to 1st place in the WCHA. Up next: 5 straight road games, starting with a tough series next weekend against Duluth. I remain optimistic, but I think DU faces a stern test to maintain their place in the standings.
Twister--I'm glad you remain optimistic. This was an ugly loss! DU's work ethic is bipolar. If we give up as many odd man rushes as we did tonight against a team with as weak of a transition game as UAA, I'm not feeling nearly as optimistic. The PP goes 0-9 and gives up an incredibly stupid shortie to send it to the extra frame. We had 3 minutes to go all we had to do was work the perimeter and play calm, smart, team-oriented hockey. If you can't do that in the second half against almost the worst PK team in all of college hockey you've got major issues and I think we do. The question is and it's been the question since Ohio State was here in October (I think) how will this team respond to this latest adversity? I think we've got some weird leadership and chemistry issues that are going to hold us back. I hope I'm wrong, I really do. I would have been (and coach said this too) fine with a tie. It's incredible we had so much more talent on that ice and in the end it was lack of mental intensity and a complete disregard for the team-centered approach needed to get the W that got in the way. We beat ourselves.
I give a ton of credit to UAA, after the 2nd they played gritty, with heart and never gave up. Plane and simple DU acted like they didn't want this game and UAA did.
DU should take a few pointers from UAA on crashing the net, because I saw them trying to make things look fancy and perfect again.
The biggest problems with DU right now are the giving up odd man rushes and a poor power play which has been an issue all year. I think they miss Bozak and Martin up the middle too.
I also think there needs to be better leadership by the coaches and upperclassmen, as the team is not playing to the level that they are capable of playing.
Talk about blown opportunities. Sloppy defensive play and a subsequent epic collapse. As I watched the game on TV I could see the wheels falling off of this train in the last few minutes and it was disheartening.
A golden opportunity to move up in the Pairwise with the Michigan loss is wasted. There is also now a major logjam at the top-middle standings in the WCHA and things are wide open whereas DU could have had a 4 point lead over Wisc. if they would have won.
As usual Magness was like a morgue in terms of fan support. This despite what appeared to be a fairly full house. You could literally have heard a pin drop after the tying goal was scored shorthanded.
The only postive is that the same type of thing happened to a number of other WCHA teams this weekend (Minny gettng swept, UND losing on Fri. Wisc. losing on Sat.). These teams/players all seem to relish making things difficult for themselves when they could take the easier route by protecting a lead and just sealing the deal.
"As usual Magness was like a morgue in terms of fan support. This despite what appeared to be a fairly full house."
Very true. I think the first Let's Go DU chant was in the OT! It was really quiet from the second on--the calm before the storm. Not a full house at all. Friday was 5k this had to be less.
Full credit to UAA. Hockey is a game of desire and you could tell they wanted it more.
DU is in first place and the crowd support and enthusiasm is pathetic. The music and atmosphere doesn't match a college game night experience. Compare Magness this weekend to UND last weekend, Mankato on Friday or Minneapolis last night. Bring back Boone, play Colorado themed music, connect with the fans and get the band in there. Get rid of that plastic techno funk crap they play all the time.
Its no wonder the team plays with no energy, they get no lift from the crowd.
Bring back Miller! Bring back Miller!
Magness Man,
I agree with a lot of what you're saying. DU's inconsistency both in terms of effort and execution drives me nuts. I feel as though we've seen this pattern in years past (especially since the back to back titles), but this year especially we seem to have a real Jekyll and Hyde team. I guess I remain optimistic because I've seen what this team is capable of when they play up to their potential.
Looking at the season thus far, there have been some bad and very bad losses. Not because of the L, but because of how they lost. The 2nd game vs Ohio State, game 1 vs St. Cloud, game 1 vs Minnesota, the game vs Boston, game 1 vs UND, and then last night. I would also throw in the game vs Holy Cross as a downer. It seems that in the majority of those games DU was not prepared mentally to battle for 60 minutes or came out flat or made stupid mistakes or whatever. That's 8 out of 27 games total in which DU has not performed to their potential, in my opinion. That's almost 1/3 of the season. Every team has a few mulligans throughout the year, but DU has had way too many already.
I'm not really sure where to point the finger. Leadership? coaching? chemistry? lack of gritty players? Probably a combination. I would say overall DU is too much flash and not enough fire. Lots of skill and speed but not enough grit. I think if this season ends without a playoff berth the program and coaches need to reevaluate the type of recruits they are bringing in. The draft picks are great but something seems to be missing right now.
I would add too that the crowds have been lousy. Not just in terms of numbers but also noise. I can't believe our fans can't get more excited.....
College hockey is one of the best, most exciting sports out there. Too many folks at Magness are there to hobnob and socialize. I guess here in Denver, though, with all of the options for entertainment, DU hockey is a small fish in a big pool, at least for the average sports fan. That doesn't excuse the poor student turnout, though.
Twister,
Has the ADept tried like some type of "give away night", you know like free hats, free t-shrits, free hotdogs and coke... to try and boost attendance? How about a special alumni night?
Yes. You need a band too, it just adds to the college atmosphere.
Just my 2-cents worth.
Listen to the audio of George's post game comments...you can tell he doesn't have any answers as to what happened.
I agree about the crowd at Magness but this team should be able to perform despite the lack of crowd enthusiasm. This isn't pee wee hockey
I agree with that last comment. If the band ever played anything good, it would be worth having over the music.
Interesting twist, though. Wisconsin doesn't move up, but North Dakota climbs back up. Bittersweet I guess.
AA had two or three of their better players out and had six walk ons play this weekend. DU got beat by walk-ons. Looks like things went from bad to worse.
I thought the drum line from Friday night was pretty good... it seemed to add a little more to the atmoshpere.
It's pathetic that the students can't come out and support the #1 team of their school. But then again, whenever they try to get something going someone always ruins the fun for them... like the Bring Back Boone movement, or something as simple as bringing cow bells to the game.
I do my part, but I'm pretty sure I'm the only one in section 18.
There is no sense of urgency on this team. There are way too many players who know their spots are safe. They know they will play no matter what effort they put out. There are guys on this team who can play the physical game, but are rarely given a chance to play. About time that changes, or expect a bunch more of the same.
There is still a lot of hockey to be played. If Denver takes 3-4 points from UMD this weekend we can put the loss to UAA in the rearview mirror. Calm down people--we still have a first place team.
DU doesn't have a good crowd, because you have that Bizzo, Rizzo, working in the sports department... Isn't she the one who said something about UND's crowd being too loud?? lol
Brett B...hardy har. Rizzo is an attractive reporter. Sioux fans aren't used to seeing women that have teeth and anything less than full beards. Thus their reaction was a little over the top. Hopefully you understand, slapnuts.
Rizzo does not work for Denver - she is employed by Foz Sports Rockly Mountain as a sideline reporter for many college and pro sports games.
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