WCHA PlayoffsGoaltending Key To Playoff Series

From: Rocky Mountain News
by Pat Rooney

The leader of the University of Denver hockey team believes the Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs essentially are won or lost by goal-tenders.

Of the five WCHA series that begin tonight, none will match opposing goaltenders with the sort of postseason pedigrees boasted by the netminders for DU and defending national champion Wisconsin.

When the Pioneers and Badgers begin a best-of-three first- round series at Magness Arena tonight, the spotlight squarely will be on Wisconsin's Brian Elliott and the Pioneers' tandem of Glenn Fisher and Peter Mannino.

"Peter and Glenn have been sensational for us this season," said DU coach George Gwozdecky, who indicated that each of his veteran goaltenders will get a start in the first two games of the series.

"At times, they have stolen games for us. This is a goaltender's tournament. I think both Glenn and Peter shine and are at their best when everything is on the line. At this time of year, when the spotlight is magnified and every play is critical, that's when your true go-to guys really shine. And there's no question that those two are part of that go-to group we look to at this time of year."

Elliott, a Hobey Baker Award finalist when he helped lead the Badgers to the national title last year, is one of only seven goaltenders in the nation to post at least four shutouts this season. DU and Wisconsin have seen their goaltenders at their best in the teams' head-to-head matchups this season.

Fisher produced a 27-save shutout Nov. 10 at Wisconsin that helped spark DU's two-game sweep of the Badgers. Elliott made amends against Fisher on Jan. 6 at Magness, turning in a 33- save shutout that allowed Wisconsin to salvage a series split.

Not to be outdone, Mannino has gone 4-0-1 with a .929 saves percentage against the Badgers. All three goaltenders are ranked in the top four in the WCHA in saves percentage.

"They are the defending national champions and we've had four great battles against them this year," Gwozdecky said. "We were fortunate to come out on top in three of them. We know their strength is in goal in Brian Elliott. We know they play extremely hard defensively and are very physical, and they are going to play that way against us. In turn, we have great confidence in our two great goaltenders."

Perhaps just as important for the Pioneers is that they finally got their offense on track in the regular-season finale Saturday at Colorado College. After suffering consecutive shutouts and going a school-record 136 minutes, 56 seconds without a goal, the Pioneers scored five goals in about 43 minutes to rally for a tie.

For a team that relies heavily on rookies for offense, that scoring burst might provide a timely confidence boost as the Pioneers take aim at the nation's fourth- ranked scoring defense.

"If there was a time to come out of it, it was definitely then," DU freshman Tyler Ruegsegger said. "No one wants to go through those times. We finally drew a line and said, 'Enough is enough.' Hopefully, we can keep the momentum we had at the end of that game."

DU's Playoff Hopes On The Line Tonight

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

(left) JD Corbin returns to night and will play on the same line as Rakhshani & Gifford

DENVER - Forgive George Gwozdecky for not making sense.

"The playoffs are here before the playoffs arrive," the University of Denver coach said.

To interpret, the Pioneers' NCAA Tournament fate could depend on how they fare in their final four regular-season games, because each game is against a team on DU's heels in the all-important Pairwise Rankings.

Finishing 4-0 would get DU into the NCAA Tournament and gain the Pioneers an automatic West Regional berth at the Pepsi Center. Going 2-2 or worse could lead to the Pioneers' second consecutive omission from the NCAA Tournament after winning it all in 2004 and 2005.

"Not making it last year will be a big motivation for these last four games," DU junior center Ryan Dingle said. "Believe me, it has been discussed."

The stretch begins tonight against North Dakota, which brings an 11-game unbeaten streak into the two- game Western Collegiate Hockey Association series at Magness Arena. The Pioneers finish with a home- and-home WCHA series against Colorado College on March 2 (Denver) and March 3 (Colorado Springs).

Denver, 2-4-1 in its past seven games, has dropped to ninth in the generic version of the Pairwise, tied with North Dakota. CC is in a three-way tie for 13th.

Only the top 12 to 14 Pairwise teams will get into the NCAA field. Conference tournament champions are given automatic berths.

"From here on out, it's a playoff mentality," DU junior goalie Peter Mannino said. "Every game counts for both our league and the national picture. If we're on the same page, play together and within our roles, we think good things will happen."

In addition to battling for an NCAA berth, DU, North Dakota and CC are vying for a top-five WCHA finish that guarantees home-ice advantage for the first round of the league playoffs. The Pioneers (27 points) lead the Sioux and Tigers by one point.

Footnote
DU senior wing J.D. Corbin will play tonight after missing 30 games with leg and ankle injuries. The Littleton native has been practicing on a line with freshmen Brian Gifford and Rhett Rakhshani. Corbin's return marks the first time this season DU will have its entire roster available.

Beat The Gophers Week

Lucia's Favorite Hobby - Looking In The Mirror

From: Denver Post

by Mike Chambers

When Minnesota coach Don Lucia watches his team, he sees college hockey's top-ranked club, which has lost just twice in 25 games and recently had its program-record 22-game unbeaten streak end.

When Lucia studies the Gophers' upcoming opponent, No. 5 Denver, he said, "I feel like I'm looking in the mirror."

That's quite a (backhanded) compliment to the Pioneers, but certainly one DU coach George Gwozdecky won't let go to his players' heads.

DU enters its two-game Western Collegiate Hockey Association series tonight against the Gophers as the underdog, even though Lucia's comments have merit.

Both teams possess gifted freshman forwards and rely on opportunistic scoring, and each has a stingy, young defense that features one of the country's top-rated goalies. The big disadvantage for the Pioneers is their young stars will have more than 10,000 boisterous (loser) Gophers fans against them in one of college hockey's premier settings.

Minnesota is on a 21-game unbeaten streak (19-0-2) at its on-campus home.

"Outside of our national championship games (2004 and 2005), going into Minnesota will be the highlight of my career, and a lot of the guys' careers here," DU captain Adrian Veideman said. "When you get put into an environment like that, it makes you really feel like you're a part of something."

As many as seven DU skaters will play on the Olympic-size ice sheet at Mariucci Arena for the first time.

"Those people are so loud, and they're all over you about everything," DU sophomore defenseman Chris Butler said of Minnesota fans. "It's 10 times worse than (Colorado College) and very similar to Wisconsin. The best thing we can do is keep reminding our freshmen to get used to it, that it's not going to change."

Freshman Kyle Okposo and Jay Barriball are Minnesota's top goal-scorers, and Gophers goalies Kellen Briggs (1.77) and Jeff Frazee (1.80) are first and second in the WCHA goals-against average.

Freshmen Brock Trotter, Rhett Rakhshani and Tyler Ruegsegger are three of the Pioneers' top four point producers, and goalies Peter Mannino (.932) and Glenn Fisher (.931) are second and third in WCHA save percentage.

"I don't know of any other team in the country that could continue to win as they have, especially during the holiday break, when they have five of their top players out of the lineup," Gwozdecky said. "That tells you the depth of their team."

During the holiday break, Minnesota went 2-0 as five players were missing from the squad to play with the U.S. world junior team.

Lucia, who was Colorado College's coach in the 1990s when the Tigers returned to national prominence, expects to see two tight games.

"Maybe the difference of a bounce of a puck," he said.

Viag...er...Niagara To Test Pioneers Tonight

From: Rocky Mountain News
by Pat Rooney

By himself, Ted Cook will cause plenty of problems for DU's defense. Add his linemates to the mix, and the Pioneers will be facing a 120-minute headache tonight and Saturday.

DU begins its final nonconference series when the puck drops tonight against the 17th-ranked Niagara Purple Eagles, who come to Magness Arena boasting one of the top offensive lines in the country in Cook, center Les Reaney and left wing Sean Bentivoglio.

All three players are ranked in the top 10 in the nation in scoring, and despite the fact Niagara plays in a thin College Hockey America, its line stacks up against anything the seventh-ranked Pioneers face in the more rugged Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

"I don't care what team you play for or what league, if you are scoring 20 goals in 20 games, that's pretty impressive," DU sophomore defenseman Chris Butler said. "We look forward to the challenge of trying to shut them down. That is one of my jobs this weekend.

"Hopefully, I'll be matched up against them and do my best."

Cook, a sophomore, leads the nation with 20 goals and 13 power-play goals, but he has been far from a one-man show. Reaney, another sophomore, is tied for second in the nation with 36 points on 14 goals and 22 assists. Bentivoglio is tied for ninth with 33 points.

That combination also has made the Purple Eagles a force on the power play. Niagara typically moves Chris Moran, a freshman forward who has collected 27 points, to the point when it has a man advantage, giving Niagara four players with at least 27 points on its top power-play unit.

Niagara is ranked ninth in the nation in scoring and its power-play is eighth, with a success rate of 21.7 percent.

Led by goaltenders Glenn Fisher and Peter Mannino, the Pioneers are ranked 13th in penalty kills.

"It should be a great test for us," DU coach George Gwozdecky said. "Their top line, I think, is as good as any line as there is in the country. It's going to provide not only a great test, but a great gauge to where we're at right now and how much we have to improve to get where we want to be by the end of the regular season."

The Cook-led line will challenge DU during a time of transition along the Pioneers blue line after the departure of sophomore defenseman T.J. Fast, a regular in the lineup who left the program earlier this week.

Fast's spot likely will be filled by sophomore Julian Marcuzzi or junior Zach Blom.

Marcuzzi probably is the better defender but has not produced a point in 37 games during his career. Blom, the son of former DU goaltender Buddy Blom, has displayed an offensive touch in limited opportunities.

Gwozdecky also will continue to use forward J.P. Testwuide, a converted defenseman, on defense during penalty-kill situations.

"We're fortunate enough to have the numbers that we can throw somebody in or we can move somebody back from forward if we have to," said defenseman Andrew Thomas, who had been paired with Fast much of the season.

"I don't think we'll have a problem adjusting."

Dingle Anchors DU Offense

From: Rocky Mountain News
by Pat Rooney

It was not so long ago that Ryan Dingle felt as if he had the weight of the entire University of Denver hockey program resting on his shoulders.

As the only returning player from a quartet that accounted for more than 56 percent of the Pioneers' points last season, Dingle had reason to be concerned that much of DU's offense during the 2006-07 campaign would originate through him.

But with the swift emergence of DU's freshmen and the strong supporting roles accepted by the team's veterans, Dingle finds himself leading an offense that has proved to be more balanced than last season's star-laden lineup.

With DU's four offensive lines playing its particular roles to perfection, the eighth-ranked Pioneers will take a six-game unbeaten streak and five-game winning streak into the opener of a Western Collegiate Hockey Association series tonight against Wisconsin at Magness Arena.

Dingle, whose 16 goals lead the WCHA, again is leading DU's top line, but the three pairings behind the junior center and his linemates, freshmen Brock Trotter and Rhett Rakhshani, are offering plenty of support at both ends of the ice.

"Last year, I felt the need for me to produce every single night," said Dingle, a junior from Steamboat Springs. "Now, with that pressure off, it's nice when you can fit into your role and have confidence in the other lines. How well the other lines are clicking is definitely a relief."

Dingle was one of four DU skaters to record at least 39 points last season, but behind that group, the Pioneers offense often sputtered and stalled.

This season, third-liners Geoff Paukovich, Ryan Helgason and Patrick Mullen have combined with a gritty fourth line of Steven Cook, Mike Handza and J.P. Testwuide to provide stingy defense and timely offense.

Unlike last season, when coach George Gwozdecky had to adjust the line combinations almost every game out of necessity, the Pioneers' forward lines have remained largely consistent throughout the season.

"Our upperclassmen have done a tremendous job, with the roles

they've been asked to play, of accepting willingly," Gwozdecky said.

DU enters the series in second place in the WCHA, three points behind league-leading Minnesota. Wisconsin has struggled in the wake of its 2006 national title and enters in a tie for seventh place.

The Pioneers swept the Badgers on the road in November and has had success against Wisconsin the past few seasons. DU is 6-0-1 in the past seven games against the Badgers and has lost only twice in the past 18 matchups.

"(Wisconsin) has had a couple tough weekends, but in the WCHA, any team can pull off anything," Helgason said.

DU Ready To Crush Wisconsin Again

Peter Mannino (left) and Andrew Thomas (right) spent the offseason in the weightroom to get ready for key WCHA matchups like this weekend's battle with the Badgers

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

Since University of Denver juniors Peter Mannino and Andrew Thomas were freshmen in 2004-05, the Pioneers have participated in nine games against teams that have combined to win three of the past five NCAA championships.

This weekend, Mannino, Thomas and two classmates will suit up for one of those star-studded games for the 10th and 11th times.

DU, the 2004 and 2005 national champion, hosts reigning NCAA champion Wisconsin in a two-game WCHA series at Magness Arena.

The Pioneers are 3-5-1 in such matchups, all against WCHA foes. In 2004-05, they went 1-2 against Minnesota, which won the national title in 2002 and 2003, and 0-3-1 against the Gophers last season in games that featured teams that won the previous four NCAA crowns. DU is 2-0 this season against Wisconsin, having won 2-0 and 4-3 (overtime) in November in Madison, Wis.

Mannino said playing in these type of games is primarily why he chose DU and the WCHA, the 10-team league that has captured a record 36 NCAA crowns, including the past five and six of the last seven.

"Before I committed, (the Pioneers) had six championships and a tradition of winning in the WCHA, so that was obviously a reason I came here," the goalie said. "Since I arrived, you've really seen how special the WCHA is. It allows for great matchups like this."

Thomas, a defenseman, said, "being part of the WCHA, you have to come to play every night. If you don't want to play the best teams annually, this conference is not for you."

This weekend's series marks the beginning of the second half of the WCHA season for two teams heading in the opposite directions.

The Pioneers are on a six-game unbeaten streak (5-0-1) and in good position to qualify for the NCAA Tournament after failing to make the 16-team field last season. The Badgers already have lost 10 games.

DU coach George Gwozdecky, who played for Wisconsin's 1977 NCAA title team along with Badgers coach Mike Eaves, knows the frustration of having a talented team struggle with the rigors of the WCHA while seeking a consecutive NCAA crown.

"You really can't appreciate it until you go through it," Gwozdecky said. "You've got the target on your back, on your chest and on your forehead, everywhere you go.

"And not only do you have to battle your opponent, but you have to battle against the complacency of reaching the ultimate goal, and having to regenerate that enthusiasm and energy, and knowing it's going to be harder."

It won't be hard for DU to have fire in its eyes this weekend, in another marquee series that further highlights the WCHA's national dominance.

"It says an awful lot about the commitment the universities have made, how good the players are, how hard the coaches have to work, and the great support the teams get from the fans and boosters," Gwozdecky said.

Footnote

Former WCHA commissioner Otto Breitenbach died Tuesday at a hospital in Madison. He was 82. Breitenbach headed the league for 10 seasons (1983-94). In that time, the WCHA won three national titles and had five Hobey Baker Award winners.

A Slam Dunk Friday

The big question this weekend is how Coach Dave Shyiak will deal with having six players out of the lineup on Friday night. Here's what the lines looked like last Saturday vs. CC (DQ'd players in green):

Lunden, Beagle, Clark
Waldrop, Crowder, Bourne
Tarkir, Cartwright, Lowe
Tassone, Corrin, Tuton

Beaverson, Robinson
Backstrom, Smith
Lovdahl, Anderson

The three players who will fill those six spots are forward Ken Selby with defensemen Trevor Hunt and Ryan Berry. The scoop on these guys is as follows. Selby has the most experience having played in 6 games this season. Trevor Hunt has appeared in 4 games and Ryan Berry is yet to skate in his first NCAA game. When Selby and Hunt have played I thought they both played well. Selby is a skilled forward with great wheels and hasn't cracked the lineup primarily because he isn't really suited to being a 3rd or 4th line role player. It will be good to see him with an opportunity because it's possible he could have an impact. Trevor Hunt hasn't cracked the lineup because UAA is so deep defensively (enough so that defenseman Jared Tuton has been converted from D to forward). Trevor has good wheels and a hard shot. I don't know what to expect from Ryan Berry except to say that he was his junior teams leading scorer on defense last year.

How will Dave Shyiak plug the holes? I dunno. I'm not in his head so I'll just tell ya how I'd do it.

Waldrop, Crowder, Bourne
Lunden, Selby, Corrin
Tuton, Cartwright, Lowe

Beaverson, Berry
Robinson, Hunt
Lovdahl, Backstrom

So far this season with a full roster I'd characterize UAA as having two skill lines and two role playing lines. With the lineup above the Seawolves will likely be reliant upon a single line to provide scoring. Waldrop, Crowder and Bourne have been the best power play and have accounted for 14 goals overall. The suspended forwards (Beagle, Clark, Tarkir and Tassone) have accounted for 12 goals so far this year. The suspended defenseman have accounted for 9 goals.

Can DU fans expect anything other than an all out defensive effort on Friday from the Seawolves? They'd be smart to expect exactly that. Only being able to roll 3 lines will definitely be a challenge for UAA. I can't see any strategy that makes sense other than being as tight as you can possibly be in your own zone and limiting the Pioneer's chances. To win the game UAA will have to do exactly that and capatilize on any PP chances. Additionally, the Seawolves will absolutely have to stay out of the box. Conserving energy will be important and skating shorthanded won't contribute to that effort.

The Pioneer players should be supremely confident in their abilities to get points Friday night. They're playing a team that only has 15 skaters, who's Captain broke his leg two weeks ago and as a result of the DQ's against CC last weekend will be missing almost 45% of their scoring. If the Pioneers don't win on Friday then they really oughta fly back home that night.

Not Your Fathers Oldsmobile

by Donald

UAA Hockey Fan Blog

I was wondering how different writing on LetsGoDU would be from my blog. Going into this week I figured the differences couldn't be too great. After all, DG and I both use the same blog service. The mechanics of posting are identical. Why should it be any different? But this joint is crowded and cluttered. I think I even stepped on someone's underwear. Yikes. There's dirty dishes stacked all over and no windows. I came to Colorado for this?

I had a marginally formulated sort of plan for the week. I'd do all the regular stuff and try to add a couple of "new things". My first new thing though turned out to be a total bust. I went over to LetsGoDU.com's forum and thought if I could integrate some reader interaction from there that I'd find something entertaining. So instead of just starting some thread where I get input from DU fans about their team and use that info here (I thought that was a boring idea); I decided to leverage my past reputation from USCHO's fan forum and started a (tongue-in-cheek) thread called **Free Original Insults** Get 'em while they're hot. I've channelled Don Rickles ever since "the accident" (I'm much better now) and found him to be very helpful in dealing with idiots. Here's the text of the thread:

My permanent vacation from USCHO's hovel of a fan forum has had but a single deliterious effect on me. I sorta miss insulting folks. Stringing together a quality series of adjectives adverbs and verbs to belittle someone is great practice for my upcoming Novel about a superhero called "Insulter". So I'm hoping DU fans can relieve the pent up volcano of insult that I have stored.

To participate just post on this thread. I will consider ANYTHING you post as a transgression and will fervently compose an original insult in response. Save 'em and use them against CC fans. Sell them on E-bay. Squirrel them away in a shoebox and pull them out in 50 years and take them on Antiques Roadshow.

The result has been entirely underwhelming. There was a grand total of 12 reads on the thread and 3 of them came from me. Nobody posted a single thing. I pissed away those 75 words words eh? Why the active contingent of USCHO based DU fans don't use their own fan forum is a mystery to me. I didn't have high expectations nevertheless I'm a bit verklempt about the absolute failure. Sniff Sniff. The lesson here for me is to just be organic and not try to emulate the indominable DG with circus-like smoke and mirrors.

I mentioned in the last post how different the UAA team is this year from last. Word never got out last year but it's clear now that the Seawolf lockeroom wasn't a positive place in 05-06. I was surprised by the defection of three players in the off-season (Walsky to CC, Smith to NMU and Hamilton to UND). It seemed to be quite a blow at the time and definitely left this UAA fan shaking his head. My attitude about it at the time was that if those guys didn't want to be part of the team then they shouldn't be. Hopefully, they each have success in part II of their NCAA careers. But it's clear to me now that some measure of UAA's turnaround is directly related to them leaving. It's useless to point a specific finger but one of those guys seemed to be a cancer on the teams attitude. So ... 06-07 has been about as different from the last two years as it could be. It's not the halfway point of the season and the team has won 2 more games than it did all last year.

My friend Suze loves to say, "Will can defeat skill". It's the sort of belief that fans of traditional bottom dwellers must adopt in order for their "fan psyche" to survive. Last year there was some skill but no will. This year ... there's enough of both to put together a pretty successful season. UAA lost its fair share of players to graduation (and the aforementioned defections) and consequently brought in 9 freshmen. It wasn't the highest number of freshman in the WCHA but it was a big enough number to leave a lot of questions. And 16 games into the season lots of those questions can be set aside. UAA's freshman are preforming at a high level. A couple of weeks ago I compared the WCHA freshman classes "batting averages" and at the time the Seawolf freshman were performing 3rd overall.

The brunt of UAA's freshman scoring is coming from Josh Lunden, Paul Crowder and Kevin Clark. Lunden comes from the BCHL and is what I'd call a "classic" BC player. He's both rugged and skilled; effective in the corners and in front of the net. Paul Crowder is overshadowed somewhat by his brother Tim and his selection in the NHL draft. But his experience being a part of the RBC championship can't be underrated. He is very strong on the puck and skilled with the backhand. I hesitate to compare Kevin Clark to Ken Linseman because for some people that has a negative connotation but besides being known as a great instigator, Linseman put up 6 years of 20+ and 1 year of 30+ goals in a 14 year NHL career. Clark is shifty, gritty and fearless. He is a highly skilled passer with good vision. And he'll get into opponents heads.

The feel good story so far this year for the Seawolves is the play of senior Justin Bourne. After a promising first two years (4g-13a as a frosh and 12g-11a as a soph) Justin suffered through a horrible junior year (5-8). But he is definitely reBourne this season with 8g-11a in 16 games. His numbers on the PP lead the WCHA. Another senior living up to his potential is defenseman Chad Anderson who's 3g-5a are currently six in the WCHA. Senior Mark Smith's 4g-3a have been definitely helpful as well. This version of the Seawolves has the best skating group of blueliners I've ever seen at UAA. They can all wheel. I'm not exaggerating. The poorest skating blueliner (Shane Lovdahl) still manages to rush the puck with success and I've never seen anyone get around him on the outside. Freshman Nils Backstrom looks to grow into a very special player over the next four years. He can skate like the wind, see's the ice well and can contribute with passing and shooting. Anchoring the defensive unit is big Luke Beaverson. He is a tremendous physical presence in his own zone and like the rest of the D he takes his chances to carry the puck and contribute offensively.

Special teams is a big part of the picture if you want to succeed in this league and UAA's numbers are VASTLY improved from last year. The Seawolves are rated 2nd in the league on the combined special teams list. The PK is fifth at about 84% and the PP is about 19%. Neither are "great" numbers but the improvement is obvious to anyone that watched the team last year. Credit for the defensive improvements and PK certainly has to go to new assistant coach Campbell Blair. His experience putting Maine at the top of those charts in the past couple of years has been key for this years Seawolves.

Is anyone interested in hearing what really happened last year when DU fans Peter and Todd came up for the DU series? Lemme know.

DU Looks To Keep The Good Times Rolling

From: Denver Post
By Mike Chambers

The tide definitely has turned in the University of Denver's favor. But for the Pioneers, that could be reason to worry.

DU carries a seven-game unbeaten streak (6-0-1) against Colorado College into tonight's 260th meeting between the rivals. Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky, in his 13th season at the Hilltop, knows the winning formula in the only remaining WCHA rivalry that features two annual home-and-home series typically changes like spring weather.

"As always the case is, the games are close and hard fought," said Gwozdecky, who is 24-32-3 against CC, one of three WCHA teams he has a losing record against. "Since I've been here, CC has had the edge at times, and we've had the edge in other times. But all the games have been very intense and enjoyable to watch."

Since the rivalry began in 1949, DU is 151-99-9 against CC. The Tigers hold an 18-14-1 advantage since coach Scott Owens arrived in 1999.

"I don't know if you can explain (our dominance lately), but if you're saying it's a fluke, you're probably not doing your homework," Gwozdecky said.

DU began its unbeaten streak against CC at the end of the 2004-05 season, just before both programs obtained two of the top three overall seeds in the 16-team NCAA Tournament. The Front Range teams went on to meet for the first time at the Frozen Four, where DU captured its third straight victory over the Tigers and went on to win its second consecutive NCAA title.

Last season, the Pioneers went 3-0-1 against CC, but the final two games ended in a 5-4 overtime victory and a 3-3 tie. CC advanced to the NCAA Tournament; DU did not - but relished state bragging rights for the third consecutive year.

"They've been tough for us to play against," Owens said of the Pioneers. "They're very sound defensively, and it's been difficult for us to penetrate. And they've been very timely with their goal scoring."

On paper, the Pioneers - unbeaten in their past seven games (6-0-1) overall - appear to have the edge this season. But like CC, many of DU's best players are inconsistent underclassmen.

"Both teams are relying so much on new faces in their lineup," Gwozdecky said. "In some ways the teams are mirror images. The one big constant is the goaltenders."

Seniors will occupy the nets tonight at the Colorado Springs World Arena. DU will go with Glenn Fisher (7-2), and Matt Zaba (5-4-1) will oppose him.

Pioneers junior Peter Mannino (2-2-1) - who is 6-0-1 against CC - likely will oppose Zaba on Saturday at Magness Arena.

SPOTLIGHT ON GLENN FISHER
DU's senior goalie is having a sensational season but has struggled against Colorado College in previous seasons, going 1-3 in five starts. A win tonight will provide further proof that Fisher, who has allowed just three goals in his past four games, is one of college hockey's most improved players. The Edmonton native enters the game with a 1.74 goals-against average and .941 saves percentage, after beginning the season with career numbers of 2.91 and .890.


FRESHMEN TO BE HONORED

Colorado Springs-based USA Hockey will honor freshmen Rhett Rakhshani of DU and Billy Sweatt of CC before tonight's game. In April the two were teammates on the Team USA squad that captured the International Ice Hockey Federation World Under-18 Championship in Sweden, becoming the first Americans at any level to win back-to-back gold medals at an IIHF tournament.

FOOTNOTES

CC is 1-5 against top-10 teams, and 7-0-1 against others. ... If DU sweeps this weekend it will retain Gold Pan bragging rights for the fourth consecutive year. A new traveling trophy that will be ready after the new year replaces the original Gold Pan, lost or stolen from DU's locker room in 2004. The Gold Pan must be won outright. ... Game 2 of the series is Saturday night at Magness Arena (FSN, KCKK 1600 AM).

AFA Possesses Offense To Scare DU

From: Denver Post

by Mike Chambers

When Matt Carle immediately went from co-captain at the University of Denver to rookie defenseman for the San Jose Sharks in March, his explanation of the differences in the college and NHL games was akin to Ultimate Fighting and boxing.

.
In the NCAA, "you have to worry about someone trying to take your head off with a big hit," Carle said at the time. In the NHL, he said his primary objective was keeping up with everyone else in the "finer points" of the game, more like boxing, where positioning and continuous movement are more worrisome than avoiding the big check.

.
Carle didn't enjoy playing Air Force, which traditionally plays the kind of hard-nosed hockey that can frustrate playmakers. But if Carle was still a Pioneer, he might have enjoyed tonight's game against the Falcons (7-6-1).

.
"It will come down to the finer points of the game," Air Force coach Frank Serratore said.

.
The nonleague game at Magness Arena could again feature a bunch of bone-jarring hits that in-state rivalries typically promote, but the Falcons' offensive talent likely will force DU (7-4-1) to concentrate more on positioning and patience. For once, Air Force might have an advantage in the top-end scoring department in a series that DU has won 26-of-28 games and 18 straight.

.
AFA junior center Eric Ehn leads the country with 14 goals and 28 points, and Ehn's wingers - senior Andrew Ramsey (10 goals) and sophomore Mike Phillipich (six) - are among the top-20 NCAA scorers. Only one Pioneer, junior Ryan Dingle (eight goals), has lit the lamp as much as Phillipich, but the Pioneers unquestionably still have more overall talent than the American-made Falcons, who have played just two ranked teams.

.
"Anytime you go against what I call the BCS teams, you know they're going to have guys that can win it - the guy in (their) goal or some other guys hanging around (your) goal," Serratore said. "But with Ehn and other guys like Ramsey and Phillipich, so do we."

.
DU captain Adrian Veideman, a senior defenseman, said: "For that line, we just have to think defense first, and just try to shut them down, just do the things to prevent them from scoring, opposed to trying to score ourselves."

.
DU's big advantage will be in goal. Senior Glenn Fisher has registered shutouts in his past two games and has a 0.75 goals-against average and .975 save percentage in his past four games.

.
Serratore will choose from three goalies, none who have been consistently impressive so far.

.
For DU, which hosts Robert Morris on Saturday, winning nonleague games at home is crucial. Last season, losses to Princeton and Ferris State at Magness Arena helped ruin the Pioneers' ability to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

.
"That definitely has been addressed," Veideman said. "The important thing to realize is we're starting off with Air Force. Every year they play us tough, and we know it's going to be a good game. We won't look past them."

.
Game Notes:

DU hosts Robert Morris (4-6) on Saturday night, and Air Force entertains the Colonials on Sunday at the Cadet Ice Arena. ... Denver is on a five-game unbeaten streak, but has scored just four goals in its past two games. ... DU and AFA have had difficult weeks preparing. The Pioneers completed first- quarter exams Wednesday, and the Falcons had mandatory military training, and no hockey practice, Monday and Tuesday. ... DU senior wing Steven Cook of Denver was Air Force's rookie of the year in 2002- 03 before returning to junior-A and then transferring to DU.

(Above) Rhett Rakhshani celebrates against Finland this summer while playing for the US Junior Team

Freshmen Ready For Home Cooking

From: Rocky Mountain News
by Pat Rooney

Fans of the University of Denver hockey team have not enjoyed many opportunities to witness the skills of the Pioneers' talented and productive freshman class.
.
Beginning tonight, Rhett Rakhshani and the rest of DU's rookies hope to start showing the home crowd what all the hype is about.
.
DU (6-4, 4-2 Western Collegiate Hockey Association) brings a three-game winning streak into tonight's series opener against Michigan Tech. Tonight's game also begins a stretch in which the Pioneers play eight games in Colorado, seven at Magness Arena.

"I love playing here. This is the place, ever since we committed, we have been looking forward to playing at," said Rakhshani, a native of Huntington Beach, Calif. "Getting some more opportunities to play here is going to be awesome. My uncle lives here, so he's going to be able to come to the games."

Rakhshani, fellow true freshman Tyler Ruegsegger and redshirt freshman Brock Trotter have helped offset the loss of three of DU's top four scorers from last season and an unexpectedly slow start by some of the Pioneers' veterans.

Each of those freshmen has recorded three goals and six assists, producing a three-way tie for second place on DU's scoring list.

Rakhshani led the Pioneers' sweep-clinching victory at Wisconsin on Saturday by recording the first three-point game of his career with one goal and two assists, scoring the winning goal with less than 15 seconds remaining in overtime.

"Our success is a result of everybody beginning to feel comfortable with everyone else," DU coach George Gwozdecky said. "Not only the freshmen feeling comfortable but the older players, the experienced players, being comfortable that the freshmen can do their job, that the freshmen are responsible for what they can handle and that they're able to do it. The cohesiveness is coming around."

While the freshmen have contributed four goals and four assists during DU's three-game winning streak, much of that success also can be attributed to the recent play of goaltenders Glenn Fisher and Peter Mannino, as well as improved efficiency on special teams.

DU allowed eight power-play goals during 40 chances by its opponents during the first six games of the season.

Since then, the Pioneers have allowed only four power-play goals in 30 chances and limited Wisconsin to a 1-for-12 effort during their two wins last week.

"I think it's very apparent with our penalty kill from last weekend that we're more effective," junior defenseman Andrew Thomas said. "We changed up our penalty kill, our style and rotations and stuff like that. In the WCHA, you rely a lot more on special teams. We have to try and score more goals on the power play and try to keep our penalty kill consistent."

Eaves Holds Press Conference

(left) Wisconsin Coach Mike Eaves won it all last year

Going through the Wisconsin Press Conference Transcript this week was a painful experience. Wisconsin Coach Mike Eaves is one of the best coaches in the business, but his answers to some basic questions left me dizzy. I could have resorted to leaving some smartass comments next to his quotes, but I'm really trying to clean up my act and not be so sophomoric. So far the results have been mixed.

Eaves started off with a little self deprecating humor to loosen up the press. Usually not a bad idea, but it fell flat on an unresponsive Wisconsin press corp...

EAVES: Actually, I have a question. What was that word that Coach Ryan used at the beginning of the press conference, proclivity, or anybody pick that up? What’s Bo (UW Mens BB Coach Bo Ryan) been reading lately? The coaches in the back didn’t know what it was. And that was Dr. Doolittle that had that study about obsessive-compulsive behavior with the text messaging.

Rather than go through the whole transcript here are the edited highlights...

Question: Will Senior Forward Ross Carlson Play this weekend?

Eaves: Most likely.

Question: How was the trip back from Alaska?

Eaves: We left Anchorage at 6 AM and got back at 9 PM.

Question: Will Jack Skille play this weekend against Denver

Eaves: No, probably not until the following week

Eventually they got around to some Denver questions...

Question: How similar or dissimilar would you say your coaching style, your team’s philosophy is with that of George Gwozdecky in Denver?

Eaves: Well, George has won a couple national championships, and I think that if you were to talk to George about what his plan is that it would be similar. You’ve got to have a group of people that have ability, and they have to play hard. They have to play intelligently, and they have to play together as a team. I don’t think there’s any secret to that. And I think if you went and talked to him about it, that, those thought processes would be solidified by going through a couple of national championship runs.

Question: Last season was such a big time series with Denver coming to the Kohl Center, and they got the sweep. Does that matter to the players at all, or is there anything personal, or is it just another big series?

Eaves: It’s just another big series. I mean, if you remember correctly, we had young goaltender Shane Connelly in the net. That was part of his induction to college hockey by not, just dropping him in the deep end, like the Pacific Ocean. And, you know, it was part of his induction. So it was a long time ago. It doesn’t matter that it’s a new year. It’s Denver. They’re always a quality opponent. They will bring their A game. They like playing in this building, like most teams, so it will be another great challenge for us.

DU @ UMD
.

(left) "Champ" the Duluth Mascot lives in a crappy doghouse just like the UMD Hockey Team

.

Rocky Mountain Way Video

.

I don't know if Tom May will be back for DU this weekend (there was some talk of the suspension lasting to Thanksgiving), but we heard rumblings last week that he might be back tonight. If so, he'd reappear on the third or fourth line...If anyone knows one way or the other let us know.

.

Based on last week against RPI DU will be very close to whats below.
.

For the Good Guys

.

Rakhshani - Dingle - Gifford
Trotter - Ruegsegger - Mullen
Glasser - Paukovich - Helgason
Cook - Handza - Teswuide

Seabrook - Veideman
Butler - Marcuzzi
Thomas - Brookwell

Fisher

.

University Of Minnesota-Duluth

.

Mason Raymond-Michael Gergen-Matt McKnight

MacGregor Sharp-Nick Kemp -Andrew Carroll

Jordan Fulton-Drew Akins-Bryan McGregor

Matt Greer-Logan Gorsalitz-Mike Curry

.

Matt Niskanen-Josh Meyers

Jay Cascalenda-Travis Gawryletz

Jason Garrison-Ryan Geris

.

Alex Stalock

(above) Its an Olympic Sized Rink for DU tonight @ SCSU

DU on the "Big Sheet" Tonight vs. St. Cloud

This weekend series with St. Cloud will be the Pioneers first opportunity to play on a larger ice surface (200' X 100' vs. 200' X 85'). DU's biggest weapon this season may be team speed. As one of the only teams in the WCHA that doesn't either play on the larger ice surface or have a practice facility that size, it will be a first this season for the players, coaches and fans.

People with "Red Tailed Hawk" like vision may notice that the article below mentions that JD Corbin is on the "2nd line with Dingle & Mullen." This line will be extremely fast and will test SCSU's defense.

Coach Gwozdecky mentioned on his radio show today that Glenn Fisher will start in goal and Tom May has been suspended for undisclosed reasons until the end of the Fall Quarter (Thanksgiving).

DU Hockey Game Notes

SCSU Hockey Game Notes

Denver Line Up

Offense
Patrick Mullen - Ryan Dingle - J.D. Corbin
Brock Trotter - Tyler Ruegsegger - Rhett Rakhshani
Brian Gifford - Geoff Paukovich - Ryan Helgason
Steven Cook - Michael Handza - Matt Glasser
.
Defense
T.J. Fast - Andrew Thomas
Cody Brookwell - Chris Butler
Adrian Veideman - Keith Seabrook

.
Goaltender
Glenn Fisher


SCSU Lineup Tonight

Offense
Nodl - Dey - Gordon
Kronick - Raduns - Lasch
Swanson - Olson - Hartman
Houseman - Clafton - Gale

Defense
Fletcher - Stephenson
Borer - Raboin
Brocklehurst - Anderson

Goaltender
Goepfert (grāp'frūt')

Huskies Dive Right Into WCHA Powerhouse


(left) Ryan Dingle hopes to light up SCSU tonight

From: St. Cloud Times
By Kevin Allenspach

The reality check hits tonight.

For the 16th-ranked St. Cloud State men’s hockey team, it’s a collision course with increased expectations.

For the Denver Pioneers, two years removed from back-to-back national championships, it’s the start of the WCHA season without the league’s scoring leader (Paul Stastny) and the reigning Hobey Baker winner (Matt Carle).

Perhaps nowhere will the fact that a new season has arrived be underscored more than at the National Hockey Center.

“There were quite a few games last year where we came up and nipped people,” said Huskies senior Justin Fletcher, who ranks behind only Minnesota’s Alex Goligoski in scoring among returning WCHA defensemen. “That’s not going to happen again. Teams are going to see us coming more than they did before.”

Picked toward the bottom of the league a year ago, the Huskies nonetheless beat or tied seven ranked opponents and finished 20-13-3 after starting 2-6-1. And when they won, it was invariably because of their defense, going 2-13-2 when allowing three or more goals.

“There’s no reason our defense shouldn’t be as good because it’s virtually the same,” Fletcher said, referring to the loss of one senior (T.J. McElroy) from last spring. “I think the difference is we’re going to have more scoring than since I’ve been here.”

The Pioneers have been as subtle as a freight train the past three years, finishing second last season before an inconceivable first-round playoff upset by Minnesota-Duluth derailed their hopes of a three-peat. But if there’s a team that could sneak back to the top again, this might be it.

Wade past the bemoaning about Stastny and Carle and forward Gabe Gauthier, who racked up 155 points in his four-year career, and you find Ryan Dingle, the only returnee among the top 15 scorers in league play.

Of those other 14, four were seniors (Brett Sterling, Marty Sertich, Joey Crabb and Gauthier). The remaining 10 (Stastny, Ryan Potulny, Carle, Joe Pavelski, Drew Stafford, Phil Kessel, Robbie Earl, David Backes, Ryan Carter and Travis Zajac) all were mined by the NHL.

That leaves Dingle, an undrafted junior forward from Steamboat Springs, Colo., a little surprised — not only at the heights he attained last season but at how that mountain of talent he was climbing has been sheared off.

“I think it shows our league was extremely competitive,” said Dingle, who is 5-foot-10, 190 pounds. “All those other guys around me had the opportunity to go pro and I salute them ... but I’m not putting the burden on my shoulders that I have to go out and be the next one. I had a good year last year, but when you put Stastny and Carle and Gauthier out there, those guys on the other team weren’t looking for me.”

They will be now.

Denver, ranked 11th and 12th in the national polls, features five drafted rookies — part of a record 11 draftees on the team. Sophomore defenseman Chris Butler, the Pioneers’ second-leading returning scorer, and sophomore forward Patrick Mullen both had goals in each game of last weekend’s Ice Breaker Invitational (a 5-2 loss to No. 8 Miami and a 3-2 win over No. 14 Colgate). And Brock Trotter, a redshirt freshman who received a vote in the league’s preseason Rookie of the Year balloting, had a couple of assists.

Based on reputation, though, the guy to stop is Dingle.

“Subconsciously, I’m sure you think about it, and you’re always drawn to the expectations you have for yourself,” said Dingle, 22, who played at Tri-City and Des Moines of the USHL. “I’m just going to try to control the controllables, the effort I give, and if that allows me to fulfill a role like I did, great.”

However it plays out, Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky doesn’t want to hear about last year and who could’ve been here and how teams have been decimated with lost talent.

“All of our (WCHA) coaches say that every damn year,” Gwozdecky, whose team has won its last four games in St. Cloud, told a preseason conference call. “It’s the most boring thing and it makes me want to hang up the phone. That’s coachspeak. Replace guys? That’s what we do.”

How will it pan out? The bell is about to ring.

Huskies notebook

» Former Huskies coach Craig Dahl stopped by at the end of practice Thursday and chatted with several upperclassmen. Other than the freshmen, he still has at least a recruiting connection to everyone on the team.

» Gwozdecky last weekend was inducted into Miami’s Cradle of Coaches during a dedication of the new Goggin Ice Center in Oxford, Ohio. He coached there from 1989-94. His induction, the first for a hockey coach, places him among members like Weeb Ewbank, Woody Hayes, Ara Parseghian and Bo Schembechler.

On Thursday before the Pioneers skated at the Hockey Center, Gwozdecky said junior goalie Peter Mannino looked better than his statistics in the season opener.

“We were terrible in front of him,” Gwozdecky said.

Despite hints in the preseason that he’d go to a No. 1 goalie system after years of rotation, it’s expected both Mannino and senior Glenn Fisher will start this weekend.

Let The Season Begin

.

Drop The Puck

.

Lets Go DU

WCHA Playoffs Begin Tonight

(above) Ryan Caldwell goes "top-shelf" on a breakaway over UMD's Issac Reichmuth in a remarkable comeback at the 2004 Frozen Four

Denver faces Minnesota Duluth tonight to begin a best of three WCHA playoff series. DU still must win this series to qualify for the NCAA playoffs, so there's plenty on the line. UMD on the otherhand, has stuggled mightily since Christmas, so it would appear to be a walkover for DU, on paper at least.

Its the same story for DU every weekend. Play stiffling defense, wait for Power Play opportunities, try and get something going 5 on 5 and hope the goaltending holds up. So far the formula has worked pretty well, but when the PP doesn't score, DU loses.

This is the time of year when DU has stepped it up defensively in the past two seasons. We'll see what happens tonight.

Gwoz To Stick With Catholic Rotation For UMD Series

By Pat Rooney, Rocky Mountain News

It is the time of the year when a hot goaltender can carry a team a long way.
.

Adam Berkhoel did it two years ago, recording two postseason shutouts while helping lead the University of Denver to its first national championship in 35 years.
.
Peter Mannino, as a freshman, did it last year, earning the Most Outstanding Player award at the Frozen Four as DU won a second consecutive national title.

Can Mannino do it again? Maybe, but he won't assume all the Pioneers' goaltending duties this week, coach George Gwozdecky said.

With DU preparing for its home series against Minnesota-Duluth in the first round of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs, Gwozdecky said he is leaning toward keeping his goaltending rotation intact with Glenn Fisher and Mannino, despite Fisher's recent struggles and Mannino's postseason pedigree.

That would mean Fisher probably will get the start in the series opener Friday with Mannino to follow Saturday. If necessary, a deciding game would be played Sunday at Magness Arena.

"I don't see why we're going to change," said Gwozdecky, whose team will play a club that lost 13 of its final 14 regular-season games and was shut out in four of its final six. "At this point in time, I think we're going to stay with the same rotation we've had all season long."

Fisher was brilliant while leading DU to a 1-0 victory Jan. 20 at Wisconsin, but he has been unsteady in his five other most recent starts, compiling a saves percentage of .866 during those games.

"I think we both have the ability to take this team as far as we can," Mannino said. "When it comes down to it, we're both going to be ready."

UND @ DU

Puck Swami in Italy, probably in an Internet Cafe on the Finnish Hockey Board, breaking down the upcoming semifinals with Russia.

Back in the States DU vs. UND is the big series this weekend in the WCHA. Gwoz is going to emphasize defensive intensity and blocked shots. Expect to see DU sacrificing their bodies. The big news is that Gwoz may shake up the Goalie rotation tonight and start Mannino (Denver Post).

DU would love to turn it into rough game with lots of penalties so that the Power Play Units gets plenty of ice time. With Gauthier, Dingle, Stastny, Carle & Butler/Veideman out there you basically have five lefthanded forwards on the PP unit. DU scores on the PP when Stastny is able to get the puck with time down low. Carle racks up all those assists on the PP because he is able to thread the needle to Stastny, who finds the open man.

My favorite DU player to watch is JD Corbin, he flies around the ice and watching the Winter Olympics this week, I can't help thinking that he could win a medal in Short Track Speed Skating...

.

Keys for UND

(Stats provided by Startmann)

.

UND away record 10-4-1
UND scores most goals second period, but give up most goals second period

Drew Stafford has 20 goals
Also, Stafford has highest number of shots 135....twice as many as his teammates!
Oshie is the man......17 goals .254 shot %...DU better cover him!
Toews, Stafford and Zajac all good on faceoffs.

UND has 2 good powerplay lines that share time.
UND averages 29 shots per game with .112 %
Opponets avg 31 shots per game with .077%
UND scores 3.3 goals per game
UND give opponets 9 powerplay chances per game....Powerplay must work for DU this weekend

SCARY STAT.....top 4 scorers for UND +/- is +40

DU top 4 scorers +/- is +19
UND has 19 players with a positive +/-
DU has only 8 players with a positive +/-
Parise has 2.17 GAA and will probably go both nights

DU must score alot in 1st and 2 periods and hang on in the 3rd, complete the first pass out the defensive zone and transition quickly to catch them short handed. Odd man rushes will win this weekend....whoever has more will win.

DU goalies must be top form this weekend.

DU's Probable Lineup

Steven Cook - Geoff Paukovich - J.D. Corbin (DU's Defensive Line)
Gabe Gauthier - Paul Stastny - Patrick Mullen (HOF Line)
Ryan Dingle - Michael Handza - Ryan Helgason (The Hustle Line)
Tom May - Ted O'Leary - Jon James

Adrian Veideman - Andrew Thomas
Matt Carle - T.J. Fast
Chris Butler - J.P. Testwuide/Julian Marcuzzi

.

Peter Mannino (Friday)
Glenn Fisher (Saturday)

DU To Battle The Evil Empire This Weekend
.
.
(Left) Minnesota Coach Don Lucia leads the #1 Ranked Golden Gophers against the Pioneers
.
.

Everything is on the line for the Pioneers this weekend. First place in the WCHA, a possible NCAA playoff berth, WCHA playoff seedings, DU's eight game winning streak, state pride...you name it. DU also comes into the game with an unusually successful 5-1-1 record on the Olympic ice.

Can DU duplicate the stifling defense exhibited against the Badgers and then blow the game wide open with their Power Play? That has been the formula on the current winning streak as well as timely contributions from the rest of the team. Against the Gophers the series just may be decided by the goaltending. The "Catholic Rotation" has been at its best over the past 18 months in pressure situations and it doesn't get much bigger than this. DU also hasn't lost a Third Period lead all season long.

Minnesota comes into the game with their own winning streak, a deadly Power Play Unit, home ice advantage and "Blue Chippahs" out the wazzoo. Doug Woog said in his article this week that the advantage goes to the team that scores first. I agree. Both teams have the ability to dictate the flow of the game and scoring first does just that.

With a split DU controls its own destiny, owning the tiebreaker with the Badgers and a one point advantage over the Gophers.

DROP THE PUCK....