It could get worse, Denver hockey fans.
The Pioneers’ two losses last weekend at Maine would seem like gentle blows if the two-time defending national champions fall tonight at Air Force. DU has dominated the Falcons, winning 17 consecutive games and 25 of 27. Air Force has been outscored 121-29 in the series since last beating Denver in 1980.
The Pioneers (0-2) entered the season 37-5 against nonleague opponents since 2001, but were outscored by a combined 9-3 at Maine. DU went 1-of-16 on the power play, and last season’s top three scorers, Gabe Gauthier, Paul Stastny and Matt Carle, failed to score.
“I think we had a little bit of a wake-up call last weekend,” Carle said. “It kind of humbled guys a little bit, and reminded us all what it takes to be at the level we need to be. I think we’re going to come out a lot harder this weekend.”
Air Force (1-3) has lost two straight games since its impressive showing at the Oct. 7-8 IceBreaker Invitational in Colorado Springs. The Falcons lost 3-1 to Maine in the opener, blowing a 1-0 lead, and then trounced Union College 9-2.
Five of Air Force’s first nine games are against 2005 NCAA Tournament teams. On Saturday, the Falcons go to the south side of Colorado Springs to play at No. 4 Colorado College, then visit Bemidji (Minn.) State next weekend for their College Hockey America-opening series.
“They’re always a tough team,” Carle said of the Falcons. “In my previous two years here, I haven’t liked playing against them. You know they’re going to come at you with everything they have.”
DU has its home opener Saturday night against Notre Dame. Denver likely will use four freshman defensemen in one of this weekend’s games. Junior Zach Blom of Englewood and freshman J.P. Testwuide of Vail rotated at the No. 6 spot last weekend.
“They’ll be growing pains for all of us, but I think we’ll be able to adapt and be up to speed here pretty quick,” freshman Chris Butler said.
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
