Western Collegiate Hockey Association play begins Friday for Denver. Unfortunately for the Pioneers it’s on the road.
Ninth-ranked DU began 1-2 on the road but looked like two-time national champions in Saturday’s 6-3 home opener win over Notre Dame.
Denver coach George Gwoz- decky expects to build off Saturday’s performance this weekend at No. 6 North Dakota (4-1-1). The two-game series will be a rematch of April’s NCAA championship.
“I’m glad we’ve had four games to find out exactly where we’re at,” Gwozdecky said. “We’ve juggled our lines a little bit and found out what our strengths and weaknesses are.
“We’re not as developed defensively as we’d like to be, but that was expected, considering all the inexperience we have on the blue line. But we were better (Saturday) than we’ve been. Overall, I think we’re in as good of shape we can be going into conference play.”
Blooming Blom
DU walk-on defenseman Zach Blom of Englewood played in both games last weekend. The junior scored his first career goal Friday in a 4-2 victory at Air Force with a blast from the blue line.
“I’m really pleased with him,” Gwozdecky said of the son of former DU goalie Buddy Blom (1964-66). “The one thing I like about Zach is he knows his limitations. He plays within his role.”
Zach Blom has something in common with DU senior co-captain Gabe Gauthier. Both pronounce their last names different from the way their fathers do. Blom prefers “Bloom,” while his father goes by Blom, rhyming with Tom. Gauthier prefers “Go-chay,” while his father, a Californian, goes by “Goth-e-er.”
Footnotes
Colorado College moved up two spots to No. 2 in this week’s USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll. The Tigers open WCHA play this weekend at Minnesota State. … CC senior Marty Sertich was named WCHA offensive player of the week and DU freshman Brock Trotter nabbed the rookie honor. Sertich had two goals and an assist against Air Force. Trotter had a four-point weekend.
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
