Grand Forks, N.D. – Hard-hitting Denver center Geoff Paukovich arrived here a marked man.
Paukovich and the two-time defending NCAA champions open defense of their Western Collegiate Hockey Association co-championship tonight against North Dakota, the defending national runner-up. Those who hope Paukovich limps out of Engelstad Arena during the two-game series are overshadowing the rematch of April’s NCAA title game.
“I think everybody is talking about it but the two teams,” North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol said of the threats against Paukovich, most of which appear on Internet chat rooms. “We’re focusing on the start of WCHA season. There’s all sorts of different articles you can write about this series, but most important, to the teams at least, is that (WCHA) points are available and at a premium this weekend. That’s where our focus is at.”
The attention Paukovich has received from North Dakota fans stems from the Englewood native’s illegal hit on Sioux defenseman Robbie Bina in a WCHA playoff game last March. Bina, who grew up in Grand Forks, sustained a fractured C-7 vertebrae. Bina has resumed skating with the Sioux but has not played since the hit. He is not expected to be cleared for contact until near the end of the regular season and has applied for a medical redshirt.
Paukovich, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound sophomore, received a two-minute minor penalty for the check from behind on the 180-pound Bina. After the game, which DU won 2-1 in overtime, the WCHA suspended Paukovich for DU’s league playoff title game against Colorado College. DU coach George Gwozdecky reviewed the hit and stepped in with a suspension that kept Paukovich out of the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Paukovich played against the Sioux in the NCAA title game. He said he was threatened by North Dakota players during the game.
“Their team, they like to intimidate,” Paukovich said. “They were saying stuff when I was on the ice but you got to expect that. That’s the kind of team they are.”
He’s bracing for the worst this weekend.
“That’s one of the most hostile places in the country, and coupled with my situation and us beating them the last couple years, I can’t imagine how loud it’s going to be, and crazy,” he said.
The punishment for fighting in college hockey is severe, but Paukovich said taking a game disqualification and one-game suspension might be the only way to put the controversy to rest.
“I’ve talked to the coaches about it, and if that situation was to arise, (it’s OK). If it happens Friday, they’re fine with me settling it, because I’d just be out for Saturday,” Paukovich said. “But as the series goes into Saturday, the coaches would be more concerned, because I’d be out the first game next week.
“Either way, the only way they’d let me handle it that way is if something happens to me first, like if I get jumped.”
Gwozdecky said he sees no need to talk with Hakstol before tonight’s series opener.
“The series will be hard-fought, intense, and emotional,” Gwozdecky said. “But I really don’t think that what took place last year will have any significance on this series or any games we play against North Dakota this year. Some fans may feel otherwise.”
Paukovich and Bina have not spoken since the incident. But Paukovich has tried.
“We sent him a team card. My family sent him a card. I sent him a couple e-mails and left a phone message for him, and just said, ‘Call me if you want to talk,”‘ Paukovich said.
Staff writer Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
