The climate surrounding the University of Denver’s hockey season figures to fluctuate from simmering to boiling soon.
After this weekend’s two-game series against visiting Minnesota State, the Pioneers conclude the regular season with six games against the three teams that joined them in 2005 Frozen Four.
Denver, tied with Minnesota for second in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association at 13-5-2, visits the Golden Gophers next weekend. The Pioneers then host 2004 national runner-up North Dakota for two games before beginning a home-and-home series against rival Colorado College.
The Pioneers (16-10-2) say they won’t look past this weekend’s games against the Mavericks, who defeated and tied DU earlier this season in Mankato, Minn.
“With the way Mankato has played against us, I can’t see any of our guys looking at anything beyond (tonight),” DU coach George Gwozdecky said. “All our interest will be focused on this series.”
DU goalie Peter Mannino said the Pioneers need four points this weekend or the final 12 won’t mean as much, because finishing first or second in the WCHA could end up being Denver’s only avenue into the NCAA Tournament. The Pioneers are tied for 17th in the PairWise Ranking and would not receive an at-large berth if the selections were today.
However, Denver’s PairWise Ranking would improve, perhaps drastically, with victories over Minnesota, North Dakota and CC. At the same time, it could tumble with a home loss to Minnesota State.
“We got ourselves in the hunt, and if we finish high in the conference we’ll be good in the overall picture,” Mannino said. “Our nonconference record (3-5) isn’t good, but all we have left is conference games. We have to finish high in the standings or we probably won’t make it.”
“Everybody knows what’s at the end of the road,” added Glenn Fisher, who shares goal- tending duties with Mannino and will start tonight. “As long as we do our job in the next eight games, the PairWise will take care of itself.”
Footnotes
Denver, riding a five-game winning streak, has lost three of its past four home games. … Minnesota State is 7-3 in its past 10 games and 11-9-3 all-time against the Pioneers. … CC begins a two-game series at red-hot St. Cloud State tonight. The Huskies have won six in a row and are 10-1-1 in their past 12. … Air Force, last in the College Hockey America, visits Niagara today and Saturday.
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
