College hockey in the heart of Dixie? You better believe it.
Better yet, see it when the University of Alabama-Huntsville visits these here parts to open its 2006-07 season.
Doug Ross christens his 25th year as head coach of the UAH Chargers with two games this weekend in the Colorado Springs area. The Chargers visit Colorado College on Saturday at World Arena. Then Ross leads the only team to play college hockey south of the Mason-Dixon line to the Air Force Academy for a game Sunday at Cadet Ice Arena.
The Chargers are ambassadors of southern hockey, you might say. A decade ago, Gov. George C. Wallace decreed Huntsville as the “Hockey Capital of the South.”
And while southerners are renowned for their good manners, don’t expect genteel hockey out of this bunch. For one, Ross enters the season with 441 lifetime victories as coach at UAH. For another, his team carries a big stick, but it doesn’t speak softly. Rather, it speaks, eh, Canadian.
Out of 25 players listed on this season’s UAH roster, 20 hail from the provinces. Senior defenseman Troy Maney is the only homegrown product. Actually, he’s the first product of Alabama high school hockey to suit up for the Chargers.
Saturday’s game starts at 7 p.m. at CC. Sunday’s game at Air Force starts at 5 p.m.
If not unawares, UAH will hope to catch both Colorado teams at least softened. Air Force, which will begin play this season in the Atlantic Hockey Association, plays host to Colorado College, which is ranked No. 13 in the USA Today/USA Hockey poll, on .
An online exclusive that runs each Friday, examines the memorable and less visible aspects of Colorado’s sports landscape. DenverPost.com sports producer Bryan Boyle can be reached at bboyle@denverpost.com.
From the columns
“A search of the top of the Rockies’ minor-league clubs over the past six weeks of the big-league season has produced several players who have given manager Clint Hurdle reason to say they’ll help Colorado be a better team in 2007.”
From the mailbags
“If the field had continued to play as it did the first five months, Coors Light Field could have eventually lured some more pitchers, though never a premier free agent. The Rockies would still have to overpay for that.”
From the message boards
“Broncos vs. Ravens: Regardless of schedule, we have two really good teams playing Monday. Unfortunately, I do not expect the Ravens to go undefeated. Denver (altitude, crowd noise, defense) is an obvious choice to be our first loss.” — Brimstone Baritone
From the online exclusives
“All Things Broncos” has reentered the blogosphere, cataloging news, notes and analysis from Denver Post staff writers Mike Klis and Bill Williamson. This blog also showcases team-related minutiae pertaining to division rivals and upcoming games throughout the season.
A look back
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| Post / Andy Cross |
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In this photo shot Monday, . Although tying for second in the WCHA last season, a 4-7 nonconference mark cost them an NCAA Tournament shot. |
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A look ahead
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