The suspensions from last Saturday’s postgame brawl between Colorado College and Alaska-Anchorage should benefit the University of Denver.
When the Pioneers begin a two-game series at Alaska-Anchorage tonight, the Seawolves will be without six players, including two of their top three scorers. All six will serve one- game suspensions for fighting after CC’s 4-3 overtime victory at the Colorado Springs World Arena.
Senior defenseman Chad Anderson and sophomore forward Jay Beagle – tied for second in scoring on the team – were suspended, along with senior Mark Smith, juniors Blair Tassone and Chris Tarkir and freshman Kevin Clark. Tassone is the only one who has not played in all 16 games.
DU coach George Gwoz- decky, when asked of his team’s probable advantage tonight, said: “I know firsthand that when you’re short-handed like that, the players that do compete tend to rally and play better than they normally do. So I’m not sure it’s really an advantage. I’m more concerned with how we’re going to play.”
Last Saturday’s melee in Colorado Springs began while the teams were lining up for postseries handshakes. Five CC players also drew one-game suspensions for fighting.
Alaska-Anchorage unsuccessfully appealed its suspensions, despite the backing of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, asking the NCAA to stagger its suspensions in the DU series because of safety. The Seawolves have only three extra players, so having six players unavailable for one game leaves them with a 17-player lineup.
DU’s lineup could be strengthened by the return of senior defenseman Adrian Veideman. The Pioneers’ captain suffered a concussion Dec. 2 against CC and missed last weekend’s series against Minnesota State.
He still suffers from neck and shoulder pain caused in a post-whistle skirmish with CC co-captain Brandon Straub, who also was involved in last Saturday’s brawl.
“My head is cleared to play, but I don’t know about my shoulder and neck,” Veideman said. “I was having problems before, and it made it worse. Hopefully I’ll be ready for (tonight), but Saturday for sure.”
Senior forwards Ryan Helgason (broken hand) and J.D. Corbin (fractured leg and ankle) remain unavailable.
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
This weekend
NO. 12 DENVER (10-6-2, 6-4-2 WCHA)
Opponent: Alaska-Anchorage (8-6-2, 6-6 WCHA)
When: Tonight (9:35) and Saturday (9 p.m.)
Where: Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska
TV/radio: None/KCKK 1600 AM (tonight), KKFN 950 AM (Saturday)
Notes: DU is unbeaten in its past eight games (6-0-2) against the Seawolves at Sullivan Arena. The Pioneers won 3-2 and 5-3 last season at the Olympic-size arena. … The Pioneers are 4-4 on the road, including 4-3 in WCHA games. … UAA is 2-2-2 in overtime games.
MIKE CHAMBERS
