The recovering University of Denver hockey team will be couch spuds this weekend while rival Colorado College joins its competitive club.
The Pioneers, who are idle until hosting Minnesota State on Nov. 16-17, have emerged relatively unscathed from a season-opening, eight-game stretch that appears to have been the toughest of its kind.
Now, the Tigers will complete a similarly rugged start with this weekend’s two games against visiting Minnesota-Duluth.
The No. 15-ranked Bulldogs represent CC’s fourth consecutive opponent in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll, and after Saturday’s series finale, the Tigers will join DU (6-2, 3-1 Western Collegiate Hockey Association) as the only college teams to have played only ranked opponents in their first eight games.
“It will help both teams down the stretch to have our heads above water at this point,” CC coach Scott Owens said. “Both teams have had a very difficult early schedule, and both teams have fared pretty well. I think you’ve got the makings of two very good hockey teams.”
Denver swept No. 11 Maine, split at No. 12 Notre Dame, split against No. 15 Minnesota-Duluth and swept No. 14 Minnesota last week. The Pioneers have outscored their opponents 25-12 and allowed more than one goal in just two games.
The Tigers (3-3, 3-1 WCHA) opened with a two-game sweep over then-No. 3 Minnesota, then lost twice at No. 7 New Hampshire and split at No. 4 North Dakota.
“This is as the most difficult first six games since I’ve been here,” said Owens, who is in his ninth season.
It won’t get any easier until next month. The Tigers host No. 10 Wisconsin next weekend and No. 5 Denver the following weekend. Assuming the Badgers and Pioneers remain ranked, CC will undoubtedly have the toughest 12-game stretch in the country.
“If the next three or four weeks go well, it will be a very positive thing at the end of the year,” Owens said.
Owens said freshman goalie Richard Bachman of Highlands Ranch would make his fifth start tonight. Bachman has a 1.49 goals-against average and .950 save percentage.
Junior goalie Drew O’Connell (5.01 GAA, .841 save percentage) has struggled in two appearances.
“Numbers don’t lie,” Owens said.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
No. 9 Colorado College vs. No. 15 Minnesota-Duluth
What: Two-game WCHA series
When: Tonight (7:35) and Saturday (7 p.m.)
Where: Colorado Springs World Arena
Records: UMD (4-1-1, 3-1 WCHA), CC (3-3, 3-1 WCHA)
TV/Radio: None/KYZK 103.9 FM
Notes: CC coach Scott Owens is two wins shy of 200. … The Tigers lead the series 77-71-5.
Air Force vs. RIT
What: AHA two-game series
When: Tonight and Saturday, 5 p.m. MST
Where: Ritter Arena, Rochester, N.Y.
Records: AFA (4-2, 2-2 AHA), RIT (2-3, 1-1 AHA)
TV/Radio: None/none
Notes: Six of the past seven games in the series have been decided by one goal or ended in a tie. … The Tigers swept Air Force 5-4 and 2-1 last season in Rochester.
Mike Chambers
