Ever pulled a Walter Mitty and daydreamed you were a professional hockey player? Turns out that daydream is more real than fantasy.
The Rocky Mountain Rage, riding some kind of high a third of the way through this Central Hockey League season, are nearing their win total from all of last season. A complete turnaround.
Nothing, it seems, can derail the Rage right now. Not even a 15-game suspension to starting goaltender Terry Dunbar after his role in a fight last weekend.
The Rage, like any good team, never blinked in replacing Dunbar. They moved goalie Scott Reid — one of only two goalies in the CHL without a regulation loss this season — to the full-time starting spot. But in order to field a backup to Reid, the Rage had to scramble. Unlike forwards, goalies are few and far between.
So Rage coach Tracy Egeland turned in-house, signing Hugh “Trey” Boylan to the roster. Boylan, an account executive for the Rage’s parent company, Broomfield Sports and Entertainment, had experience between the pipes playing club hockey at Texas Tech. Around the office, he was casually known as the team’s “third goalie,” a ticket salesman with a pipe dream.
Until Wednesday, when the Rage gave him a uniform and sent him to Wichita as their new backup netminder.
“It’s the highlight of my life so far, that’s for sure,” said Boylan, 24. “I’ve been having a blast this week.”
With Reid in net and Boylan at the ready, Rocky Mountain routed Wichita 6-2 on Wednesday behind two goals from Tyler Butler and a goal and an assist from Scott Wray. Wray this season is tied for the CHL lead with 35 points, on 13 goals and 22 assists.
This weekend, the Rage host two games at the Broomfield Event Center. Bossier-Shreveport travels for a game tonight at 7:05 p.m., then Wichita comes to town Saturday for a 7:05 p.m. start.
With a ticket salesman in pads on the bench, anything is possible.
AROUND THE STATE
CU women on roll.
Colorado’s impressive victory over No. 21 Wyoming on Wednesday snapped a 23-game losing streak against ranked opponents. The Buffs, led by Jackie McFarland, right, and freshman Brittany Spears in that game, can make it two in a row against ranked teams Sunday when they travel to Nashville, Tenn., to take on No. 20 Vanderbilt. On the men’s side, Colorado travels to Wyoming for the other half of the neighbor-state series. That game, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, airs on The Mtn. And Northern Colorado travels south from Greeley to take on host Denver. It will be the second meeting between the teams this season, after the Bears downed the Pioneers 64-46 on Nov. 17.
Men’s basketball
Friday: Fort Lewis vs. Metro State, Auraria Events Center, 7 p.m.
Saturday: Colorado vs. Wyoming, Arena-Auditorium, Laramie, 2 p.m.
Saturday: Northern Colorado at Denver, Hamilton Gymnasium, 4 p.m.
Women’s basketball
Sunday: Colorado vs. Vanderbilt, Memorial Gym, Nashville, Tenn., 1 p.m.
STAY ON THE COUCH
Clouds ahead for DU.
Never mind that St. Cloud State is in eighth place in the WCHA standings when the Huskies host Denver for a two- game set this weekend. Denver, in second place in the WCHA, is ranked No. 4 nationally. And St. Cloud is another ranked opponent (14th) for DU. The games, which air tonight and Saturday at 6 p.m. on FSN, will be a rookie battle of sorts. St. Cloud’s Garrett Roe is the highest-scoring rookie in the NCAA this season with 22 points. DU’s Tyler Bozak is second, with 12.
GET OFF THE COUCH
A real cool run/walk.
More than just a running race, Sunday’s Jingle Bell Run/Walk at Washington Park in Denver is a cold running race. Snow is possible, and the high temperature may not peak past freezing. Cold, sure. Fun, definitely. The race includes a costume contest, children’s 1K snowman scramble, a postrace party and it’s all a benefit for the Arthritis Foundation. Check for more information.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
Iverson scores 51 and Nuggets lose?
The frustration point for Nuggets fans might have hit a low on Wednesday when Allen Iverson scored 51 points in a loss to Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. Something’s askew if Iverson and Carmelo Anthony combine for 77 points but can’t win. If only the other pieces came together, mainly the defense, the Nugs could start rolling through their schedule.
WEAK IN REVIEW
Shame, shame, Marc Crawford.
A report Wednesday that former Canucks coach Marc Crawford might have ordered the on-ice attack on the Avs’ Steve Moore isn’t really surprising. Sure, it was Todd Bertuzzi in 2004 who grabbed Moore from behind, punched him and drove his head into the ice resulting in Moore’s broken neck and concussion. But a coach isn’t blind to what’s happening in the locker room and on the bench. What’s surprising is the order might have come from Crawford, a great former Avs coach. Is there no loyalty left?
