Englewood native Zach Blom might have found his way back into the University of Denver lineup, Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky said Monday.
Blom, a senior defenseman and son of former DU goalie Buddy Blom, played in just 26 games during his first three seasons, but had high hopes of becoming a regular this year.
An offseason suspension for undisclosed reasons cost Blom the first four games of the season, and put him behind freshmen Chris Nutini and John Ryder on the depth chart.
But Blom now is taking advantage of the season-ending wrist injury to Ryder and the position switch of junior Patrick Mullen, who might play wing the rest of the season.
Blom played in the Pioneers’ past two games, his first action of the season. He replaced junior J.P. Testwuide (illness) on Jan. 18 at Air Force and Mullen the following night against Bemidji State.
“He’s played well, and he’s going to be given, like all of our guys, a good opportunity to be in our lineup,” Gwozdecky said of Blom, who turned 25 this month and is DU’s oldest player. “If everything goes according to his plan, and our plan, he has a great shot of being there.”
The Pioneers, idle last week, begin a two-game series Friday at Minnesota State. Mullen likely will play wing for the fourth time this season, and Blom will skate on the blue line.
“We know Pat can play both positions well,” Gwozdecky said of Mullen, who played forward most of the time as a freshman and sophomore.
Mullen practiced at forward Monday.
Sickness spreads.
Ryder’s injury is the only significant setback the Pioneers have had this season, but illness remains a problem. Gwozdecky said forwards Tom May, Jesse Martin and Dustin Jackson are the latest to miss practice because of sickness.
Footnotes.
Despite going 2-1-1 in its past four games, Colorado College has dropped from a tie for No. 1 in the PairWise Rankings to fifth. DU is third. . . . The Tigers host a good Clarkson team this weekend in their final nonconference games of the regular season. The Golden Knights (15-7-2) are tied with Notre Dame for eighth in the PWR and lead the ECAC at 10-3-1. . . . CC’s average home attendance is 7,112, fourth nationally. Wisconsin leads with 12,991, following by North Dakota (11,640) and Minnesota (9,865).
Front Range NCAA rankings
1. Denver (18-6, 12-4 WCHA)
Last week: Idle.
Next: At Minnesota State, Friday-Saturday.
Of note: DU improved in PairWise Rankings but slipped to third in WCHA, with four games in hand over the top two.
2. Colorado College (18-7-1, 15-4-1 WCHA)
Last week: Tied (2-2) and lost (5-2) at Michigan Tech.
Next: Clarkson, Friday-Saturday at the World Arena.
Of note: Tigers failed to win a weekend game for the first time this season, and now prepare for a big nonleague challenge.
3. Air Force (12-10-4, 9-8-3 AHA)
Last week: Lost twice at Army (2-1, 2-1).
Next: Bentley, Friday-Saturday at Cadet Ice Arena.
Of note: Minus three regulars, Falcons blew two third-period leads at Army.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
