Two weeks ago against Ohio State, the University of Denver hockey team blew a two-goal lead and absorbed its first loss, preventing the Pioneers from obtaining the country’s No. 1 ranking.
And last week, then-No. 4 DU tied and lost to top-ranked Colorado College, slipping to No. 6.
The 0-2-1 skid and fall in the rankings are tied to DU’s downward spiral in special teams. The Pioneers have dropped to 31st out of 57 teams in the country in power play (9-of-59, 15.3 percent) and are tied for 34th in penalty killing (43-of-52, 82.7 percent).
Pound for pound, DU might be considered one of the nation’s top teams. But the Pioneers are underachieving when someone is in the penalty box.
“We’re working on it, as we are in a lot of parts of our game right now,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said.
The penalty-killing woes could be tied to goal-tending, because sophomore Marc Cheverie has been at his best at even strength.
But the poor power play is considered shocking, because DU has so many top-end offensive players. When the No. 1 unit was formed before the first game of the season, many wondered how any team could stop forwards Tyler Bozak, Tyler Ruegsegger, Rhett Rakhshani and defensemen Patrick Wiercioch and Patrick Mullen.
The second unit also looked good on paper, with Anthony Maiani quarterbacking fellow forwards Jesse Martin, Kyle Ostrow, Luke Salazar and Joe Colborne.
Each unit has moved the puck well, but they aren’t producing enough goals. Which is why fans can expect to see new combinations tonight, when the Pioneers (4-2-1, 2-1-1 WCHA) begin a two-game series against Minnesota-Duluth (4-1-2, 1-1-1 WCHA) at Magness Arena.
“A power play requires a finisher, a playmaker, a quarterback, the ability to see the ice. And certain guys feel more comfortable at certain positions, and we’re still trying to figure out who works best with who,” Gwozdecky said.
Meanwhile, DU continues its season-opening nine-game Colorado homestand with their seventh and eight games at Magness Arena.
Minnesota-Duluth, one of the WCHA’s worst offensive teams last season, is coming off a 5-1 victory over St. Cloud State last Saturday.
“To me, that tells you an awful lot about Duluth,” Gwozdecky said. “They shut down a very good offensive team in St. Cloud, and I know Duluth’s biggest issue last year was not being able to score. Their leading scorer had just 17 points, but to generate as many chances as they had and score five goals on anyone in this league is significant.”
The Bulldogs are eighth nationally in scoring (3.86 goals per game) and 16th in defense (2.14). They allowed one goal in each game against St. Cloud State and have allowed two goals or fewer in five of its seven games.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
College hockey
MINNESOTA-DULUTH (4-1-2, 1-1-1 WCHA) at NO. 6 DENVER (4-2-1, 2-1-1)
What: WCHA two-game series
When: Tonight (7:35) and Saturday (7 p.m.)
Where: Magness Arena
TV/Radio: None/KLZ 560 AM
Notes: DU’s early home-loaded schedule only briefly ends this weekend. After visiting St. Cloud State next weekend, the Pioneers begin a four-game homestand against Minnesota (two games), and Colgate and Air Force. DU is on the road throughout December.
NORTH DAKOTA (2-4, 2-2 WCHA) at NO. 1 COLORADO COLLEGE (5-0-3, 3-0-1)
What: WCHA two-game series
When: Tonight (7:35) and Saturday (7 p.m.)
Where: Colorado Springs World Arena
TV/Radio: None/KKFN 104.3 FM
Notes: Among goalies who have played at least 200 minutes, Tigers sophomore Richard Bachman leads the country in goals-against average (1.24) and save percentage (.960). . . . The Fighting Sioux, who lost their first three games, are off to another slow start. Scoring is sluggish and goalies Brad Eidsness (2-2), a freshman, and senior Aaron Walski (0-2) have struggled between the pipes, both allowing more than 3.50 goals per game. . . . North Dakota’s top scorer is 2007 Hobey Baker Award winner Ryan Duncan, who has just four points.
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
