The last time the University of Denver played at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, Minn., Pioneers forward Rhett Rakhshani played like an NHL star.
On Dec. 8, 2007, Rakhshani produced a natural hat trick in the final six minutes of the game, lifting DU to a 3-2 victory and two-game series sweep over St. Cloud State.
Today, Rakhshani is back in St. Cloud, but his encore performance is uncertain.
Rakhshani, who is DU’s leading scorer against the Huskies with four goals and seven points in six career games, sustained what the team is calling an “upper body” injury in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Minnesota-Duluth. The junior left the game in the first period and practiced with an orange “off-limits” jersey this week.
He made the trip to St. Cloud but is questionable for tonight’s two-game series opener against the Huskies. The Pioneers practiced at the National Hockey Center on Thursday night and have a pregame skate this morning.
If Rakhshani isn’t sufficiently healed, the left winger will be replaced on Tyler Ruegsegger’s line with freshman Nate Dewhurst, opposite right wing Dustin Jackson.
DU captain J.P. Testwuide, a senior defenseman, also is questionable. Testwuide missed last weekend’s series against Minnesota-Duluth with a groin injury.
Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky isn’t overly concerned about the injuries to his captain and Rakhshani, an assistant captain.
“Even with two of our top guys out Saturday night, we were able to play effectively and win a tough defensive battle,” said Gwozdecky, whose team is 7-1 in its past eight games at St. Cloud. “I like the steady growth I see.
“I’m pleased by the way we’re starting to be able to adjust the way teams play against us. That’s a real positive sign. We know what our strengths are, and we’re getting better at some of the areas we need to improve on. There are a lot of positives.”
This weekend’s trip will be DU’s first two games outside Colorado, and second and third games on an Olympic-size ice sheet. The Pioneers, who lost 3-2 at Colorado College on Nov. 2, are 6-1-1 at home.
“We want to get on the road, where it’s just the guys. We’re looking forward to it,” said goalie Marc Cheverie, who has a 1.73 goals-against average in DU’s past four games. “And our speed is a huge asset on big ice. We did fine against CC and we’ll be better at St. Cloud.”
The Pioneers outshot CC 42-20 at the World Arena’s Olympic-ice surface.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
College hockey
NO. 4 DENVER (6-2-1, 4-1-1 WCHA) AT ST. CLOUD STATE (5-4, 0-3)
What: WCHA two-game series
When: Tonight and Saturday, 6 p.m. MST
Where: National Hockey Center, St. Cloud, Minn.
TV/Radio: None/101.5 AM (tonight), KLZ 560 AM (Saturday)
Notes: St. Cloud swept visiting Robert Morris by scores of 4-0 and 7-1 last weekend. . . . Huskies goaltender Jase Weslosky is 3-3 with a 2.52 GAA and .921 saves percentage. . . . Former DU assistant Bob Motzko is 68-47-16 in four seasons behind the Huskies bench.
NO. 3 COLORADO COLLEGE (6-1-3, 4-1-1 WCHA) AT MINNESOTA STATE (4-2-2, 2-2-2)
What: WCHA two-game series
When: Tonight (6:30) and Saturday (6 p.m.)
Where: Alltel Center, Mankato, Minn.
TV/Radio: None/KKFN 104.3 FM
Notes: CC is 0-0-3 on the road, having tied twice at Clarkson and at Denver. . . . Tigers goalie Richard Bachman never faced more than 39 shots as a freshman last season but has now made 40 or more saves in four of the past five games. In 44 career starts at CC, Bachman has allowed more than two goals just 12 times.
NO. 13 AIR FORCE (8-0, 6-0 AHA) AT HOLY CROSS (2-4-1, 2-3-1)
What: AHA two-game series
When: Today and Saturday, 5 p.m
Where: Hart Center, Worcester, Mass.
TV/Radio: None/KCS 1300 AM
Notes: Air Force was idle last weekend. Previously, the Falcons swept Bentley by 5-1 and 8-2 scores at the Academy. Air Force has the country’s top scorers in sophomore Jacques Lamoureux (19 points) and senior Brent Olson (17). Lamoureux leads the nation in goals (11), power-play goals (seven) and game-winning goals (four).
