Three weeks ago, the University of Denver had a chance to dethrone then-top-ranked and undefeated Colorado College. Despite outshooting the Tigers a combined 88-49, the Pioneers fell short, tying 2-2 in Denver and losing 3-2 in Colorado Springs.
This weekend, another magnificent opportunity awaits DU, which hosts No. 1 Minnesota tonight and Saturday at Magness Arena.
The Golden Gophers (6-0-4) are risking their first loss of the season against the Pioneers (6-4-1).
“I’d like to be in position to where the teams we’re playing are playing the No. 1 team, but that’s not the case,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said. “Nonetheless, we’ve got two very good teams from our league going against each other this weekend, and it should be a really good series.”
The Pioneers went 4-0-1 against Minnesota last season, outscoring the Gophers a combined 16-5 — including 2-1 in the WCHA Tournament championship game. Then-freshman Tyler Bozak had seven goals in the five games, but the super sophomore has gone pointless in his last three games, after producing a team-high 13 in his first eight.
As a result, DU is struggling offensively and is coming off two losses last weekend at St. Cloud State. The Huskies won 4-2 and 2-1 by taming DU’s explosive offense with extraordinary toughness.
“We have to do a better job of dictating tempo and how the game is going to be played,” Gwozdecky said. “St. Cloud came out and was very physical and played with great intensity. That’s something we have to understand and prepare for, because those are the type of situations we’re going to face this year.”
WCHA-leading Minnesota has just two seniors but is getting terrific play from a star-studded junior class and a handful of underclassmen. Junior forward Ryan Stoa, an Avalanche draftee, leads the team with nine goals and 16 points, and freshman Jordan Schroeder has a team-high 10 assists.
Sophomore goaltender Alex Kangas has played every minute, allowing just 19 goals.
“No question, we need everyone to perform well this weekend,” Gwozdecky said. “Whatever role they have, they have to perform as best as they can. Whether that’s Tyler Bozak or (whomever). If their role is to create offense, and Tyler Bozak is one of those guys, we expect them to perform.”
Serratore signs extension.
Air Force coach Frank Serratore agreed to a five-year contract extension through the 2012-13 season, the school announced Thursday.
“Five years ago, we only won 10 games. It was a bad year. They extended my contract after that year. That meant a lot to me,” Serratore said. “Knowing these people stuck with me through the bad times, it makes a decision to re-up really easy.”
Serratore is 180-201-30 in 12 seasons at Air Force. Before 2007, the Falcons never played in the NCAA Tournament, but have qualified the past two years, and nearly upset Minnesota and Miami (Ohio) in first-round regional games. Air Force is the country’s only undefeated and untied hockey team going into this weekend’s play.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
College hockey
NO. 1 MINNESOTA (6-0-4, 5-0-3 WCHA) AT NO. 10 DENVER (6-4-1, 4-3-1 WCHA)
What: WCHA two-game series
When: Tonight (7:35 p.m.) and Saturday (7 p.m.)
Where: Magness Arena
TV/Radio: FSN/KLZ 560 AM
Notes: Jim White, a longtime WCHA off-ice official for DU games, will be posthumously honored before tonight’s game. White died Nov. 6 of liver and kidney failure. He was 65. . . . Pioneers freshman defenseman Patrick Wiercioch is questionable with an upper-body injury. . . . DU is 2-4-1 since beginning 4-0. . . . The Pioneers are 5-1-1 against ranked teams and 6-1-1 at home. . . . Minnesota’s power play is ranked sixth nationally, at 20.8 percent.
NO. 3 COLORADO COLLEGE (7-2-3, 5-2-1 WCHA) AT ALASKA-ANCHORAGE (6-4-2, 3-3-2 WCHA)
What: WCHA two-game series
When: Tonight and Saturday, 9 p.m. MST
Where: Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska
TV/Radio: None/KKFN 104.3 FM
Notes: CC is 1-1-3 on the road but is 6-0 at Alaska-Anchorage since 2004. . . . The Seawolves, who have gotten goals from 14 players, were picked to finish last in the 10-team WCHA but have already matched last season’s three league wins and are one shy of their overall total of seven.
SACRED HEART (2-6-2, 2-4-2 AHA) AT NO. 12 AIR FORCE (10-0, 8-0 AHA)
What: AHA two-game series
When: Tonight (7 p.m.) and Saturday (7:30 p.m.)
Where: Cadet Ice Arena
TV/Radio: None/KCS 1300 AM
Notes: Air Force’s 10-game winning streak is a school record and the country’s longest this season. . . . Falcons linemates Jacques Lamoureux and Brent Olson are in a three-way tie with an NCAA-most 19 points, and Air Force leads the country with 47 goals. . . . The Falcons swept Sacred Heart 4-1 and 4-3 (overtime) earlier this season in Milford, Conn.
