A half-healthy Patrick Wiercioch and a complete healthy dose of scratches appear to have been the keys in the University of Denver’s 4-0 upset of No. 1 Minnesota on Saturday.
The victory that snapped a three-game losing streak might serve the Pioneers the rest of the season, reminding them that Wiercioch could be the team’s only hard-to-replace part.
“The guy is unreal,” DU goalie Marc Cheverie said of the 6-foot-4 NHL-bound freshman. “He’s a top-notch defenseman and such an asset to our team.”
On a night Wiercioch returned from a two-game injury absence with the sole purpose of generating a power-play goal — which he did — DU scratched four regulars, each of whom had played the first 12 games of the season.
Out were freshman wing and leading goal-scorer Luke Sala- zar, senior defenseman and top assist-man Patrick Mullen, plus sophomore forwards Dustin Jackson and Jesse Martin.
The fourth line featured Stephen Cunningham, Brandon Vossberg and Julian Marcuzzi, who played their first, second and fourth games of the season, respectively.
“We’re fortunate to have such a great program, where we can recruit these great players that would be playing at any other school,” Cheverie said. “Your job is never safe, and that’s a good thing. It pushes everyone to be their best, and I think this team is going to be scary to play in the long run with all our depth.”
Wiercioch played less than 10 minutes and only during DU’s seven power plays. He assisted on Anthony Maiani’s power-play goal that gave DU a 2-0 lead, faking a slap shot before sliding the puck to Maiani beside the crease.
Gophers goalie Alex Kangas and the defenseman covering Maiani were sold on the slap shot, giving Maiani an open net.
“He’s very big for us on the power play, definitely the quarterback,” junior wing Rhett Rakhshani said. “He moves the puck very well and just sees the ice better than most guys.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Front Range rankings
1. Colorado College (8-3-3, 6-3-1 WCHA). Last week: Split at Alaska-Anchorage, losing 4-2 and winning 4-3 (OT). This week: At Air Force on Friday and hosts Colgate (4-4-2, 1-3-2 ECAC) on Saturday. Comment: Good road split vs. country’s most improved team.
2. Air Force (12-0, 10-0 AHA). Last week: Swept visiting Sacred Heart, 8-1 and 7-1. This week: Hosts CC on Friday and visits DU on Saturday. Comment: Nothing to lose this weekend except two huge statement games.
3. Denver (7-5-1, 5-4-1 WCHA). Last week: Split with visiting Minnesota, 5-2 loss and 4-0 win. This week: Hosts Colgate on Friday and Air Force on Saturday. Comment: DU is a combined 2-2-1 against the top three ranked teams (Minnesota, Notre Dame, CC). Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
