Hours after being cut from Team Canada’s world junior team Monday in Ottawa, Patrick Wiercioch’s day turned worse. The University of Denver defenseman got stuck at a Calgary airport after his flight to Maple Ridge, B.C., was canceled because of minus-30 degree temperatures.
“It’s tough, because I’m disappointed and all you want right now is to be around friends and family,” Wier- cioch said.
The DU freshman — one of the few 18-year-olds to be invited to the camp — had plenty of friends before the roster was released. He said most of the players on the bubble huddled in a hotel room, waiting for Team Canada to announce the roster for this month’s world junior championship.
“We hung out together until about 4 or 5 in the morning, and the dreaded phone call came about 6,” Wiercioch said. “Obviously, there is disappointment. I knew it was going to be difficult to make the team with absolutely no international experience, but I’m definitely more determined.
“It was a first step I needed to take to make the team, so I’m definitely looking forward to next year. It’s tough, tough to handle, but a great experience nonetheless.”
Wiercioch will be available to play in the Denver Cup (Jan. 2-3), the four-team holiday tournament that includes Holy Cross, RPI and Boston University.
With or without you.
Without Wiercioch, the Pioneers extended their winning streak to seven games by sweeping Minnesota State. DU also played the series finale without its best forward, Tyler Bozak, who suffered a knee injury midway through the opener.
“It just reconfirmed that we have depth, and that’s a valuable thing,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said. “The game Friday was crucial, that we got through that one with a win. Based on our lack of success there, it was certainly a satisfying weekend for us.”
What’s up, Doc?
Bozak will have an MRI on his hyperextended knee today, he said Monday. “We don’t think it’s serious, but we want to get it checked out,” he said. Bozak, who leads DU with a plus-14 rating, will return to his hometown of Regina, Saskatchewan, today for the holiday break.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Front Range rankings
1. Denver (13-5-1, 9-4-1 WCHA).
Last week: Won two at Minnesota State, 3-2 and 5-2. Next up: off until Denver Cup on Jan. 2.
Comment: Deep, dangerous and taking a seven-game winning streak into Christmas, the Pioneers clearly belong here.
2. Air Force (14-2, 11-1 AHA).
Last week: Idle. Next up: Off until Dec. 29 vs. Connecticut (4-11, 3-5 AHA).
Comment: Falcons have the country’s best winning percentage (.875) but would probably have to sustain that to earn an at-large NCAA Tournament berth.
3. Colorado College (10-6-4, 7-5-2 WCHA).
Last week: Split at Minnesota, lost 4-1, won 1-0. This week: Sacred Heart (4-9-2, 4-7-2 AHA) on Friday-Saturday.
Comment: Nice win Sunday at Minnesota, but Tigers still haven’t won back-to-back games since Oct. 18.
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
