A year ago, University of Denver forward Anthony Maiani admits being tired of playing with the big boys. As a 5-foot-7, 150-pound freshman, the rigors of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association had taken their toll on the 18-year-old.
“There were times last year when I was really worn down and tired. Maybe I thought I wasn’t ready,” Maiani said. “I did the best I could, but there were times that were tough.”
A year later, Maiani is no bigger, not much stronger, but his production has more than doubled.
He finished with 15 points (seven goals) in 40 games as a freshman, but enters this weekend’s series at Minnesota-Duluth with a team-leading 33 points (nine goals). The all-WCHA candidate from Shelby Township, Mich., is tied for seventh nationally in scoring and tied for fourth in assists (24).
“My confidence is way up,” Maiani said Thursday in a phone interview while riding on a team bus from Minneapolis to Duluth. “I started off the season good, so that got my confidence up from the start, and things are clicking. I’m playing with good players, and things are just working out after a good summer.”
Maiani originally was scheduled to join DU in the fall of 2008, but the Pioneers asked him to come in a year earlier after Geoff Paukovich signed with the Edmonton Oilers in the summer of 2007.
“As a freshman, there were times where you could certainly see him starting to come on,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said. “During that phase where we lost (Brock) Trotter (to a professional contract) and (Tyler) Ruegsegger was injured, there was an offensive void, and Anthony and some of his young teammates were asked to play bigger roles.
“I would be shocked if Anthony gets much bigger, but we recruited him for his playmaking abilities, his ability to see the ice, and as he’s gained experience, he’s gained confidence. He’s carrying significantly more of an offensive load for us, particularly since we lost (Tyler) Bozak.”
Maiani has found a home in Denver, and so has his older brother. Domenic Maiani, who played three years at Ohio State, is in his first season with the Central Hockey League’s Rocky Mountain Rage.
“It’s been good. We try to see each together once a week,” Anthony said. “After Christmas my dad came out, and they went to my games Friday and Saturday, we had lunch Sunday, and went to (a Rage game) on Sunday night.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
College hockey
No. 8 Denver (16-8-3, 12-6-2 WCHA) at Minnesota-Duluth (14-8-6, 8-7-5 WCHA)
What: WCHA two-game series.
When: Tonight and Saturday, 6 p.m. MST.
Where: Duluth Convention Center.
Radio: NHL Network (tonight only)/KLZ 560 AM.
Notes: DU forward Jesse Martin (groin) likely will return to the lineup after missing two games. Defenseman Chris Nutini (shoulder) is out. . . . This series features the top two goalies in the WCHA in UMD’s Alex Stalock (13-8-6, 2.15 goals-against average, .925 saves percentage) and DU’s Marc Cheverie (16-8-3, 2.40, .915). . . . DU swept the Bulldogs earlier this season in Denver by 5-1 and 2-1 scores. The Pioneers have won four in a row in the series. . . . DU is 4-4-1 on the road, where it begins a five-game stretch.
Colorado College (13-9-6, 9-8-3 WCHA) at Michigan Tech (5-18-5, 1-14-5 WCHA)
What: WCHA two-game series.
When: 5 p.m. tonight and 3 p.m. Saturday MST.
Where: MacInnes Ice Arena, Houghton, Mich.
TV/Radio: None/KKFN 104.3 FM (Saturday only).
Notes: The Tigers, idle last week, have fallen outside the top 15 in the USA Today/USA Magazine poll for the first time this season. . . . CC swept Michigan Tech in April in Colorado Springs, 2-0 and 4-2, but the Tigers have not won consecutive weekend games since. . . . The Tigers have won just once in their past 12 weekend openers.
Connecticut (6-20-1, 5-13-1 AHA) at Air Force (17-7-2, 14-4-2 AHA)
What: AHA two-game series.
When: Tonight and Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where: Cadet Ice Arena.
TV/Radio: None/KCSF 1300 AM.
Notes: The Falcons trail RIT by one point in the AHA after tying and losing in overtime last week at Mercyhurst. . . . UConn is 2-11-1 in its past 14 games and was swept at home last week by Holy Cross, 5-3 and 4-1. . . . Air Force tied (2-2) and beat (4-3) the Huskies on Dec. 29 and Jan. 3, respectively, in Storrs, Conn.
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
