The Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., host of this week’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association Final Five, has been a stomping ground for the University of Denver. The Pioneers are 6-1 at the home of the Minnesota Wild, including 6-0 in the eight years the building has hosted the Final Five.
DU returns to the Final Five at the “X” this week, opening Friday afternoon in a semifinal game against Wisconsin. The Pioneers, who won this tournament a year ago for an unprecedented 15th time, are 4-0 against the Badgers this season, outscoring them 22-12.
“The fact that we’re 4-0 is just going to make them come out harder,” DU goalie Marc Cheverie said. “Plus, it’s playoffs and everyone plays differently. It will be a tight game, for sure.”
Center of concern.
DU coach George Gwozdecky hasn’t paid attention to his record in St. Paul or against Wisconsin. The only number he’s concerned with is four — the number of centers he will need to field a lineup.
DU lost junior center Tyler Ruegsegger to a season-ending knee injury Friday in the league playoff opener against Alaska-Anchorage, and sophomore center Jesse Martin went down late in Saturday’s game with a lower-body injury.
Gwozdecky said Monday that Martin, who had a goal in each game against the Seawolves, is questionable for Friday and won’t try to practice until Wednesday in St. Paul.
The Pioneers have played the past 18 games without star sophomore center Tyler Bozak, who is scheduled to return in about 10 days when DU begins the NCAA Tournament.
“We have to juggle a little bit,” Gwozdecky said of his forward combinations. “This team has done a good job since Tyler Bozak when out, and when Ruegsegger was out Saturday night, the team did a great job.
“Every new challenge requires some adaptation and adjustment from a physical and mental standpoint. Our guys have gone through a number of challenges, and this is nothing unusual for them.”
At stake.
Besides playing for a championship, DU (No. 4 PairWise Rankings) probably needs to beat Wisconsin or win Saturday’s consolation game to obtain a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament. The Badgers (No. 18 PWR) will be playing for their season, and they might have to win the WCHA Tournament to make the 16-team national field.
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
