Goalie Marc Cheverie says the University of Denver’s defense has improved “tenfold.” He meant it as a figure of speech, but it’s actually a statistical fact.
In the first two games of the season, the Pioneers allowed 10 goals. In their past two games, they have recorded shutouts.
“Drastic change,” Cheverie said of the difference between the season-opening Vermont series and last week’s two-game set at Minnesota. “There’s really no other way to describe it.”
Cheverie, a junior from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, has played a big part in the turnaround. He has not allowed a goal in his past three starts and enters tonight’s game against Minnesota State with a shutout streak of 203 minutes, 19 seconds — just 5:23 shy of Peter Mannino’s school record.
“Our defensive intensity has improved, but let’s face it, Chevy has been huge,” DU captain Rhett Rakh-shani said. “We’ve helped him at times, blocking shots and stuff, but he’s really given us a great chance to win every game.”
Cheverie is the first to admit he hasn’t been challenged — or hung out to dry — like he was in the season-opening, 5-4 victory over Vermont. The Catamounts won Game 2 of that series 6-4.
Since, DU has allowed just three non-empty-net goals in four games — while still mostly using a blue-line corps that features three freshmen and two sophomores.
“Guys want points, and sometimes you don’t necessarily want to do defensive things, but I think our guys bought into it pretty quick when we had those shootouts early. That doesn’t work,” Cheverie said. “Our overall awareness has really improved. Guys are more alert out there, playing harder, playing desperate — probably because there is so much competition for ice time.”
Rakhshani said everyone is aware of Cheverie’s opportunity to break Mannino’s shutout streak record.
“Guys are joking around, saying ‘I might accidentally turn the puck over two minutes in and give them a breakaway,’ but no, I’m sure the guys will work hard,” Cheverie said.
He added that breaking his mentor’s record “is not a huge deal to me. I just want to win. I like getting shutouts, but the reality is, you’re going to get scored on eventually. Whenever it ends, I won’t be disappointed. I’ll always be up there on the all-time list.”
Mannino established the record during his freshman season in 2005. He is currently playing for the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey Association and has spoken to his former backup at DU this week.
“We talk pretty regularly, and it seems like he’s pulling for me,” Cheverie said. “I think he wants it to be broken. He’s one of my biggest fans. I look up to him as a mentor and a friend.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
