College hockey’s computer game appeared to blow a fuse when evaluating the University of Denver’s sweep at North Dakota last weekend.
The Pioneers, who entered the Sioux series tied with Miami (Ohio) atop the all-important PairWise Rankings, fell to second in the computer poll after their 2-0 and 4-2 victories in Grand Forks.
Somehow, Miami strengthened its position by sweeping downtrodden Western Michigan (6-15-5) by 4-1 and 2-1 scores at home.
“The PairWise works in a number of ways, including not only how you do, but how your opponents do,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said Monday. “But at this point in time, I’m not concerned whether we’re (No.) 1 or 2 in the PairWise. We’re just pleased by our effort, pleased by the outcome.”
Further complicating the PWR issue is that DU overtook Michigan Tech for No. 1 in KRACH’s (Ken’s Ratings for American College Hockey) strength of schedule. Miami has the country’s 10th-ranked strength of schedule and is the only non-Western Collegiate Hockey Association team inside the top 10.
Still, DU remains in excellent position to obtain a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament, and nothing can take away from its fabulous weekend at North Dakota.
The Sioux were swept at home for the first time in more than three years, and DU won consecutive games in Grand Forks for the first time since the 1992-93 season.
“The games between these two programs, especially over the last few years, have become so intense, so emotional, and so heated, anytime you can have success, you feel good about it,” Gwozdecky said. “You feel proud, so that tells you an awful lot about how our group feels right now.”
Martin update.
DU junior center Jesse Martin separated his right shoulder in the series opener at North Dakota and was originally projected to miss two to four weeks. Martin was evaluated by team doctors Monday, but Gwozdecky had not heard of the results.
For now, Gwozdecky expects Martin to miss this weekend’s nonconference games and the ensuing series against Minnesota. Gwozdecky hopes to have Martin back for the Feb. 19-20 series against Michigan Tech.
Front Range rankings
1. Denver (16-6-4, 12-4-4 WCHA). Last week: Won twice at North Dakota: 2-0 and 4-2. Up next: Mercyhurst (12-14-2) on Friday and at Air Force (12-10-6) on Saturday. Comment: The Pioneers improve to 8-0-1 against perennial powers Minnesota (2-0), Colorado College (1-0-1), Boston College (1-0) and North Dakota (4-0). 2. Colorado College (15-10-3, 11-8-3 WCHA). Last week: Split against St. Cloud State: 5-4 loss, 6-4 win. Up next: Hosts Air Force (12-10-6) and Mercyhurst (12-14-2) on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Comment: Tigers produce their third consecutive split to stay alive in the league and national pictures.
3. Air Force (12-10-6, 12-6-6 AHA). Last week: Lost and tied at Army, 4-2 and 3-3. Up next: At Colorado College (15-10-3) on Friday and hosts Denver (16-6-4) on Saturday. Comment: Unlike in the past two seasons, the Falcons are significant underdogs in their annual Front Range tests against CC and DU.
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
