Based on their NCAA-best eight-game winning streak (six in conference play) and 10-0-2 record in Western Collegiate Hockey Association two-game series openers, chances are excellent the Denver Pioneers will win their first league regular-season title since 2005.
Denver (22-6-4, 16-4-4) needs four points over its final four games to secure its 12th MacNaughton Cup title. The red-hot Pioneers have 36 points, matching their total from last season’s second-place finish.
They would clinch with two wins at Minnesota State this weekend, regardless of how St. Cloud State (33 points), Wisconsin (31) and Minnesota-Duluth (29) fare.
“We definitely have the momentum,” DU freshman defenseman Matt Donovan said. “These eight straight wins have got us going. Hopefully the streak will keep us going. We feel good about it.”
The MacNaughton Cup is at the Denver-based office of league commissioner Bruce McLeod. He was unavailable Monday, but based on previous situations, he likely will award the trophy at the winning team’s ensuing home game. Thus, if DU clinches at Minnesota State, McLeod will present the trophy to the Pioneers on March 5 when they begin a home-and-away series against Colorado College at Magness Arena.
Unanimous No. 1. As expected, DU on Monday leapfrogged Miami (Ohio) for No. 1 in the national media polls. The Pioneers overtook the RedHawks atop the PairWise Rankings (PWR) after Saturday night’s games, and at this point of the season, the media polls generally mirror the PWR.
DU is 14-4-2 against the 25 PWR teams, including 4-0 against Minnesota. The Gophers (15-15-2) returned to PWR eligibility with their series sweep against visiting CC last weekend, and that helped DU.
Footnotes. DU spokesman Erich Bacher said junior defenseman Chris Nutini, who suffered an ankle injury in Saturday’s 5-3 win over Michigan Tech, is doubtful this weekend. The Pioneers, however, could have freshman defenseman William Wrenn back in the fold. Wrenn has missed the past eight games with a hip injury. The Pioneers also expect junior center Jesse Martin, who has missed seven games with a separated shoulder, to return to the lineup at Minnesota State. . . . CC hosts North Dakota this weekend in a series that likely will decide the fifth and final WCHA home-ice playoff seed. The Tigers and Sioux are tied for fifth with identical 11-10-3 records (25 points).
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Front Range rankings
1. Denver (22-6-4, 14-4-4 WCHA). Last week: Swept Michigan Tech, 5-2 and 5-3. Up next: Visits Minnesota State (14-16-2, 8-15-1 WCHA) Friday-Saturday. Comment: Pioneers’ four WCHA losses amount to their fewest in modern history. Their best 28-game finish was 21-6-1 in 2002.
2. Colorado College (17-12-3, 11-10-3 WCHA). Last week: Lost twice at Minnesota, 3-0 and 7-4. Up next: Hosts North Dakota (16-11-5, 11-10-3 WCHA) Friday-Saturday. Comment: Tigers will face a suddenly dangerous Sioux squad with WCHA home-ice playoff seeding and NCAA Tournament eligibility on the line.
3. Air Force (12-14-6, 12-8-6 AHA). Last week: Lost twice at RIT, 3-2 (OT) and 3-0. Up next: Hosts Sacred Heart (18-10-4, 16-7-3 AHA). Comment: Falcons are on a six-game winless drought (0-5-1) heading into their final regular-season weekend.
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
