Those around the Denver hockey program call it the RRC Line, based on the players’ last names. Geographically, though, it’s the CCC Line — a Coloradan, a Californian and a Canadian.
However you spell it, it’s widely considered college hockey’s top offensive line. But if senior center Tyler Ruegsegger, senior left wing Rhett Rakhshani and sophomore right wing Joe Colborne don’t collectively lead the Pioneers to the Frozen Four, the trio might be remembered more for their playoff failure — perhaps the “Flameout Line?”
“They’ve done a tremendous job, and their burden is heavy going into this weekend,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said. “I don’t think they would want it any other way.”
The line has combined for 58 goals, but just two in four postseason games. The Pioneers are 2-2 in the postseason and take their first two-game losing streak of the season into Friday’s NCAA Tournament opener against Rochester Institute of Technology at Albany, N.Y.
A victory and the Pioneers advance to the East Regional final Saturday, with the winner of that game advancing to the Frozen Four. A loss and DU’s season is over, meaning the next time RRC is on the ice together will probably be in the NHL. Rakhshani and Ruegsegger are seniors, and Colborne is a sophomore first-round draft choice of the Boston Bruins who may turn pro this spring.
“I think we all thrive in pressure games, and I definitely think we’re going to thrive this weekend,” Rakhshani said.
They’ll have to play better than they did last weekend, when Gwozdecky benched his top line for most of the third period in a 6-3 loss to Wisconsin in Saturday’s WCHA Tournament consolation game at St. Paul, Minn. Gwozdecky saw too much freelancing and not enough teamwork in back-to-back losses.
“I don’t think Rhett, Joe or Tyler played any better or any poorer than any of their teammates, but because of their leadership positions on this team, I thought a statement had to be made, that we can’t go through the motions any more as we enter the NCAA Tournament,” Gwozdecky said. “I think some very positive things will come from it.”
Ruegsegger said there are no hard feelings.
“We weren’t producing, bottom line,” he said. “When we don’t, sometimes there are consequences. Sometimes you work hard, but nothing gets done. I think we’ll be better because of it the rest of the way.”
The benching seemed to shock the Badgers, who know the easiest way to beat DU is to shut down “RRC.”
“In my opinion, they’re the top line in college hockey,” Wisconsin center Blake Geoffrion said. “Rakhshani is so dynamic with the puck, ‘Ruegs’ is the gritty guy and Colborne is just the big body with great touch around the net. If you shut those guys down, you’re taking a big element away.”
Gwozdecky created Ruegsegger’s line Oct. 30, six games into the season, in part to aid Colborne’s development. The move sacrificed some third-line scoring depth, but gave DU a powerful two-line attack when Colborne started coming into his own in December. Colborne has a team-high 19 goals in the past 34 games.
“Gwoz knows the chemistry our line has built, and that we understand that a lot of our team’s success is dependent on our line coming to play,” Colborne said. “He gives us first power-play and penalty-killing opportunities, and a lot of time at even strength. We know that’s not going to change. We know we have to take advantage of it this weekend and produce.”
In Gwozdecky’s 16-year tenure at DU, the line rivals that of the 1994-95 group of Angelo Ricci, Jason Elders and Antti Laaksonen; the 2003-05 line of Connor James, Gabe Gauthier and Kevin Ulanski; and the 2004-05 trio of Ryan Dingle, Paul Stastny and Luke Fulghum.
Rakhshani, from Huntington Beach, Calif., leads DU with 29 assists and 50 points. He’s the most gifted shooter of the three, possessing NHL-caliber shots around the net. He and Colborne each have scored a team-leading 21 goals. Colborne, a 6-foot-5 right wing from Calgary, Alberta, has become a force by using his size in every area of the ice. He leads the NCAA with eight game-winning goals.
Ruegsegger, a Lakewood native, has 16 goals and is considered the team’s hardest worker, making up in grit what he lacks in athleticism.
“It’s been a long time since a power line like this has developed,” said former DU goalie Gerry Powers, who led the Pioneers to NCAA titles in the late 1960s. “My concern for this team, however, is how they are going to get production — offense and defense — from the whole team. Relying on a goaltender, and one line, seldom wins championships.”
That question is even more relevant with the second line banged up. It’s an all-junior group with center Jesse Martin (14 goals), Kyle Ostrow (16 goals) and Anthony Maiani (26 assists). But Maiani sustained what likely is a season-ending finger injury last Friday, and in Tuesday’s practice, Martin sustained an undisclosed injury.
The setbacks add pressure on the Ruegsegger line.
“When they’re on, they’re on, they’re lighting it up,” Maiani said. “They’re capable of three, four goals a game. Last weekend was just a wake-up call for them.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Leading DU’s charge
Denver Post reporter Mike Chambers breaks down DU’s top line, one of the best in college hockey:
C Tyler Ruegsegger
6-0, 200, Sr.
Stats: 16 goals, 40 pts. (plus-15)
NHL rights: Toronto Maple Leafs (sixth round, 2006)
Breakdown: Fierce competitor; emotional leader of top line. Has NHL-caliber wrist shot.
LF Rhett Rakhshani
5-10, 185, Sr.
Stats: 21 goals, 50 pts. (plus 12)
NHL rights: New York Islanders (fourth round, 2006)
Strengths: Has NHL-caliber puck-handling around net. Fools goalies with hard, no windup “snap” shot.
RW Joe Colborne
6-5, 210, So.
Stats:21 goals, 40 pts. (plus 9)
NHL rights: Boston Bruins (first round, 2008)
Strengths: Made huge strides this season, most notably in becoming more physical, making jump to pros likely.
