Last weekend’s two losses to Boston College were undoubtedly one large growing pain for the University of Denver’s talented crop of youngsters.
Specifically, the three freshmen and two sophomores who made up one power-play unit struggled mightily, often turning over the puck in the offensive zone without being pressured.
DU’s power play went 0-of-17 in the series, including 0-of-9 on Saturday. Two units were to blame, but the younger one that featured freshmen Beau Bennett, Jason Zucker and David Makowski and sophomores Drew Shore and Matt Donovan was especially ineffective and allowed a short-handed goal and several other BC scoring chances.
“Our freshmen are very talented and our sophomores are very talented, but at this level it takes more than talent to be consistently effective and successful,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said. “Those guys, at times, they don’t understand. They’re under pressure, they’re under the gun, and you can see some of the plays they’re making — they come to the bench, shaking their head like, ‘Why did I make that play? I’m better than that.’
“But when you’re playing this level of competition and you haven’t experienced that in the past, at times it’s going to get the better of you. It’s certainly what happened to us (last weekend).”
Gwozdecky expects his young specialists to have more composure in this weekend’s series against Wisconsin. Friday’s game at Magness Arena is the Western Collegiate Hockey Association opener for both teams.
On Monday, DU put away its 6-2 and 3-0 losses to BC, the defending national champion, and began preparing for the Badgers, last year’s NCAA runners-up.
“We need to work on it a lot this week,” DU senior forward and captain Kyle Ostrow said of the power play. “When you get that many opportunities, you have to score a couple to give yourselves a chance.”
Ostrow was one of the point men on DU’s second power-play unit against BC, opposite senior defenseman Chris Nutini. Senior forwards Jesse Martin and Anthony Maiani and sophomore wing Chris Knowlton completed the more veteran group.
Footnotes. Front Range programs have been offensively challenged thus far. Colorado College (2.25 goals per game) is tied for 36th in national scoring out of 58 teams. DU and Air Force are tied for 38th at 2.00. . . . DU (1-2-1) is below .500 for the first time since beginning 2-3 in 2006-07. The Pioneers have not had a losing season since 1999-2000 (16-23-2) and have won at least 20 games nine consecutive seasons.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Front Range rankings
1. COLORADO COLLEGE (2-1-1, 0-0 WCHA)
Last week: Beat Alaska-Anchorage 4-3 and lost to Alaska (Fairbanks) 2-1 at the Fairbanks tournament. This week: At Minnesota State (0-1-3, 0-1-1) on Friday and Saturday. Comment: The Tigers got ready for the WCHA schedule with a good showing against the tough Nanooks from Fairbanks.
2. DENVER (1-2-1, 0-0 WCHA)
Last week: Swept by visiting Boston College, 6-2 and 3-0. This week: Hosts Wisconsin (3-1, 0-0 WCHA) on Friday and Saturday. Comment: Dating to last season, the Pioneers are 1-5-1 in their past seven games.
3. AIR FORCE (0-3, 0-1 AHA)
Last week: Lost at Robert Morris 3-2. This week: Hosts American International (0-3, 0-3 AHA) on Friday and Saturday. Comment: The Falcons prepare for their home opener against what could be the worst college team in the country.
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
