Kyle Ostrow’s return to the lineup didn’t prevent the University of Denver hockey team from splitting its fifth consecutive series, but the senior center and team captain helped prevent the Pioneers from getting swept in a WCHA series for the first time in nearly 2 1/2 years.
Friday, in his first game back from a rare abdominal injury that required emergency surgery Feb. 11, Ostrow did not register a point and had only one shot in a 3-2 loss to visiting St. Cloud State. The next night, he had a team-high seven shots and his un-assisted, short-handed goal was the game-winner in a 3-2 victory over the surging Huskies. The clutch breakaway tally was his 100th career point, making him the 93rd member of the Pioneer Century Club. The victory gave DU a second-place finish in the WCHA and a quarterfinal bye if they make it to that far in the league tournament March 17-19 in St. Paul, Minn.
“No. 19, what a difference to have him back in the lineup,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said of Ostrow, who missed the previous three series. “What a difference!”
Ostrow solidifies DU’s most experienced line, with fellow fourth-year players Anthony Maiani and Dustin Jackson (redshirt junior). Ostrow said DU’s inability to put together consecutive wins lately is worrisome, but at least DU is winning when it has to.
“Coming into the playoffs, you’re going to have to win two games to keep moving on, but it’s good we showed up in a one-game situation,” he said.
DU begins a best-of-three WCHA playoff series Friday against No. 11 seed Minnesota State. Then comes the league playoffs, and ultimately the Frozen Four, if the Pioneers keep winning.
DU, fifth in the PairWise Rankings (PWR), is ensured of qualifying for its fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament. Minnesota State will be playing for its season at Magness Arena.
“They work hard, and it’s going to be another tough battle,” Ostrow said. “It really doesn’t matter where you are in our league. It’s going to be a tough series. They all are.”
Footnotes. Colorado College and Air Force also host best-of-three league playoff series this weekend, but their seasons will be on the line. The Tigers are tied for 14th in the all-important PWR. Air Force is 30th. To qualify for the NCAA, a team must win its league tournament (automatic berth) or be among the top 13 or 14 in the PWR (at-large) when the selection committee picks the 16-team field March 20.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Front Range rankings
1. DU (21-10-5)
Last week: Split against St. Cloud State, 3-2 loss and 3-2 victory. This week: No. 2-seeded DU hosts No. 11 Minnesota State (14-16-6) in best-of- three WCHA playoffs Friday, Saturday and Sunday (if necessary). Comment: The Pioneers are the only team to produce top-two WCHA finishes the past three years.
2. CC (19-16-3)
Last week: Split at Wisconsin, 3-2 win and 3-1 loss. This week: No. 6-seeded CC hosts No. 7 Wisconsin (20-14-4) in best-of-three WCHA playoff series Friday-Sunday (if necessary). Comment: This matchup is one of two odd occurrences of opening the playoffs against the team you just finished the regular season with, but at a different venue.
3. AFA (16-11-6)
Last week: Idle. This week: No. 2-seeded AFA hosts No. 11 Sacred Heart (6-23-6) in Atlantic Hockey Association best-of-three playoff series Friday-Sunday. Comment: Air Force went 0-1-1 against at Sacred Heart in January, but had last week off and brings a four-game winning streak into the postseason. Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
