University of Denver sophomore Beau Bennett practiced Monday and could return to the lineup when the Pioneers host defending NCAA champion Minnesota-Duluth for a two-game series this weekend.
“Beau did skate and participate in some of the drills, and he’s moving real well,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said.
Bennett missed last weekend’s series at Michigan Tech with a wrist injury, caused by a teammate’s skate during last Wednesday’s practice. The wound required stitches, but Bennett traveled with the team Thursday, hoping he could play Friday or Saturday.
But Gwozdecky said Bennett needed to prove he could stick-handle and shoot without reopening the wound, and that first opportunity wasn’t available until Friday.
“Because of our travel schedule, it’s so tough to get in and out of Houghton (Mich.) these days, so we couldn’t practice on Thursday,” Gwozdecky said. “So we didn’t get on the ice there until our pregame skate Friday, and at that point we realized Beau wasn’t going to be able to play.”
Bennett, a 2010 first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins, was coming off a five-assist series the previous weekend against Minnesota State. In four games, he has a goal and six points.
Murray update.
Gwozdecky said DU goalie Adam Murray, who was pulled early in last Friday’s game because of an upper-body injury, did not practice Monday and is questionable for this weekend.
Murray surrendered three goals on six shots during the first 10:22 of the game, and the junior was replaced by freshman Juho Olkinuora. Olkinuora stopped 17-of-18 shots, but DU allowed three empty-net goals in the third period.
Bad tie.
Air Force coach Frank Serratore was disappointed with his otherwise hardworking team after Saturday’s 3-3 tie against Canisius in an Atlantic Hockey Association game at Cadet Ice Arena.
“The game is 60 minutes, not 58,” Serratore said.
With a pulled goaltender, the Golden Griffins scored twice in the final 1:34 of the third period to force overtime and ultimately salvage a point.
“We cheated ourselves at the end,” said Serratore, whose team held a 48-24 advantage in shots. “I love the kind of effort we had tonight and our game was pretty good overall. But this one is a kick in the stomach.”
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
Front Range rankings
1. Colorado College (4-0, 2-0 Western Collegiate Hockey Association)
Last week: Won twice at Rensselaer, 4-1 and 4-1. This week: At Nebraska-Omaha (4-4, 3-1 WCHA) on Friday and Saturday. Comment: Tigers fifth nationally in average goals (4.25) and goals against (1.75, tied with two others).
2. Denver (3-2-1, 2-1-1 WCHA)
Last week: Lost and tied at Michigan Tech, 7-2 and 2-2. This week: Hosts Minnesota- Duluth (4-3-1, 2-2-0 WCHA) on Friday and Saturday. Comment: Pioneers third-string goalie Juho Olkinuora has allowed only three goals in 122 minutes (.940 save percentage).
3. Air Force (3-2-2, 2-0-1 Atlantic Hockey Association)
Last week: Tied Canisius 3-3. This week: Hosts Sacred Heart (0-6, 0-2 AHA) on Friday and Saturday.
Comment: Falcons now have two “bad” ties against teams with a combined record of 1-9-2.
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
