GREEN BAY, Wis. — Luke Salazar is like a lot of college seniors, facing the dawning realization that life is soon to become a lot less certain and structured. Today, he is a hockey player at the University of Denver, with a scholarship — and a degree in finance pending. In a couple of months, Salazar has no real idea what he’ll be doing.
“Reality is going to smack me in the face,” the DU forward said. “That’s why I’m just trying to keep this part, the hockey part, going as long as I can. Man, four years sure went fast.”
A nonscholarship student four years ago at DU, the 5-foot-7, 155-pound Salazar essentially walked on to the Pioneers’ Division I program. He eventually landed a scholarship and a regular role.
His against-the-odds story wouldn’t be a bad one for the current Pioneers team to emulate this weekend in Green Bay, where DU hopes to win two NCAA regional tournament games and advance to the Frozen Four in Tampa, Fla., in April. The Pioneers are a banged-up team entering today’s opening matchup with Ferris State. Nine regular players could not practice much of the week. Some forwards may need to play on defense.
The odds of winning with several key players out seems daunting, but so did playing Division I hockey to Salazar four years ago.
“Everything was so new to me. I had no idea how to handle it,” said Salazar, who attended Broomfield’s Legacy High School. “It was overwhelming to me. But I just kind of stuck with it and learned how to fit in and eventually succeed some.”
Playing 41 games this season, Salazar set a career high in points with 29 (12 goals) and scored two game-winners against Wisconsin, which sent the Pioneers to the WCHA Final Five Tournament.
If forwards such as Jason Zucker and Beau Bennett can’t play today, DU coach George Gwozdecky will look for more leadership from a player once skating on the margins of the program.
“He’s been playing the best hockey of his career here down the stretch,” Gwozdecky said. “He’s able to do more away from the puck now than he was earlier in his career. He’s a guy who can go in on the forecheck and get the puck and make a play with it. He does a lot more than just kind of hanging around the offensive zone and hoping for something to come his way. He’s been a big part of our leadership and our success.”
This is Salazar’s fourth NCAA Tournament, but he said it’s always an unusual experience. The games are played on neutral ice, in front of small bands of fans from back home, often at strange times.
“It definitely is different,” Salazar said. “But we’re a team that knows what it’s like to be in the tournament. Hopefully, we can keep this going beyond the weekend.”
For Salazar, the real world can wait.
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
College hockey
No. 3 Denver (25-13-4) vs. No. 2 Ferris State (23-11-5) Midwest Regional
Notes: The Pioneers will start Sam Brittain in goal today. … Forward Beau Bennett (wrist) made the trip with the Pioneers but is doubtful to play. … Forward Jason Zucker (upper-body injury) will be a game-time decision for DU. … This is Denver’s 23rd NCAA Tournament appearance. … Forwards Chris Knowlton (lower body) and Paul Phillips (upper body) are questionable.
No. 16 Air Force (21-10-7) VS. No. 1 Boston College (29-10-1)
Northeast Regional
Notes: This will be the Falcons’ fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last six years. … Air Force has met Boston College five times in school history, and lost all five.
