Zac Larraza is the unofficial poster boy for the University of Denver hockey team. Big, physical, talented and unselfish, the left wing is among a hungry, seven-member senior class, the Pioneers’ biggest since 2005, when they won their second consecutive NCAA championship.
Though he no longer serves as a tri-captain, he’s in agreement with second-year coach Jim Montgomery’s leadership structure. Montgomery named junior forward Grant Arnold, a fourth-line forward from Centennial, as captain. The alternates are three seniors: defensemen Josiah Didier and Joey LaLeggia and center Daniel Doremus.
“At first I didn’t understand but after talking to Monty — he explained why he was doing it — I understood and accepted the role,” Larraza said. “I think I’m a lot better off in this role than what I was last year.”
Larraza, 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, had three goals and an assist in last weekend’s 3-0 and 4-1 season-opening series sweep against Rensselaer. The Pioneers pummeled the Engineers and had an 81-44 advantage in shots. Larraza and fellow senior forwards Doremus (6-0, 200), Ty Loney (6-4, 208) established the rugged puck-possession play.
“I thought we scared RPI in Game 1,” Montgomery said. “We were physical, and you saw RPI players pulling up. Their staff kind of admitted that after the series. I expect us to continue to be a team that dominates territorially in the offensive zone because our strength is how big we are up front. We need to protect pucks and get pucks and people to the net.”
The Pioneers ooze unselfishness, beginning with their fourth line of senior center Matt Tabrum, Arnold and Larkin Jacobson, also a senior. Having devoted seniors in fourth-line roles is a big benefit.
“You want to be on the first two lines, scoring goals, but at this level you have to realize what you have to do to be the most impactful player on the team,” Arnold said. “Our strength is our seven seniors and the drive we have. It’s a different atmosphere and you can feel it in practice. Guys are hungry. And winning a championship last year, the NCHC, really helped us and we’ve fed off that momentum. We’re a very big, hungry team.”
This week’s area games
No. 11 Denver (2-0, 0-0) at Minnesota-Duluth (2-2, 0-0)
What: National Collegiate Hockey Conference series
When: Friday and Saturday, 6 p.m. Where: Amsoil Arena, Duluth, Minn.
TV/radio: none/none
Colorado College (2-2) at No. 6 Boston College (1-1)
What: Nonleague game
When: Friday, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Kelley Rink, Chestnut Hill, Mass.
TV/radio: none/105.5 FM, 1240 AM
Notes: CC continues its weekend road trip Saturday at New Hampshire (5 p.m.). … BC visits DU for a two-game series next weekend.
RIT (1-2, 0-0) at Air Force (1-3, 1-1)
What: Atlantic Hockey Association series
When: Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where: Cadet Ice Arena
TV/radio: none/1300 AM
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
