david carle team I could not do it We've been asking for better alignment for playoff hockey.
After last weekend's two games, nothing could separate college hockey's biggest rivals, the University of Denver and the University of Colorado. Not only did each team demonstrate that result with a 4-3 win on home ice. Money The bread rivalry is the It's been a while, but both teams are ready for the NCHC Tournament, which begins this weekend.
“I thought it was great,” Carl said. “I really went back and forth and did strict checks. the It was like that for a while. Played at North Dakota, played at Western (Michigan), Duluth, St. Cloud, CC, Omaha, we have It was a really tough second half. we I think it's driving many areas forward. the It was a great result for our growth and getting into the playoff mindset. it is We needed to win at this time of year.”
as the Pioneers begin postseason play with a best-of-two-thirds series against Minnesota-Duluth starting Friday at Magness Arena. they will do that Please say it briefly again. Star center Massimo Rizzo has been out for a month with a lower-body injury and is doubtful to play this weekend. Carter King, one of the team's other top centers, is out for three weeks with an upper-body injury. There is There's a chance he'll be back this week. it is Not sure.
However, none of these injuries are new. the What DU has been doing for much of this difficult second half of the season in a competitive NCHC that Karl expected. mentioned, And his young team coped just as well as he did. could have done it They've been called upon to do so and have won six of their last eight games, including another penalty shootout win (technically a draw) during that time.
Almost everyone have stepped up during this period, most notably all of the regulars being asked to take on bigger roles.
“I think it’s great to be able to show the depth of our team.” curl Said. “Obviously, not having Rizzo and King is a challenge for us, but I think they've really stepped up.”
Denver junior forward Tristan Broz, 16, focuses on a confrontation during the third period of a game against St. Cloud State University on Jan. 13 at Magness Arena in Denver.
Karl mentioned sophomores Liger Lorenz and Jared Wright, but junior Tristan Bross will be key, replacing Rizzo, who played exclusively on the wing through his two seasons at DU, as a top-line center. became.
“He's done it before.” genuine Well done,” Carl said. “I think so. the Good for him. It would get him involved in the game a little more. Being on the inside will keep him more confrontational, more aggressive, and more involved in the hockey game.
“Face-off means… Hit or miss Because a lot of it was timing and we hadn't been doing it for that long. he had some very goodnight.he There were worse nights. They are, hell We will continue to improve.I think the Helped his game a lot without doing any work. he keep doing it, was Without Lizzo in our lineup, we wouldn't have the success we have. ”
Pio and others have recently been drawing strength from the following players. new student — Montreal Canadiens draft pick Sam Harris and Denver native Kieran Cebrian. Harris has scored eight goals in the last seven games, and Cebrian has five assists in the last five games, serving as one of the team's top penalty killers and the top faceoff guy.
A goal with University of Colorado goaltender Kaidan Mbeleko (30) gave the Pioneers a 3-1 lead during the second period on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Ed Robson Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Denver forward Sam Harris, 12, celebrates afterward (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
But D.U. won't do that If not for Jack Devine's breakout season, they would have a 24-9-3 record and a solid shot at the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The junior from the Chicago suburbs grew up a huge fan of the Blackhawks and Jonathan Toews, and played in all 36 games as a Pios Ironman, ranking third in the nation in goals and fifth in points.
he Latest long line He is a great winger on DU's top line behind Bobby Brink and Carter Mazur on the right side.
“Jack had the opportunity to learn from Bob and Carter, be teammates with them and see how they work day in and day out,” Carl said. “Jack does a lot of the things you do.” please do not look. he I've been training my body and taking care of myself inside the (facility).You come here on Sunday and pick up your computer to watch. video at home (and) he In the hot and cold tubs, he Watching his shift. He puts in a lot of time and effort. that's what we see was I'm not really surprised by this performance, but he Having and its effects he It's about being on a team. ”
When Mazur signed an NHL contract with the Red Wings last offseason, he left a huge scoring void in the DU lineup. the Divine was trying to grab onto something.
“When (Mazur) left, it was something I thought about. But for me, it was just about getting better at what I could do, so if I had that opportunity, I wanted to take advantage of it. ” Devine told the Denver Gazette. “I think the It's a lot of hard work and dedication. For me, coming into the season and knowing how much work I put in in the offseason, I thought I had a lot of confidence. ”
Denver forward Jack Devine after disrespecting University of Colorado goaltender Kaidan Mbeleko, 30, during the first period on Friday, March 8, 2024, at Ed Robson Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado. You (4 years old) bless (The Gazette, Christian Murdoch)
That confidence led to a team-high 51 points and a plus-minus of 26, which was also a team high. he big reason Another 10th national title for DU. won't do that It's going to shock everyone in the Twin Cities next month. But first, They are He had to work at home against Minnesota-Duluth.
“We're really excited and happy with the situation of our game,” Karl said. “We know that the This weekend is hard work. was trying to take on a team it is We've had a lot of success in the playoffs over the last five years and we have a lot of guys who know how to win on that team. ”
