Photo by: Andrew Fielding
DU hockey plays WCHA-foe Minnesota State on Friday for the second time this season as the Pioneers begin the second half of their conference schedule the road.
The Pioneers (13-5-4) have won seven of their last 10 games (7-1-2) and already have the upper hand in the season series. Denver swept Minnesota State (8-8-4) in an early season home series, beating the Mavericks 3-2 on Nov. 12 and then 6-1 the next night.
Sophomore Drew Shore and freshman Jason Zucker also make their return for the second half of the schedule. Shore and Zucker return after participating in the US National Junior Team in the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship in Buffalo, New York.Shore and Zucker helped USA capture bronze as the two forwards combined for three goals. Down three goals, Team Russia completed a thrilling comeback to defeat Canada 5-3 to take home gold.
“When your playing against the best players in the world at your age level it pushes you to become better,” said head coach George Gwozdecky. “The one negative is that [the World Junior Championships] is such an mental emotional tournament over the 10-day experience.”
The return of Shore and Zucker give the Pioneers even more scoring depth as the team is playing their best offensively this season, losing only once in the last 13 games.
Junior forward Luke Salazar and senior forward Kyle Ostrow have stepped up in the absence of Shore and Zucker. Salazar had a stellar game against Northern Michigan, scoring two goals to propel Denver to a 5-2 victory on Dec. 31. The following night, Ostrow had a goal and an assist in a tie.
Like the Pioneers, the Mavericks are surging lately and boast some individual talent of their own in the form of junior forward Michael Dorr.
Dorr has been on a hot streak and should be a true test for the Pioneers after being named MVP of the Shilleglagh Tournament last weekend in Chicago, recording three goals, two assists and earning a +4 plus/minus.
One of those goals came in dramatic fashion as Dorr tallied the game-winning goal with just 23 seconds remaining as the Mavericks defeated then-No. 12 Notre Dame.
The Mavericks went on to win the third-annual Shilleglagh Tournament Championship.
“Their tournament victories over Brown and Notre Dame are significant. Notre Dame is a very good team and we have known all along Minnesota State has the potential to be very strong,” saidGwozdecky.
For his effort, Dorr was named Offensive Player of the Week for Jan. 5 after scoring five goals and five assists in just eight games.
Dorr is now tied with senior defenseman Kurt Davis for most goals this season.
“Michael Dorr is only one of a number of good players in our league,” said Gwozdecky, “Players will be made aware of Dorr and his line mates, but the problem you face is if you put to much effort into containing one player you might shut him down but open up opportunities for others.”
With a two-week break the Pioneers have had ample time to recover and prepare for the Mavericks. The Pioneers have continued to climb the rankings up to the No. 6 spot while playing only twice in the last month.
“Having had the weekend off might be good for us in the terms of having Drew Shore and Jason Zucker,” said Gwozdecky. “But taking a week off at this point in the season is not good for your timing and rhythm and it may take a little while for us to get back Friday night.”
The puck drops at 6:37 p.m. MST in Mankato, Minn. The series concludes on Saturday at 6:07 p.m. MST.
