It was a sigh heard ’round Magness Arena during this weekend’s hockey games.
A sigh because the team put the disappointing weekend in North Dakota behind and swept Alaska-Anchorage.
But more likely a sigh because this month that we call February is almost over.
If they could, the Pioneers would probably like to cross it off, tear it out of the calendar and just forget about it, especially this season.
Let’s just say that February, which includes Valentine’s Day doesn’t bestow much love on the Pioneers.
This season DU has gone a discouraging 3-4-1 in February including 5-1 and 3-2 losses at Minnesota State to start the month and then a heartbreaking 5-4 loss along with a 4-1 defeat in the middle of the month at North Dakota. Denver has not only suffered in the loss column, but also in the personal column. Lead-scorer Brock Trotter decided to forgo the remainder of his college career and sign with the Montreal Canadiens. Then assistant captain Tyler Ruegsegger suffered an abdominal injury in the second game of the month against Minnesota State that has sidelined him for the past six games.
February hasn’t only haunted the Pioneers this season, but ask any of the seven juniors or seniors and they will regretfully tell you that the month hasn’t been too kind to DU hockey in the past two seasons either.
Last year, Denver went 2-3-1 in the month and missed the WCHA Final Five and NCAA tournament. In 2005-06 DU entered February on a five-game winning streak and lost three of four games which led to an early exit from the playoffs. In fact, Denver last had a winning record in February during the 2004-05 campaign when the Pioneers finished 5-2-1 and also captured the second of their back-to-back National Championships.
Sure, February has seen plenty of Denver struggles in the past three seasons on the ice, but let’s talk about off the ice.
If you happened to be one of the 40 students that decided to show up to the game on Saturday night you would know that the student section has also struggled this and the past two seasons. Just as Denver did for the Rockies during their playoff-run, DU does for hockey and well you can say for all of their sports, be a bandwagon fan.
Before the season starts hundreds lineup and sleep outside just to be a hockey season ticket holder. Once a few games pass and the mountains or other activities become more of a priority the maroon seats of the student section show more and more. There are no resemblances to the Cameroon Crazies (Duke) or Orange Crush (Illinois) or members of The Kennel (Gonzaga).
Students have chosen to sit more than stand this season. Dress fashionably more than wear Pioneer gear. And chit chat more than chant for DU.
If March is kinder to Denver than February and the Pioneers find themselves in the Frozen Four, just watch that student section quickly fill up. There are many other teams that do and have had bandwagon fans, but most of those teams have a dedicated fan base. The DU student fan base needs to step up and show that they care. Show that they support the Pioneers on their way to the big games and playoffs and not just when they get there. Support when Denver has a 3-4-1 February or 6-1November. And support whether Colorado College or Alaska Anchorage is in town.
Why not go support the Pioneers? The games are fun, exciting and if you’re lucky you might get a free t-shirt or ski day at Winter Park.
As Denver wraps up another loveless February it is time for the DU students to help push the Pioneers to a Frozen Four.
