For all DU hockey fans a 5-1 home loss to St. Cloud State two weeks ago seemed to have drained out the last bit of hope for a third straight NCAA hockey title.
This past weekend the Pioneer hockey team resuscitated all of those hopes as DU swept the No. 1 Wisconsin Badgers in Madison to surprise the hockey nation and even its fans.
After home losses to Princeton and Ferris State in the Wells Fargo Cup, followed by an embarrassment to lowly St. Cloud State, it seemed that all was lost for the DU hockey team. Half of Magness Arena was empty by the third period of the St. Cloud loss.
This weekend Head Coach George Gwozdecky went into his alma mater and showed them and the rest of the college hockey world that the Pioneers are not done.
The momentum started with a much needed 5-2 home victory over St. Cloud State last Saturday.
“We are struggling at home, to get a win here will help pick up momentum and get in a little groove here as we got some big games coming up, especially at Wisconsin,” said sophomore goaltender Peter Mannino after the win over St. Cloud. Gwozdecky noted the importance of last weekend’s games in Wisconsin.
“Wisconsin is a very good team. They are very tough to play against and they don’t give you a whole lot,” said Gwozdecky. “They have pretty much mopped up on everyone they have played in the league thus far.”
The momentum continued to a 1-0 shutout performance against the Badgers by junior goaltender Glenn Fisher and the rest of the Pioneers.
Sophomore Geoff Paukovich chose a good time to score his first goal of the season in a shocking victory in front of over 15,000 fans.
“They are a great team, great players and great coaching staff,” said Mannino.
The same crowd was on hand Saturday night to witness another Denver victory, this time a 4-2 decision.
The game started with a Wisconsin goal followed by senior Gabe Gauthier’s 10th goal of the season and sophomore Ryan Dingle’s team-leading 15th of the season. It gave DU a 2-1 first period lead.
Paukovich added a powerplay and eventual game winning goal in the second period. Dingle added his second goal of the night in the third period to secure Denver’s sweep of No. 1 Wisconsin.
DU also got some extra help last weekend against the Badgers, as their starting goaltender, Brian Elliot, was out due to an injury and had started every game for the now 18-4-2 Badgers.
After the loss to St. Cloud State on Jan. 13, Gwozdecky told the players that they were acting as is if their dog had just died and that they need to have more fun.
Gwozdecky gave the analogy of Vince Young and the University of Texas and that they need to start having more fun and stop putting so much pressure on themselves.
“This game is difficult enough without putting pressure on yourself, especially in this league,” said Gwozdecky.
The Pioneers are now 14-10-2 overall and 11-5-2 in WCHA play, tied for second with Minnesota, four points behind first place Wisconsin.
Denver will continue their road play this weekend as the team travels to take on Alaska-Anchorage (6-17-3, 4-13-3) and extend its four-game road winning streak.
DU will next play at home Feb. 10 and 11 against Minnesota State.
“We are a program that prides itself on playing very good and when we don’t it is disappointing,” said Gwozdecky.
There was certainly no disappoint this past weekend, something that the Pioneers are hoping they don’t have to deal with for a long time.
