Photo courtesy of DenverPioneers.com
The Denver Pioneers kick off the Frozen Faceoff playoffs with rivals Colorado College
The stage is set.
The Denver Pioneers host the Colorado College Tigers this weekend in a best-of-three series at Magness Arena. Head coach Jim Montgomery spoke to the media Thursday leading up to the first round. He spoke on how hard the Pioneers have been to play against lately, team first attitude, momentum, and how different playoff hockey is.
Monty on Colorado College 🎥 “This is going to be great for our rivalry” #DU1NATION pic.twitter.com/NrqiNrj03h
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) March 9, 2018
The Pioneers are 4-2-4 in their last ten games while Colorado College is 4-4-2. For the season series, both teams are 1-1-2.
When LetsGoDU spoke to Tigers head coach Mike Haviland last time CC was in town, he spoke about the development of his players. He mentioned that success lies in recruiting and bringing in “your own guys” to help build the program is key. Haviland has a handful of players that are having career seasons under his watch which is something to look out for in this rivalry. Haviland is a nominee for the NCHC coach of the year.
As for the Pioneers, they racked up several end-of-season accolades from the NCHC:
Player of the Year / Forward of the Year / Rookie of the Year / Three Stars Award
Gotta like our chances #DU1NATIONhttps://t.co/1khgRt0ucB
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) March 8, 2018
This series could be interesting, especially if CC somehow squeaks out a win Friday or Saturday. With every NCHC in the playoffs, coach Mike Haviland would love to play spoiler this weekend. But honestly, you’ll probably see a different DU team. They will be playing a strategic, high-energy style that got them their NCAA title last year. Expect the Pioneers to be all business.
Who to Watch
Congratulations to Nick Halloran and Mason Bergh for their selections to the 2017-18 NCHC all-conference teams…. https://t.co/DR6xvz9IrT
— CC Hockey (@CC_Hockey1) March 7, 2018
#13 – F – Nick Halloran – 19G, 25A
#15 – F – Mason Bergh – 16G, 21A
#14 – F – Trey Bradley – 6G, 21A
#27 – F – Troy Conzo – 5G, 9A
#1 – G – Alex Leclerc – 14-13-4, 3.25 GAA, .904 SV%
Other matchups in the NCHC First Round include:
No. 1 St. Cloud State vs. No. 8 Miami
No. 3 Duluth vs. No. 6 Western Michigan
No. 4 North Dakota vs. No. 5 Omaha
Twitter Follow – @CC_Hockey1
Where to Watch/Listen
Friday @ Magness Arena – 7:00pm MT, ESPN Denver 1600
Saturday @ Magness Arena – 7:00pm MT,ESPN Denver 1600
Sunday (if necessary) @ Magness Arena – 6:00pm MT, ESPN Denver 1600
Honestly, I’d rather be playing CC at World Arena than at Magness.
DU is the faster, better skating and more highly skilled team, which is accentuated on the big ice in Colorado Springs. At Magness, on NHL-sized ice, a clogged neutral zone can mitigate DU’s speed and skill advantage.
As we’ve seen, CC is vastly improved team and has restored the luster to the rivalry.
DU must get to the net front this weekend, and take advantage of its power play…
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The postseason is upon us, finally. After a treading water for most of the 2nd half of the regular season, DU needs to pick it up. Foot on the gas, maximum effort, relentless hockey.
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