Since LetsGoDU made its triumphant return over two years ago, Denver and Boston College have played each other at least once each year. That streak will continue tonight as Denver makes the trip from Boston University to Chestnut Hill to take on the Eagles. As such, it has become an annual tradition between BC Interruption and LetsGoDU to each do a pregame Q&A. This has always been a fan-favorite piece and we’re nothing if not a crowd-pleasing blog (it’s ok to laugh). Continue reading Denver-Boston College Q&A with BC Interruption→
BOSTON – With just 16 seconds left in regulation at Agganis Arena in Boston, American Hero Troy Terry silenced over 4,000 buzzing Boston University fans as he sent the puck over BU goalie Jake Oettinger’s left shoulder and into the net for Denver’s fourth and game-winning goal. Terry’s goal not only served as the culmination of an incredible college hockey game, but it also gave his top-ranked Denver Pioneers a key nonconference road victory over an extremely talented #6 Boston University team. Continue reading American Hero Troy Terry delivers final minute goal as Pioneers top Terriers in instant classic→
As I’m sitting here at a Starbucks just across the street from Boston University’s Agganis Arena biding my time until it’s socially acceptable to find a bar for some pregame libations, I can’t help but reflect on the journey that’s led LetsGoDU to this point. A little over two years ago, when Tim Thompson and I (well Tim more than I) decided to revive LetsGoDU and build on the incredible foundation that Damien Goddard, LetsGoDU godfather had already built, I don’t think either of us were really prepared for the journey we were about to embark upon. Continue reading Reflections from Beantown on our journey so far→
LetsGoDU’s Nick Tremaroli will be writing, tweeting, and yelling live from Boston University’s Agganis Arena for Friday night’s match-up between the Terriers (#6) and the Pioneers (#1). Tremaroli will not be there for the Saturday game vs. Boston College (#19) because “spending one night with 6,000 Bostonians is more than enough.”
However, Nick is looking to spend some time with the boys of the fabled BC Interruption, a site which provides news, analysis and maybe some slightly biased opinions on Eagles hockey. Hopefully, assuming beer and traffic don’t get in the way, Nick and the BC Interruption crew will get together for a preview of Saturday night’s contest prior to the game between the BC Eagles and Pioneers to be held at the Conte Forum Saturday night.
Well here we are just three weeks into the Denver Pioneers hockey season and they are already headed into the belly of the beast. This weekend the Pios travel to Boston to take on the Boston University Terriers (#6) on Friday and the Boston College Eagles (#19) on Saturday. The Pioneers are still #1 in the USCHO poll after their series with Lake Superior State last weekend where they came away with a tie and a win. The NCHC is well represented in the USCHO poll with St. Cloud State just behind Denver at #2, the University of North Dakota at #4, and the University of Minnesota-Duluth at #10.
The Pioneers played both Boston College and Boston University last year at Magness Arena less than a week apart. The Pioneers fell to the Eagles 3-1 after goaltender Joseph Woll stopped 40/41 shots in the Ice Breaker Tournament. Later that week, the Pioneers hosted the Terriers and won 4-3 in a game that featured current Arizona Coyote Clayton Keller. Denver scored the first three goals of the game, but even after a strong comeback BU wasn’t able to tie it up in the final moments of the game.
This year between BC and BU, they have a combined 17 players drafted to NHL teams, 5 with BC and 12 with BU. And that doesn’t count standout freshman Brady Tkachuk.
These two games will be a big test to the Pioneers even though their stars know what it takes to play a good road game. Boston University’s Agganis Arena will be a hostile environment on Friday as BU will be looking to knock the Pios off their #1 seed.
Boston University Record: 3-2-1
Boston College Record: 1-3-1
Who’s In?
Boston University
BU is one of the most prestigious hockey programs in the country, therefore they always get the cream of the crop in terms of prospects. This year they added three defenseman and six forwards to their 2017-18 roster featuring Shane Bowers, David Farrance, and Brady Tkachuk.
Tkachuk has already been turning heads at BU as a freshman who already has four assists. He is projected to be a top first round selection in the 2018 NHL Draft.
The Eagles added six freshman to their roster for the 2017-18 season including one defenseman and five forwards. Forwards Logan Hutsko, Jacob Tortora, and Christopher Grando have already made early contributions this season collecting 4, 3, & 2 points, respectively.
Both Hutsko and Tortora were on the United States Under-17 & Under-18 National Teams. Grando played two seasons in the United States Hockey League for the Green Bay Gamblers where he scored a total of 54 points.
Who’s Out?
Boston University
The good thing about Boston University’s hockey team is that when they lose a handful of NHL prospects, they add just as many in next year’s freshman class. Here is what the Terriers lost last season.
Cangelosi is with the New Jersey Devils AHL affiliate, the Albany Devils
Gaudreau is with the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers
White signed an entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators
Fitzgerald was a 4th round selection of the Boston Bruins and is with their AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins
Scott Savage is with the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen
Strengths
Boston University
This team has a lot of talent on the ice and can score at will. BU currently averages 34.2 shots per game with an average of three goals per game. The Pioneer defenseman will be tested a lot during this game with a focus on a heavy forecheck from the Terriers.
The Pioneers need to stay away from the penalty box in this game because the Terriers power-play is lethal. BU is currently 8-24 executing on 33% of their power-play opportunities. A lot of that has to do with their body position in front of the net, courtesy of 6’5 240-pound Jordan Greenway.
Boston College
The Eagles have a phenomenal goaltender in Joseph Woll. Although it seems like he’s not getting as much scoring support as last year, he can still take over games. BC is also averaging 27 shots per game so the Pios will need to limit shots from high scoring areas for Tanner Jaillet.
BC captain Michael Kim was on of the most impressive defenseman I saw last year at Magness Arena. He wasn’t the biggest guy but he could skate very well and was great at exiting his zone clean.
Weaknesses
Boston University
It’s hard to find any flaws in this team, but the Pioneers need to get into BU goaltender Jake Oettinger’s head. Drafted in the 1st round of the 2017 NHL draft by the Dallas Stars, Oettinger has all the talent in the word but he has been beatable this year especially on the power-play where he has already allowed 7 goals.
The terriers are also allowing an average of 32 shots from their opponents. The memo from coach Montgonery should be for the Pioneers to get the puck in deep, win board battles, and shoot from anywhere. This is the type of game that will be so close that the winner will most likely come out on top because of a lucky bounce or two.
Boston College
The Eagles are committing an average of 5.4 penalties per game and giving up an average of 31.2 shots per game to their opponents. If the Pioneers play the way they did against Lake Superior State, Joseph Woll could be in for a long night.
Another weakness to consider is the Eagles power-play. They are just 3-16, converting on just 18% of power-plays. The Pioneers generally play a pretty clean game, but in case they get in penalty trouble their PK unit should be able to stop BC.
This is a very difficult series to predict. I think because the Eagles have lost so much talent from last year that it will be difficult for them to keep up with Pioneers. But Friday night, the Terriers will want to make this a statement game. There will be scouts galore at this game that is loaded with NHL talent, making every player wanting to play their best.
Both DU and BU have benefited from their freshman sticking around for another year and getting valuable experience in two very competitive divisions. It’s very possible this could be a Frozen Four preview. The keys for the Pioneers will be to play a simple game, get an A+ performance from Tanner Jaillet, and capitalize on any and all BU mistakes. Henrik Borgstrom has been red hot coming into this series and this is his opportunity to show a huge college hockey market how elite his skills are.
I’m predicting the Pios go 1-1 this weekend, but hopefully we’re pleasantly surprised.
Last night, the top-ranked University of Denver Pioneers rebounded after a frustrating tie on Friday night to top the Lake Superior State University Lakers 5-1 on Saturday. It was exactly the performance the Pioneers needed. On Friday, the Pioneers had 66 shots through the first overtime and last night, they sent another 54 on net. Over the course of the weekend, DU outshot LSSU 120-33 but scored just eight goals. There is room for improvement and head coach Jim Montgomery knows it.
The number 31 manned the University of Denver Pioneers’ pipes during Saturday night’s game against the Lake Superior State Lakers. While DU fans are accustomed to the redhead goalie Evan Cowley sporting jersey number 31, Cowley has since graduated and the uniform has been passed on and acquired by freshman Dayton Rasmussen.Continue reading Rasmussen dominates between pipes in first collegiate start→
After a lackluster Friday night performance that saw the top-ranked University of Denver Pioneers tie the Lake Superior State Lakers on the same night DU raised their eighth national championship banner, the Pios came back on Saturday and skated the Lakers out of Magness Arena in the series finale. Freshmen defenseman Griffin Mendel and forward Jaako Heikkinen each scored their first career goals, Troy Terry added two tallies, and freshman goalie Dayton Rasmussen shined in his first career collegiate start. Continue reading Freshmen shine as Pioneers rebound to sink Lakers, 5-1→
Last night, the top-ranked University of Denver Pioneers tied the Lake Superior State Lakers in a game that saw the Pios pepper LSSU goalie Nick Kossoff with 66 shots through the first overtime. The Pios did end up salvaging a psychological victory as National Championship Hat Trick Hero Jarid Lukosevicius scored in 3-on-3 overtime to end the game.
It was what University of Denver hockey fans had been dying to see for more than a decade. The elation that came from the back-to-back national titles in 2004 and 2005 lasted only so long and even the most loyal of the Crimson and Gold were getting restless. Would the Pios return to college hockey’s promised land? Is Denver’s reign as one of the top programs in the country over?
It didn’t take long for Jim Montgomery and his staff to answer those questions and, last year, the Pioneers finally reached the top of the college hockey world for the eighth time. Across the country, among DU alums and fans alike, there was a collective crimson and gold-tinged sigh of relief. Denver was back…and tied with North Dakota once again.
Tonight, the Pioneers hosted a pregame ceremony celebrating their historic run to title number eight before raising their 2017 National Championship banner. As such, now seems an appropriate time to take one final look back at the team that brought DU back to the mountaintop before shifting all focus on the 2017-18 squad. Continue reading #TrustTheProscess: One last look at Denver’s 2017 National Championship run→
