With 19 seconds left, the University of Nebraska-Omaha pulled goalie, Kirk Thompson for the extra skater. Fortunately for the University of Denver Pioneers, the Mavericks couldn’t convert with the extra skater on the ice and were able to hold onto a tight 4-3 victory. Continue reading Pioneers Hold Off Late Omaha Comeback Bid, Complete Sweep
Category Archives: Men’s Sports
Ice Age First Half Gives Mastodons Life, 64-65
This basketball game was not for the faint of heart Pioneer basketball fan – 3 for 17 from the 3-point line, 9 of 27 from the field, and trailing by double digits in rebounds – the Pioneers had a brutal first half. The Pios (9-8) dug a big hole against a good team, IPFW (14-3). Despite a second half rally and a brief DU lead, 58-57 with 3 minutes to go, the Pioneers could not hold on for the win. Continue reading Ice Age First Half Gives Mastodons Life, 64-65
Denver Hands UNO First Baxter Arena Loss
Link to game one article from Omaha.com – Mavericks Today. A view from the opposition. A full series summary tomorrow in LetsGoDU.
BOO Birds
One under reported story from the DU – North Dakota series in Grand Forks in early December was told by Minneapolis City Pages. North Dakota fans, upset about the November nickname change re-branding the school to the Fighting Hawks, booed when the PA announcers uttered the new bird name. The new name was decided two weeks prior to the DU series when North Dakota was playing back-to-back road series. DU got to hear the first expression of the fans displeasure. If you missed it, here it is:
Mid-Season Hockey Poll Shows Winners & Losers
Heading into this weekend versus University of Nebraska – Omaha, the Pioneers have been one of the biggest surprises in college hockey – unfortunately, for their on-ice results versus preseason expectations. LetsGoDU looked at the USCHO Preseason Hockey Poll and compared these predictions to the recent January 4th USCHO Regular Season Poll.
The biggest improvement was shown by current #2 Quinnipiac, originally predicted to finish 18th – they ‘moved up’ +16 places. Other big winners include St Cloud (+13), UMass-Lowell (+6), St. Lawrence (+6), and unranked Notre Dame that moved up to 14th (>+6). The second half of the season will show if these programs can sustain this improvement or will they fall back to earth, particularly Quinnipiac. Continue reading Mid-Season Hockey Poll Shows Winners & Losers
Nick Neville Leaves DU
On Thursday, the University of Denver announced that junior defenseman Nick Neville (Bloomfield Hills, MI) will leave the program for “personal reasons.” Continue reading Nick Neville Leaves DU
Denver Dodges Late Oral Roberts Bombs for Win 78-75
When Wednesday night’s game started, the big question was how would DU (9-7) respond coming off a 4-game skid. Were they ready to get back to the basics that led them to a host of early season victories? And, could they offset the inevitable rebound disadvantage? For Oral Roberts (8-9), could they adjust to the loss of their Summit pre-season player of the year, Obi Emegano, who missed the game with a concussion.
DU responded on all counts with a complete team victory tonight, leading ORU nearly the entire game. Late-stage drama occurred in the final 3 minutes of the game as Oral Roberts began to exchange deadly three point shots while DU was nearly flawless at the foul line, narrowing the game to an uncomfortable 1 point margin in the waning seconds. A desperation shot at the buzzer by the Golden Eagles caromed off the rim to give the Pioneers the 3-point win. Continue reading Denver Dodges Late Oral Roberts Bombs for Win 78-75
US Secures Bronze at World Junior Championships
In a surprise to most hockey fans, Finland defeated favored Russia (4-3) today in the gold medal round and pre-tournament betting favorite, team Canada, sat out the medal round of the World Junior Hockey Championships.
The US Juniors captured the bronze medal in a convincing 8-2 victory over Sweden following a disappointing loss after outplaying Russia Monday. The US finished the tournament 5-0-0-2 and landed its fourth medal in the last seven championships. Continue reading US Secures Bronze at World Junior Championships
Omaha Culture Captures the Imagination
Photo: Worlds Biggest Ball of Stamps, Roadside America
Are you making the 550 mile trek to Omaha, Nebraska for the hockey games between the Denver Pioneers and the University Nebraska – Omaha Mavericks this upcoming weekend? This destination offers a plethora of cultural and educational sites for visitors to the “Gateway to the West”, Omaha’s formal nickname. Others may know this city by its more informal nickname, “Rest Stop on I-80”. Continue reading Omaha Culture Captures the Imagination
Rebounding Differential Spells Trouble
Illustration – Wikihow
According to NCAA statistics, DU is rated 325th out of 346 teams with a -7 rebound differential versus their opponents. This deficit has become more pronounced over the last four games, all losses, as the rebounding differential has swollen to -12.75.
The Pioneers do not not need to win the rebound battle. However, they need to keep it close. The difference can be overcome by improved shot selection, reduced turnovers, superior free throw percentage and steals. Continue reading Rebounding Differential Spells Trouble