Re: All things Denver XXVI: From Boonetown to Motown
DU's had a few mid-to-late season meltdowns of its own in recent years, so here's hoping our team is on well the way to improving over stretch drive, instead of imploding.
Given DU's rather middling statistical performances in most national categories, there is serious room for improvement and peaking at the right time, and these next four road games against powerhouse programs in some of the most difficult arenas in college hockey, I believe, will go a long way towards defining what kind of team this DU bunch really wants to be down the stretch, and preparing them for what lies ahead in the playoffs.
The goal of course in the WCHA is to split on the road, and should the Pioneers come out with 4 of the 8 possible points in Madison and Grand Forks, I would consider that more than meeting the goal, considering the quality of the opponents. If DU were to bag 5 or more points over the UW and UND trips, that would tell me that this team is very well deserving of its ranking. And three or less points would tell me that the Pioneers are not the team everyone thought they were, and that more improvement is needed.
We're starting to see some leadership by the seniors, and thats very needed headed into the stretch, but there are still turnover issues, depth issues, goal-scoring and power-play issues that need fixing if DU intends on securing a top seed.
UW, I think is probably the best team in college hockey right now. They have terrific scoring, a great D and solid goaltending. The Pios have done well in Madison in recent years, but this UW team is really quite a bit better than any UW team since 2006. It would be a great result to get a split there.
Of course, playing in Grand Forks is always an adventure for the Pios. Lots of physical games, dasher dancing and ice-walks to look forward to amid the intensity of that rivalry, especially after Denver took two from UND earlier this season in Denver. UND misses Genoway, and might not be as strong a team as they've had in recent years, but it will be hard as always to get points there.
If the Pios can stay healthy and keep improving, this is a team that is going to be tough to beat. I like the Pios in goal, and with Donovan and Nutini returning to the defense will help from a mobility standpoint. Up front, DU's top line and fourth line are playing well, but we need a bit more from lines 2 and 3 as the season heats up.