All Things Denver XXX

[dggoddard]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Times like these you expect your coach to earn his lofty paycheck, and Gwoz is not getting it done. All the recruiting is great, but if you can't get your team to peak at the right time, you are really not doing your job. I don't know what to think at this point, other than to expect another first-round flameout.

Like every hockey program DU has 18 scholarships to diivy up. But as we know DU has some of the highest tuition & housing rates in the country.

We also all know about the early departures.

DU made the decision several years ago to mostly give full rides and then bring in walk-ons and hope for the best. The walk-ons have developed unbelievably well. Nutini, Knowlton, Jackson, Salazar ect. In fact you can make a strong case that what has seperated DU from Sconnie & Goldy has been our walk-ons.

This season two full rides have evaporated. Martin due to injury and Wrenn. That just kills our depth. There's just so little margin for error.

DU's recruiting has been A+. Zucker is recruiters dream, but throw in Bennett, Nick Shore and Brittain and its unreal.

 

[vizoroo]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Seemed like a much better Friday night effort than we've become accustomed to. BUT the end result was the same.
Need a big "W" tonight.

Shame on you Anthony Maiani--getting suspended for an important game this weekend.
You better make up for it tonight.

 

[dggoddard]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Seemed like a much better Friday night effort than we've become accustomed to. BUT the end result was the same.
Need a big "W" tonight.

Shame on you Anthony Maiani--getting suspended for an important game this weekend.
You better make up for it tonight.

Maiani has missed quite a few games in is career via suspensions. Probably would be an interesting story what has been the cause...

 

[Chris]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Maiani has missed quite a few games in is career via suspensions. Probably would be an interesting story what has been the cause...

Well, his brother Dominic got booted from the OSU team years back, so we've made out better with our Maiani only getting a suspension here and there.

 

[Puck Swami]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

As I posted on DG's blog, I think we are seeing a young DU team that overachieved early, but is now fading into inconsistent play late. You must defend your home ice in this league, and DU never led last night.

This fade is tough for DU fans to watch, but realistically this young team was expected to finish fourth, and the team has overachieved to get this far. But the young guys are clearly hitting a mental wall, and all the good stuff they've done is quickly tarnishing with yet another late season fade. The goaltending has gone from top notch to inconsistent, and that really kills confidence. Letting in those first shot early goals is killing this team's ability to build a lead, and the comeback energy and resilience is not as strong as it was.

But as other WCHA teams sharpen their games and come together down the stretch, this DU team has not been able to put together the kind of consistent performances that would suggest playoff success. The mental toughness is in and out, and when you have a key senior breaking team rules this late in the year, it's indicative that this team's mental makeup may not be at the level of the competition.

As for the students, I am not going to make excuses for them. Most of them have lost interest in this team, and with so many other entertainment options available to them, they are voting with their feet.

Honestly, I am now seriously worried about Gwoz leaving. I don't see a serious NCAA run in this team, and I worry that the school will look at the last 6 years of poor playoff endings and wonder if resigning him to big money is worth it...

There is still time to salvage this fade, but I'm afraid we've all seen this movie before, and late season/playoff regressions are quickly becoming routine. If we are into simple winter entertainment, these 20+ win seasons are great, But if the DU program wants to be seen as elite, they have to find a way to be better at the end of the year then they are now...

 

[MagnessMan]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Well this thread is getting the kind of attention the pios are getting at Magness. The box says 5400 last night--looked more like about 4800 to me. DG: What happened to the push to get people in seats? I thought Sam looked good last night so I don't really buy the GT argument (completely--yes it's been a factor). I honestly think it's the D that has caused this collapse. Donovan and Lee both played like crap last night. Lee has been checked out for weeks. Ryder was the only D man that played with intensity last night. The other piece that PS alluded to is that the young team with talent is prone to individual (read selfish play). Donovan is the epitome of this right now. I know most fans love him and I'll get flack for saying this but so be it. The other factor is coaching. We all know that Gwoz's strength is recruiting. The four O guys on the PP is condoning selfish play.

Zucker is amazing and will most likely head for the door when this team folds. He is so well-rounded and fun to watch.

It was good to see KO back out there last night. This team needs him for an anchor of leadership.

 

[MagnessMan]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Much better effort tonight. D was better--Lee played with intensity for the first time in several weeks and Dono passed the puck and didn't try to be SuperDono. Drew's goal was a flippin rocket! Sam was solid-- I like how Gwoz stuck with him tonight. He'll come back and be even more solid next weekend. Let's hope we can put this stupid give up a goal on the first shot crap behind us for good! Cloudies played two good games. I was impressed by them--their fast and have a great work ethic. I think they will give UM or UMD a run for their money in the first round.

Still very concerned about the PP. 0-3 tonight and looked as bad as it did back in October. Frantic batting at the puck instead of setting it up and running the cycle.

Todd Anderson is a disgrace to the conference and he gets me really worked up. I wish he could be sentenced to working the balance of his life in Alaska.

Here are the match ups. I like SCSU;s chances to beat the Gophs.

1) UND 12) MTU
2) DU 11) Mankato
3) UNO 10) BSU
4) UMD 9) UAA
5) Minnesota 8) SCSU
6) CC 7) Wisco

 

[MagnessMan]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Correction
UMD v SCSU
Minn v AA

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Honestly, I am now seriously worried about Gwoz leaving. I don't see a serious NCAA run in this team, and I worry that the school will look at the last 6 years of poor playoff endings and wonder if resigning him to big money is worth it...

There is still time to salvage this fade, but I'm afraid we've all seen this movie before, and late season/playoff regressions are quickly becoming routine. If we are into simple winter entertainment, these 20+ win seasons are great, But if the DU program wants to be seen as elite, they have to find a way to be better at the end of the year then they are now...

A few things come to mind in terms of Gwoz's future and contract negotiations at DU. My understanding is Gwoz signed an initial contract in 2002 which terminates in 2014. In my view Gwoz is one of the elite college coaches in all of NCAA college hockey. He's just completed his ninth consecutive 20 win season, coached DU to two back to back NCAA national championships, 3 Macs, 4 BMs, a rare Triple Crown in 2005, he's 11 wins behind Lucia in all time career wins among D1 coaches, and 5th among all active D1 coaches in career wins among a very elite group: 1. Jerry York, 2. Jack Parker, 3. Red Berenson, 4. Don Lucia, 5. George Gwozdecky.

In my opinion, DU is still a young team and yet they finish in 2nd place. It's in the best interest of the DU hockey program to renegotiate his contract to meet current salary expectations for a coach of his caliber. In terms of a post season run, I think DU hits a different gear come playoff time and will be tough to beat.

 

[Chris]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

A few things come to mind in terms of Gwoz's future and contract negotiations at DU. My understanding is Gwoz signed an initial contract in 2002 which terminates in 2014. In my view Gwoz is one of the elite college coaches in all of NCAA college hockey. He's just completed his ninth consecutive 20 win season, coached DU to two back to back NCAA national championships, 3 Macs, 4 BMs, a rare Triple Crown in 2005, he's 11 wins behind Lucia in all time career wins among D1 coaches, and 5th among all active D1 coaches in career wins among a very elite group: 1. Jerry York, 2. Jack Parker, 3. Red Berenson, 4. Don Lucia, 5. George Gwozdecky.

In my opinion, DU is still a young team and yet they finish in 2nd place. It's in the best interest of the DU hockey program to renegotiate his contract to meet current salary expectations for a coach of his caliber. In terms of a post season run, I think DU hits a different gear come playoff time and will be tough to beat.

You know, this post really nails the crux of what I really hope for our Pio fans to get: That we are currently living in the second greatest 10ish year run for Denver Pioneer hockey in it's history. The sad part (to me) is that people aren't satisfied with this, no matter how true it is. I grew up as a little kid to my teenage years through the program's absolutely worst 10, 12, 15 (what have you ['80s - mid 90s]) years in which we were rarely in contention and a forgotten powerhouse long past it's prime. Myself, I gladly take some recent flameouts in conjunction with the 2 recent NC's over zero NC's and not even a chance for a flameout because we sucked so badly we couldn't even make the tourney...

 

[Chris]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

In light of Mannino's callup, I have returned. And if DU doesn't sweep this weekend, I am coming for all you sons of *****es...

Just an honest question: Since DU didn't sweep are you still gonna bring it or what?

 

[Old Pio]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

You know, this post really nails the crux of what I really hope for our Pio fans to get: That we are currently living in the second greatest 10ish year run for Denver Pioneer hockey in it's history. The sad part (to me) is that people aren't satisfied with this, no matter how true it is. I grew up as a little kid to my teenage years through the program's absolutely worst 10, 12, 15 (what have you ['80s - mid 90s]) years in which we were rarely in contention and a forgotten powerhouse long past it's prime. Myself, I gladly take some recent flameouts in conjunction with the 2 recent NC's over zero NC's and not even a chance for a flameout because we sucked so badly we couldn't even make the tourney...

Spot on. I recall at least one year where we went into the final series with CC to decide who wound up in last place. A lot of things have changesd since then, and Gwoz is one of them. And while the frustration of tournament early outs is understandable, we should be very very careful talking about letting one of the premier coaches in the country go elsewhere.

And that's generally the feeling of people who post here.

 

[Dmann]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Some random thoughts:

1- Phew!!
2- Nice of UMD and UNO to split for us!!
3- How cool is it that Ostrow gets to the century club on the last regular game of the season
4- Not thrilled about playing Mankato, very beatable though
5- I worry about Zucker, on many levels
6- I told you on Friday I had a bg sports weekend and here are the results:
DU splits
My HS bball team wins it all (we have Maine's "Mr. Basketball" on our team, he'll go div. I)
My 12 year old in the 11-16 girls group placed 3rd in her ski race
My 9 year old placed 1st in the 9-10 group!!! (this makes back to back 1st place finishes!, she could be the real deal)
7- I say do watever it takes to keep Gwoz!

All in all a good weekend

 

[Tipsy McStagger]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Honestly, I am now seriously worried about Gwoz leaving. I don't see a serious NCAA run in this team, and I worry that the school will look at the last 6 years of poor playoff endings and wonder if resigning him to big money is worth it...

There is still time to salvage this fade, but I'm afraid we've all seen this movie before, and late season/playoff regressions are quickly becoming routine. If we are into simple winter entertainment, these 20+ win seasons are great, But if the DU program wants to be seen as elite, they have to find a way to be better at the end of the year then they are now...

Denver letting Gwoz leave would be insane. No one thought Denver would be where they are this year after losing Rhakshani, Ruegsegger, Wiercoch, Colborne and Cheverie. Regardless of what happens this offseason, I think DU is in a similar situation as Minnesota. Is the person you hire to replace your coach who won 2 NCAA titles going to be any better than the guy you have.

 

[Puck Swami]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

While last night's victory was excellent, we're waiting to see what DU team shows up in the playoffs. If last night's team shows up, the Pioneers are a force to be reckoned with, and the team has a shot at serious run, as the effort was there and the big guns made big plays. But if the fall-behind-early-bake-up-some-turnovers-and-shaky-goaltending DU team shows up for playoff duty, the Pios will be done quickly. The Jeckyll-and-Hyde Pioneers of the last month are a young team with potential, but they must quickly learn that consistency is their friend...

Here are some barometers to watch for:

Early Goaltending: Giving up those early goals on the first or second shot of the game by your opponent is really deflating to team confidence in the goalie. It's usually all in the head. If Sam (or Adam) make those early saves, it builds confidence. Since it's Sam had a very strong start and fell off in the second half (he's very young), but is still climbing into consistency. If he can do that, DU has shot. But if he's shaky, it rubs off on the team. I don't think DU's ever had an 18-year old goalie in the NCAAs before, but at this point, Sam is no longer a freshman.

Matt Donovan: When he plays smart hockey, DU is a very good team and often wins. When he gambles too much on the point, DU often loses, as turnovers and odd-man rushes going the other way are critical. He knows this. He just needs to play smart.

Drew Shore: He can be a man among boys when he's on his game. Last night, he won critical draws, backchecked with force in the neutral zone and fired a NHL wrister for a goal when DU needed it most. If Drew plays like a senior (even though he's a soph.) DU is often in good shape. When the big guns play like big guns, the other guys can follow. On Friday, SCSU shut the Shore Line down and there was not much other DU offense.

Kyle Ostrow: His shorty breakaway last night was a backbreaker for SCSU, and as a senior, he knew that DU had to capitalize on the momentum shift created by Drew Shore's goal a few minutes before. It was a dagger goal - the eventual game winner that put him in the Century Club. He needs to be the inspirational leader of this team, and help create those killer instinct goals that deflate opponents.

All in all, the pieces are there for some good things ahead. This team has the talent level to be a top level team, but decision-making, effort level and leadership have all fluctuated at different points in the last month, and now is the time to turn last night's inspired performance into a habit and not a one-off....

 

[Puck Swami]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Denver letting Gwoz leave would be insane. No one thought Denver would be where they are this year after losing Rhakshani, Ruegsegger, Wiercoch, Colborne and Cheverie. Regardless of what happens this offseason, I think DU is in a similar situation as Minnesota. Is the person you hire to replace your coach who won 2 NCAA titles going to be any better than the guy you have.

Gwoz has done a great job to build the program to a top 10 level program in most recent years in terms of wins and recruiting. His players graduate, usually lead the league in academic performance, and mostly stay of trouble. Gwoz' major drawback right now is 5 years of consecutive underachievement in the playoffs, where DU teams have ended their seasons losing to teams that they were favored to beat, with no NCAA wins since the title game and two missed NCAA tourneys with teams that had the talent to be there but didn't get there.

While the winning and the graduating and the academics are great, the underachieving at play-off time hurts Gwoz's contract leverage for a big deal. Magness Arena is no longer selling out in this bandwagon town and I think the two NCs in 2004 and 2005 are starting to recede into golden memories. Some schools would still give Gwoz whatever he wants for elevating the program into yearly contention, but DU does not giving out lifetime achievement contracts. Gwoz got a top 5 level contract extension when he won the titles 5-6 years ago, and I am sure if DU can get back a top 5 at level the end of the year, DU will likely pay him big again. But if his teams continue to come up with gooseggs in NCAA tourney play, can they afford to pay elite money for non-elite postseasons? Some say yes and some say no.

Personally, I think Gwoz is a top coach and I like the consistency of 20+ win seasons, top academics and good recruits. The team is a great value and it's a great experience to have a progam that can compete with anyone. If I were DU, I'd probably pay him for that. But I can also understand the school's reluctance to invest top 5 money into a coach whose teams have been in an NCAA dry spell for 5 years.

 

[manurespreader]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Good luck to DU the rest of the way.... I hope you win. I would say that losing has a way of exposing your weaknesses and gets you a chance to work on them. Not always a bad thing if you keep your head on straight.

 

[HoosierPioneer]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Good luck to DU the rest of the way.... I hope you win. I would say that losing has a way of exposing your weaknesses and gets you a chance to work on them. Not always a bad thing if you keep your head on straight.

Problem is, a lot of the problems haven't improved at all since they surfaced about a month ago. The power play is still throwing up 0-fers and -2fers. Donovan will go from playing smart and not giving things up right back to his greedy ways. Sam is still giving up early soft goals. They're still playing 4 f's and 1 d on the PP, even though it hasn't produced at all. The first change I really noticed was that Donovan-Shore on the point were getting the #2 power play chances. But the combo is still the same. I just wonder what coaching is doing, cause on the surface I'm not seeing a whole lot.

 

[vizoroo]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

2 things I didfn't know:
1. John Lee is now wearing an "A". Don't know when that happened. When Ostrow went out?
2. Donovan was benched for the first period Sat. for breaking his stick near the end of the Fri. night game. I wondered why he was in the box for Zucker's penalty and now I know why.

It was a good win last night and we should have all the players back for the 1st round against Mankato.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: All Things Denver XXX

Let me just hum a medley of oldies but goodies: Murray retires, Harry Otenbreit dies--literally on his way to work, Ross Pritchard, Ron Oyer, "probation," Division II, an arena aging with all the charm of the Fuhrer bunker (while most of our rivals are planning to build new arenas) and the loss of the '76 Olympics. Any one of these things had the potential to cause harm to the program. Collectively, we're talking Katrina.

We've come a long way, baby. And Gwoz deserves the lion's share of the credit, along with Dan Ritchie. Could the Pioneers remain an elite team if Gwoz moves on? Certainly. But I'd be much more confident if Ritchie were still Chancellor. Our leadership now is a bit squishy for my taste (wait, is there somebody out there who might be offended by the word "squishy?") and I'm not as confident of their committment to winning. And hiring new coaches for elite programs doesn't always guarantee continuity, as the folks in Ann Arbor have discovered. And the fact that our players are good citizens and good students shouldn't be overlooked (see Auburn).

What sticks in everyone's craw is the one and done's in the tournament, especially last year (master of the obvious). Not just losing, but losing to a farm team for Rahway State Prison! All of us thought that team had a legitimate shot at the title, and certainly a berth in the FF. Now we've got a team that has over acheieved for much of the season that lately has begun to play the way we expected them to play all along. And the old fears have returned. This at the time when there are head coaching opportunities out there, should Gwoz feel unappreciated, under compensated or just want a new challenge.

What to do? Well, in football head coaches replace their co-ordinators. Ron Zook did that with some success at Illinois. Not directly analogous in hockey, of course. But maybe behind the bench is a place to look for some improvement. I said maybe! And maybe Gwoz has an infrastruture wish list. Now would be a good time to give him what he wants. One thing, I dismiss the idea that our stars are more interested in their NHL careers than they winning at DU. I can't see a downside for a guy having played on a championship team. These kids are competitors, and while dreams of NHL stardom doubtless fill their heads, so does the idea of being el numero uno when they're in college. I think all that talk is just frustration. I could be wrong, of course. But I doubt it.

So, what to do? First, do everything within reason to keep Gwoz here. As I've posted before, the good far outweighs the bad. Second, make sure we've got the best people to help him succeed. Third, commit to making some infrastructure improvements, even if they're minor. It's the thought that counts. We have here an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to excellence and we should make the most of it. For sure, kids and their parents are out there watching.