All Things Denver XXXIII

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

DU has 11 of their first 14 games at home. They travel to Mankato for 2 and CC for 1. They really cannot afford a slow start as they have 11 road games and 10 home games after Dec 1st with roadies consisting of 2 at UND, 2 at Bemidji, 2 at SCSU, 2 at UMD, 1 at CC and 2 at Minny. They need to have a strong home record before December with such a demanding road schedule after Dec. 1st. DU will again have one of the strongest schedules with out of conference games against Umass Lowell, Air Force, Yale, UNH, BU and Cornell (2). Luckily all the out of conference games are at DU this season.

North Dakota had a similar home-heavy schedule early last season (6 of first 8 (15 of first 21)at home, and basically all non-conference games at home (we had 1 non-conference game in Winnipeg against Clarkson)), but struggled to score goals. At one point we were 4-7-1. Fortunately we did well enough in those home games (9-4-2) to offset that we were horrid early on the road (were 1-5-0 in our first 6 road contests). Even still, we were just barely over .500 (10-9-2) before going 11-3-1 en route to the Broadmoor and an NCAA spot. What was interesting, is that going into our First Round series, we likely wouldn't have made it into the NCAAs if we lost (similar to DU w/Wisconsin). However, we won that series, won the Final Five, and somehow managed a #1 seed (I would argue that North Dakota last season just might be one of the weakest #1 seeds in the last decade).

Anyway, my point is that I see DU being similar to that North Dakota squad. I see DU getting out to a slow start early, but following it up with a strong second half.

 

[du78]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

North Dakota had a similar home-heavy schedule early last season (6 of first 8 (15 of first 21)at home, and basically all non-conference games at home (we had 1 non-conference game in Winnipeg against Clarkson)), but struggled to score goals. At one point we were 4-7-1. Fortunately we did well enough in those home games (9-4-2) to offset that we were horrid early on the road (were 1-5-0 in our first 6 road contests). Even still, we were just barely over .500 (10-9-2) before going 11-3-1 en route to the Broadmoor and an NCAA spot. What was interesting, is that going into our First Round series, we likely wouldn't have made it into the NCAAs if we lost (similar to DU w/Wisconsin). However, we won that series, won the Final Five, and somehow managed a #1 seed (I would argue that North Dakota last season just might be one of the weakest #1 seeds in the last decade).

Anyway, my point is that I see DU being similar to that North Dakota squad. I see DU getting out to a slow start early, but following it up with a strong second half.

The main thing I am looking for is a strong PWR and home ice for the playoffs. Early season out of conference wins against strong schools have been keys to DU's PWR the last few seasons. Big wins over BC and Notre Dame immediately come to my mind in the past few seasons.

 

[Garibaldi83]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

I'M BACK!!! OH YEAH..... So whats your guess for the O/U attendence wise for the game at pepsi center. I'm going with 3k

 

[vizoroo]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

DU #8 in USA Today/USA Hockey preseason poll. About where I thought they would be. The big question is how much scoring will this team have. On paper the defense and goaltending looks very solid. Lost a lot of offensive firepower from last year's team up front. No one will be complaining about a lack of ice time with only 20 skaters on the team with one spare forward and one spare d-man. Not much room for any long term injuries this season with the small roster.

http://www.usahockey.com/College/MensPollWeek1.aspx

I'll be honest, didn't really expect the Pios to be in the Top 10. So many questions on scoring. We certainly can't afford the injury bug to visit and in light of recent events by a nameless team, NO Suspensions.

 

[Pablo]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

I'M BACK!!! OH YEAH..... So whats your guess for the O/U attendence wise for the game at pepsi center. I'm going with 3k

Attendance will probably suck, maybe around 2,000. But I don't really care, and I doubt that DU does, either. It's an exhibition game, they just needed to find the game a home. There are much bigger fish to fry on campus with the presidential debate.

 

[du78]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

Last year's captain, Dusty Jackson, just signed with Gwinnett in the ECHL. Congrats to Dusty!!!

http://www.echl.com/gladiators-add-jackson-and-bouharevich-p179313

 

[Dmann]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

Hey Du78, my mentor for viewing the pioneers year after year!! Dmann has had a fairly major life change and no longer has Direct TV, gasp!!!So I got an email for Pioneer Vision at 20% off. Is this worth it?, how many games (hockey) will I get? I know you posted this a while back, but do you have the info handy and any thoughts on quality, reliability, etc. Can the games be paused, or viewed later. Do you have to be on hand while the game is going on? etc.

 

[vizoroo]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

September 25, 2012

11 days until DU's next game

#11 is Team Captain Paul Phillips, Senior Defenseman

10/6/2012 exhibition

 

[vizoroo]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

WCHA Pre-Season Media poll scheduled to be released tomorrow.Bruce Ciskie picks DU third with LaLeggia and Brittain on All WCHA team.
http://ciskie.blogspot.com/

More prognostications here: http://paisleyhockey.wordpress.com/
(Joe Paisley is the former hockey beat writer for CC/Colorado Springs Gazette.)

 

[ronmexico]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

Attendance will probably suck, maybe around 2,000. But I don't really care, and I doubt that DU does, either. It's an exhibition game, they just needed to find the game a home. There are much bigger fish to fry on campus with the presidential debate.

 

[du78]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

Hey Du78, my mentor for viewing the pioneers year after year!! Dmann has had a fairly major life change and no longer has Direct TV, gasp!!!So I got an email for Pioneer Vision at 20% off. Is this worth it?, how many games (hockey) will I get? I know you posted this a while back, but do you have the info handy and any thoughts on quality, reliability, etc. Can the games be paused, or viewed later. Do you have to be on hand while the game is going on? etc.

12 games on Pio Vision this season plus probably the first round WCHA home games. You can view them later as they are all archived. You can view/listen to games, interviews, highlights back to the 2007/08 season.

 

[du78]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

Rhett Rakhshani singing in Swedish

 

[dave29]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

At least Ciskie picked Brittain - the others picked Thorimbert as best goalie???

Why not? Should be interesting to see how he does. I would have probably picked Brittain myself but Thorimbert showed some potential last year. Overall though, CC and DU should have the best goaltending tandems in the league this year.

 

[32 Degrees!]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

Does anyone know if DU will publicize the practice schedule, while they're using the ice at Family Sports Center? That's the one off Arapahoe road, where the Avalanche usually practice, correct?? Thanks.

 

[vizoroo]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

FastHockey will live stream the CCM Prospects game on Saturday at 7:00 PM Eastern. Dakota Mermis and Quentin Shore will play for Team McClanahan.
http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=AU_01&id=319349

 

[vizoroo]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

September 26, 2012

10 Days until DU's next game

#10 is David Makowski, Junior Defenseman

10/06/12 exhibition at Pepsi Center

 

[vizoroo]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

If the Pre Season polls are out then it must be time to take a Pre-Season look at the team. Although I only see the team on TV or the internet, I still form totally unbiased opinions.

General Consensus: Pio strength is in goal and on the blueline.

In net, Brittain and Olkinuora are probably the best goaltending tandem around. (Coming off surgery Sam played less than half the season, Adam missed over month with a groin injury and Jussi, who was then thrust into the starter's role, had to be the recruiting coup of the year.)

Sam Brittain--12 games-2.36 goals against average and a .932 save percentage • in four postseason games posted a 3-1-0 record, 1.80 goals against average and a .949 save percentage. Sam and the kid from the south were both listed as All WCHA

Juho (Jussi) Olkinuora--22 games-first in the WCHA in overall games with a 2.18 goals against average and second with a .924 save percentage, netted the Keith Magnuson Memorial Award as Best Defensive Player

Adam Murray--the best 3rd goalie inhe league--14 games-2.98 goals against averagand .909 save percentage

On D, Makowski back after missing all of 2012 due to injury. Rookie of the year LaLeggia, Mayfield, and Didier have a year's experience in the league. And all three had on ice presence last year.

Team Captain Paul Phillips for the grit and leadership.
Makowski, LaLeggia, and Dakota.Mermis for scoring.
Mayfield (118 hits and 76 PIMs) and Didier ( Ryder's student had 115 hits and only 18 minor penalties) for BIG hits. Mayfield has to stop the 5 minute and game misconduct penalties and still play with attitude.

Incoming--Dakota Mermis won USHL Championship with Green Bay and Nolan Zajac is solid and the bloodline cannot be questioned.

Offense-Scoring--the elephant in the room.

Upperclassmen--Nick Shore-41 pts., Ostrow-21 pts., Knowlton-19 pts. in 30 games. It seems like last year I kept hearing Nick must be "snake bit"--couldn't get a goal, but he ended up with 41 points. To be honest I was surprised at the total. He may have been undervalued by this observer. Ostrow and Knowlton both had their best year. They need to top last year's output.

Coming of age sophs--Loney-21 pts. in 36 games, Doremus-8 points in 38 games, Larraza-5 points in 26 games. We know Loney can get H-O-T and the coaches showed a lot of confidence in Doremus. Larraza didn't make much of an impact last year. Still waiting to see something from him. Time to get serious and pump up those totals.

Incoming--Quentin Shore, Levin, Arnold, Allen??? Shore played consistently well at the U-18 tourney and we'll see him (Dakota Mermis, too) Saturday in the CCM All American Prospects game.. Arnold was the Unsung Hero for Green Bay last year .Appears to be a big, strong and steady guy. Think NAHL, scoring 90 points, 5'7", 160 lbs., no not Salazar, it's Gabe Levin. Could he be the Czar's heir apparent? Allen-could be the extra.

The other elephant in the room
Staying healthy--with 20 skaters we simply can't afford injuries. Besides, we had enough last year.

WCHA--Minnesota appears to be a solid #1 pick, but after that it gets pretty muddled. DU could finish as high as 2nd (whioux knows how many players will be on the ice for the formerly known as....), or as low as 5th or maybe 6th. Old Adage: You can't win unless you score.

My apologies to Puck Swami. His pre-season analysis was always so much more insightful.
That's what happens when you leave it to the amateurs.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

If the Pre Season polls are out then it must be time to take a Pre-Season look at the team. Although I only see the team on TV or the internet, I still form totally unbiased opinions.

General Consensus: Pio strength is in goal and on the blueline.

In net, Brittain and Olkinuora are probably the best goaltending tandem around. (Coming off surgery Sam played less than half the season, Adam missed over month with a groin injury and Jussi, who was then thrust into the starter's role, had to be the recruiting coup of the year.)

Sam Brittain--12 games-2.36 goals against average and a .932 save percentage • in four postseason games posted a 3-1-0 record, 1.80 goals against average and a .949 save percentage. Sam and the kid from the south were both listed as All WCHA

Juho (Jussi) Olkinuora--22 games-first in the WCHA in overall games with a 2.18 goals against average and second with a .924 save percentage, netted the Keith Magnuson Memorial Award as Best Defensive Player

Adam Murray--the best 3rd goalie inhe league--14 games-2.98 goals against averagand .909 save percentage

On D, Makowski back after missing all of 2012 due to injury. Rookie of the year LaLeggia, Mayfield, and Didier have a year's experience in the league. And all three had on ice presence last year.

Team Captain Paul Phillips for the grit and leadership.
Makowski, LaLeggia, and Dakota.Mermis for scoring.
Mayfield (118 hits and 76 PIMs) and Didier ( Ryder's student had 115 hits and only 18 minor penalties) for BIG hits. Mayfield has to stop the 5 minute and game misconduct penalties and still play with attitude.

Incoming--Dakota Mermis won USHL Championship with Green Bay and Nolan Zajac is solid and the bloodline cannot be questioned.

Offense-Scoring--the elephant in the room.

Upperclassmen--Nick Shore-41 pts., Ostrow-21 pts., Knowlton-19 pts. in 30 games. It seems like last year I kept hearing Nick must be "snake bit"--couldn't get a goal, but he ended up with 41 points. To be honest I was surprised at the total. He may have been undervalued by this observer. Ostrow and Knowlton both had their best year. They need to top last year's output.

Coming of age sophs--Loney-21 pts. in 36 games, Doremus-8 points in 38 games, Larraza-5 points in 26 games. We know Loney can get H-O-T and the coaches showed a lot of confidence in Doremus. Larraza didn't make much of an impact last year. Still waiting to see something from him. Time to get serious and pump up those totals.

Incoming--Quentin Shore, Levin, Arnold, Allen??? Shore played consistently well at the U-18 tourney and we'll see him (Dakota Mermis, too) Saturday in the CCM All American Prospects game.. Arnold was the Unsung Hero for Green Bay last year .Appears to be a big, strong and steady guy. Think NAHL, scoring 90 points, 5'7", 160 lbs., no not Salazar, it's Gabe Levin. Could he be the Czar's heir apparent? Allen-could be the extra.

The other elephant in the room
Staying healthy--with 20 skaters we simply can't afford injuries. Besides, we had enough last year.

WCHA--Minnesota appears to be a solid #1 pick, but after that it gets pretty muddled. DU could finish as high as 2nd (whioux knows how many players will be on the ice for the formerly known as....), or as low as 5th or maybe 6th. Old Adage: You can't win unless you score.

My apologies to Puck Swami. His pre-season analysis was always so much more insightful.
That's what happens when you leave it to the amateurs.

Nicely done. I miss Swami, too. I guess we'll have to start differentiating between Big Mermis and Little Mermis.

 

[vizoroo]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

September 27, 2012

9 days until DU's next game

#9 is Gabe Levin, Freshman Forward


10/6/2012 exhibition

 

[vizoroo]

Re: All Things Denver XXXIII

. I guess we'll have to start differentiating between Big Mermis and Little Mermis.

Ooops. Little Mermis is 3 inches taller and 30 pounds heavier than big Mermis