DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

[du78]

DU hosts UVM on Friday and Saturday October 9th and 10th. Game times are 7:30 PM MT Friday and 7:00 PM MT Saturday. Friday's game is being televised on FSN RM and FCS Central. Saturday's game is being broadcast on Pioneer Vision for a fee at www.denverpioneers.com. DU is coming off of a 3-2 exhibition win over the University of Calgary and Vermont is coming off of a 3-2 OT exhibition loss to New Brunswick. Both teams were in the national tourney last spring. UVM lost to BU in the national semi-final and DU lost to Miami in the regionals.

This weekend is also the celebration of 60 years of DU hockey with numerous events planned for several hundred returning hockey alumni and staff.

 

[du78]

Re: DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

Any UVM fans want to give us a preview of your team. We all know that Stalberg is on the Leafs now but don't know much else about the team.

DU will be without returning leading scorer forward Anthony Maiani as he finishes a 3-game supension for breaking team rules. Forward Dustin Jackson is out for the season with a broken leg. Defenseman Patrick Wiercioch did not play in yesterday's exhibition game against Calgary due to the flu but hopefully should be back for this wekend's series. I would look for junior goalie Marc Cheverie to start in the nets on Friday and maybe frosh goalie Adam Murray to get the start on Saturday. If Gwoz doesn't go with Murray on Saturday then Chevy will play both games. I would expect Gwoz to go with 12 forwards and 6 d-men both nights probably cycling in a different 12th man on the 4th line and 6th d-man on Saturday night.

 

[RogerWF]

Re: DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

...DU is coming off of a 4-2 exhibition win over the University of Calgary...

DU exaggeration so soon???

 

[Puck Swami]

Re: DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

I would look for junior goalie Marc Cheverie to start in the nets on Friday and maybe frosh goalie Adam Murray to get the start on Saturday.

That's a mighty big maybe. I doubt think we'll see Murray this early unless Chevy has problems, and especially if Wiercioch isn't ready. This is an important, tone-setting non-league series, and DU is going to want to put the best foot forward with all the alums in the house. Better to play Murray at OSU or vs Mercyhurst, and and some games vs Tech, UAA, MSUM, UMD, etc to get his WCHA feet wet slowly. I think DU will be going with experience in the lineup, unless a rookie has outplayed the vet. Right now, based on what I saw last night, the only rookie that looks like he has a sure job is Donovan. Wrenn, Shore, Philips and Shawn Ostrow looked decent, but perhaps a notch below Donovan right now in terms of being ready to step in right away, and it should be interesting to see if they displace anyone. Lots of healthy competition out there for PT. As for other guys like Knowlton, Cook, Dewhurst, and Paulgaard, I don't think any of them looked so good that they need to be in the lineup.

 

[Pablo]

Re: DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

That's a mighty big maybe. I doubt think we'll see Murray this early unless Chevy has problems, and especially if Wiercioch isn't ready. This is an important, tone-setting non-league series, and DU is going to want to put the best foot forward with all the alums in the house. Better to play Murray at OSU or vs Mercyhurst, and and some games vs Tech, UAA, MSUM, UMD, etc to get his WCHA feet wet slowly. I think DU will be going with experience in the lineup, unless a rookie has outplayed the vet. Right now, based on what I saw last night, the only rookie that looks like he has a sure job is Donovan. Wrenn, Shore, Philips and Shawn Ostrow looked decent, but perhaps a notch below Donovan right now in terms of being ready to step in right away, and it should be interesting to see if they displace anyone. Lots of healthy competition out there for PT. As for other guys like Knowlton, Cook, Dewhurst, and Paulgaard, I don't think any of them looked so good that they need to be in the lineup.

Yeah, I'd seriously question Gwoz if he gave Murray a start before January. The team needs to establish an identity, and the worst thing to do in that respect is to rotate in an untested goalie. Chevy needs to be our rock in goal, and the defense will be built on the "Chevy foundation." I assume Murray's time over the next couple of months will be limited to situations where we've got a 3+ goal lead in the third period, or situations where Chevy is having a really bad night.

 

[dggoddard]

Re: DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

Murray was very highly recruited and if DU wins on Friday, no one should be surprised if he got the nod on Saturday. The only reason not to start Murray would be if he had some glaring weaknesses that they've noticed.

DU has become Goaltender U. for a reason and that's why Murray is here.

I don't have any idea if Murray will see any time this weekend or next for that matter, but its hardly unusual for Freshmen goaltenders to come in and do very well in the WCHA.

From what I heard, Murray has the best hair since Sinuhe Wallinheimo or perhaps Chris Olsen.

 

[PuckVoice]

Re: DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

Vermont will be without one of their leading returning scorers, Justin Milo who is expected to be out at least a month with a foot injury.
With Stalberg, Peter Lenes and Dean Strong all gone, UVM is missing their top three forwards from a year ago ... goaltender Rob Madore and the entire defense is back from last year ... the big question with them is where the goal scoring will come from.
Vermont dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to the defending Canadian national champions, New Brunswick on Sunday afternoon. Jack Downing and Josh Burrows scored the goals and Madore made 19 saves on 22 NB shots.

 

[du78]

Re: DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

I doubt you guys watched or heard the videocast of last night's game with Mitch Hydar doing the play-by-play. The 2nd period sounded like an infomercial for Adam Murray. He touted all his accomplishments and said that he has been impressive in all the pre-season practices. I know Murray only saw 2 shots but Mitch made it sound like Murray was ready to be a 1B type goalie. I am sure he didn't just come to this conclusion himself. That is what I based my guesstimate that Adam might get the 2nd game. I could be totally wrong but competition between Chevy and Murray wouldn't be a bad thing. Now if I thought Lars would get a start on Saturday, you could have me committed. That first goal last night was horrendous.

 

[du78]

Re: DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

DU exaggeration so soon???

I was hoping for that insurance goal.

 

[du78]

Re: DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

Vermont will be without one of their leading returning scorers, Justin Milo who is expected to be out at least a month with a foot injury.
With Stalberg, Peter Lenes and Dean Strong all gone, UVM is missing their top three forwards from a year ago ... goaltender Rob Madore and the entire defense is back from last year ... the big question with them is where the goal scoring will come from.
Vermont dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to the defending Canadian national champions, New Brunswick on Sunday afternoon. Jack Downing and Josh Burrows scored the goals and Madore made 19 saves on 22 NB shots.

Thanks for the insight. Looking forward to a good series that should set the tone for the first half of the season. Should be some new nets in the rink so DU doesn't suffer the same fate as AFA last March

I must say Stalberg has impressed me on the Leafs as I watched as many pre-season games with him and Bozak as possible.

 

[dggoddard]

Re: DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

DU has the flu bug going around which could mean that there may be some players MIA this weekend.

Wiercioch is expected back from the flu on Wednesday, if everything progresses on schedule.

Good to see DU's PP running smoothly this weekend. Refs usually call the games tighter earlier in the season, so DU may have a big special teams advantage.

Vermont has seven seniors which in this day and age of college hockey is a huge advantage. I expect the Catamounts to be psyched up for this huge series and expect two low scoring competitive games.

Make sure Vermont brings oxygen tanks because the air is very thin and dry in Denver.

 

[du78]

Re: DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

Today's USCHO poll has DU ranked #1 and Vermont #14

 

[Pablo]

Re: DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

The only reason not to start Murray would be if he had some glaring weaknesses that they've noticed.

Glaring weakness: untested freshman on opening weekend in a very important series.

No way in Hades that Murray starts, but I'll buy your beers next time you're in town if you're right!

 

[snwbrdr]

Re: DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

Vermont has 7 seniors but Milo had to sit a year after transfer from Cornell. He is also out indefinitely with an injury.

Anctil will not play, nor it is likely that Atkinson will play if some of the others are healthy.

The key seniors for UVM are Roloff, Vock, and Irwin.

Another of Vermonts top forwards, Jr. Wahs Stacey is also day to day with an injury as is one of their top freshmen recruits, Chris McCarthy. Neither of them dressed for the exhibition game.

All in all, UVM will possibly be missing two of their top five forwards, which is not a good thing while trying to grab a point or two on the road against maybe the best team in the country on homecoming weekend.

The strength of the Vermont team will be the confidence of the D but as a team they will struggle to score early in the season.

Hopefully the Pats do not have the same problem on Sunday as I'm looking for at least one W out of my favorite two teams in Denver this weekend.

 

[dggoddard]

Re: DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

Glaring weakness: untested freshman on opening weekend in a very important series.

No way in Hades that Murray starts, but I'll buy your beers next time you're in town if you're right!

I'll be standing right next to you on Saturday night to collect 'em or buy them in person.

 

[Pablo]

Re: DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

I'll be standing right next to you on Saturday night to collect 'em or buy them in person.

I'll buy Boone some whiskey, too. I can't wait to see him in action this weekend! It will be a culmination of your great efforts to actually see him at a hockey game.

Thanks for the preview, Snwbrdr. Sounds like Vermont will have some early season challenges with the missing players. BTW, it's not homecoming weekend, but it should be festive because of the 60-year hockey celebration.

 

[DUPioneerHockey]

Re: DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

Let me tell you, Murray is a huge kid. It's like he could almost just stand there and block the whole net. Unless Marc's game really falls off (and I certainly don't see that happening anytime soon), I would think that Chevy gets most if not all the games. Adam is our future though. Combines, those 2 boys could quite possibly own the next 4 NCAA Championships. Once the defense has time to gel & catch each other's vibe after a few more practices and games, with Patty back..... they will be completley out of control (and I mean that in a good way).

 

[du78]

Re: DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

From the DU Media Guide. I wouldn't be surprised to see Chevy and Murray split the games this weekend.

Cheverie will begin the season as DU’s No. 1 goaltender, but
Gwozdecky plans to platoon the junior with rookie Adam Murray
(Anchorage, Alaska) early in the season in hopes of developing a
two-man goaltender rotation that proved to be successful during the
national championship seasons of 2004 and 2005. Murray posted
a 22-10-1 mark with a 2.94 goals against average and .902 saves
percentage with two shutouts for the Under-18 Team in 2008-09.
Lars Paulgaard (Vettre, Norway) will be the No. 3 goaltender after
serving as Cheverie’s backup last season.

“We are improved at the goaltending position, which became one
of our strengths last season,” Gwozdecky said. “Marc will start the
season as our No. 1 goaltender, but he will be pushed by Adam daily in
practice. We will evaluate Marc and Adam in game situations early in
the season.”

 

[vizoroo]

Re: DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

From the DU Media Guide. I wouldn't be surprised to see Chevy and Murray split the games this weekend.

That was a big suprise, but DU DID platoon goalies in the last 2 Championship years. And if Murray falters, which we hope he doesn't, Chevy is not a bad backup

 

[dggoddard]

Re: DU Hosts UVM - Oct. 9 & 10 - The 60th Anniversary Edition

Its official. Murray to start on Saturday night.

http://blogs.denverpost.com/sports/2009/10/06/du-to-platoon-goalies/

I'll buy Boone some whiskey, too. I can't wait to see him in action this weekend! It will be a culmination of your great efforts to actually see him at a hockey game.

Been on the phone with Boone today and we have some big surprises in store for the fans, students and even the little future Pioneers.