From time to time we talk DU coach Jim Montgomery for 2 minutes about the Pioneers, upcoming opponents and anything else that tickles either of our fancies.

Today’s topics: What do Pioneers do on a week off? Is admiration of Slap Shot becoming a lost art in college hockey today?

Mayhem: You mentioned after Saturday night’s victory over Michigan State that you and your staff were going to use this week to work on various skills this week and refine some systems. Are there any challenges to having a bye week when the team has old Mo on its side? (three victories in a row)

Monty: “I think the biggest challenge is keeping the intensity in practice up so you continue to get better, so that you’re working at a game-level pace so that mistakes that happen or turnovers that happen are at a game-level speed. If you’re not practicing at a game speed then players, when they come to a game, don’t have as much time and now they start to panic. So offensively and defensively the pace and intensity of practice is really important. And usually it tends to wane when there isn’t an end-goal in sight like a game on Friday or Saturday night. We’ve been fantastic so far. I’ve been so impressed with our work ethic (this week).

Mayhem: Are today’s young players fans of Slap Shot?

Monty: I don’t think they follow the lines verbatim like we do, but I think everyone’s seen it at least once. Whereas our generation saw it 20 times.

Mayhem: Then you must have a favorite scene …

Monty: Yeah, the one where Paul Newman’s in the bar and some fan comes up and tells him, “You guys gotta work on the power play.” And he says, “Yeah, we’re going to work on the power play!” I relate to that a lot because as a player and a fan you always wonder, “Why aren’t they doing this on the power play?” Now as a coach everybody loves to talk about the power play.

@MagnessMayhem