From time to time, University of Denver coach Jim Montgomery participates in the Mayhem. With the Pioneers facing a tall task with this weekend’s trip to Duluth for an NCHC series against UMD, we started off talking about the Bulldogs, whose talent belies their 3-4-2 start.

Mayhem: UMD hasn’t has the start that was expected, but it’s an NCHC road series – never an easy task – so how do you approach this weekend?

Monty: It’s not an easy place to play, and you compound it with it’s one of the most talented, hard-working teams in the country. So we got our work cut out for ourselves. We’re going to have to be smart, we’re going to have to manage the puck really well so we don’t face a lot of odd-man rushes. And we’re going to have to protect pucks well in the offensive zone so it’s more of a half-ice game than an up-and-down game.

Mayhem: It seems as though  most of their scoring comes from their forwards. Are there specific challenges they present?

Monty: Their speed of their forwards and how they attack the net creates a lot of problems. Our defensemen are going to have to be really good at handling the rush, and our forwards are going to have to be really responsible on who they have on the defensive rush back.

Mayhem: After showing some signs of life, DU’s power play went dormant again last weekend. What are the keys to getting the man-advantage rolling because it doesn’t seem to be a talent issue?

Monty: There definitely is plenty of talent in the dressing room to have a good power play. We’re pretty methodical right now, there’s no urgency and there’s no one that’s really taking the bull by the horns. Last year our power play was ultra aggressive and really fast, and that was the personality of Joey LaLeggia. We need someone to take over the power play, that they want the power play to go through them. Everyone seems to be deferring.

Mayhem: Let’s lighten things up a bit. What is Monty’s Breakfast of Champions?

Monty: That’s easy. Two eggs over easy, bacon, hash browns and wheat toast.

@MagnessMayhem