No. 6 Denver (22-11-5) vs. No. 9 Ohio State (20-10-5)

2 p.m., Friday

NCAA West Regional semifinal at Fargo, N.D.

TV / Radio: ESPNU / 1600 AM

Click here for a statistical comparison

Story lines to follow

Revenge factor? It makes for nice sound bites, but the reality is this is a much different Denver team than the one that lost to Ohio State, 5-1, in an NCAA regional final last March. You know who’s no longer with the program, but did you envision a team with 19 underclassmen and a first-time head coach winning 22 games and reaching the NCHC’s Frozen Faceoff? There’s more work to do, and that’s the approach I expect Coach David Carle and his team to take. Meanwhile, Ohio State, with 16 upperclassmen, likely feels as if it has some unfinished business after reaching the Frozen Four for the first time in 20 years last spring.

Who plays in goal? Ohio State could go one of two directions in net. Sophomore Tommy Napier (12-3-3, 1.90, .934) took over when senior Sean Romeo (8-7-2, 2.58, .902) was injured and was very good down the stretch. Even though Romeo doesn’t have the numbers of his understudy, he was in net in the Buckeyes’ win last season and has proven himself over the long haul. … The popular thinking has Denver going with freshman Filip Larsson (12-5-2, 2.06, .928), but sophomore Devin Cooley (11-6-2, 1.85, .934) has slightly better numbers and twice as many shutouts (4-2). Honestly, if Denver wins I wouldn’t at all be stunned to see the timeshare continue. The Pioneers say it doesn’t matter which is in net.

Hit me with your best shot! It doesn’t matter which line or player you’re talking about, the Pioneer’s top-scoring trios have said over and over they have to generate more chances inside the dots. Watch closely where the Pioneers are getting their shots from. Ohio State did an excellent job keeping DU to the outside last season. If that’s the case again, DU won’t need the late checkout time in Fargo.

This week’s stories

Speed to burn – a new line steps forward for DU

Miller time hasn’t been refreshing for DU lately

A statistical comparison between DU and OSU

Pioneers take plenty of consolation in this smackdown of CC

One third period stretch sinks DU vs. UMD

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