No. 1 Denver vs. No. 9 Notre Dame

Friday, 7 p.m., Magness Arena

Streaming / Radio: NCHC.tv / KKFN 104.3-FM

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Who controls the neutral zone should have a big say in who wins this game. “We

have to do a good job taking care of the puck, controlling it through the neutral zone and offensive zone,” Irish coach Jeff Jackson said this week, adding that how his team defends in its own zone obviously is important as well. After Notre Dame’s exhibition against the U.S. National Team Development Program, Jackson noted “these things need work. We have to really focus on managing the puck better. … Some times you don’t have to make a good play, just make a smart play.” … How the Pioneers are able to maneuver through the neutral zone will provide a clue about how well their transition game, which again has the potential to be lethal, is working.

The teams provide a contrast in styles as Notre Dame is older (10 seniors and grad students) and quite a bit bigger on average (192 pounds to 182). Stylistically this game should be an excellent introduction for Denver’s newer players as to what they can expect vs. the North Dakotas and Minnesota Duluths of the world once the NCHC season begins. “Notre Dame is a very detailed, very structured team, a bigger team down low,” DU coach David Carle noted this week. For its part, DU will try to use its speed to its advantage in all three zones. … Given that sophomore forward Tristan Broz is close to returning to action and freshman center Aidan Thompson could be back in a month or so, expect DU to experiment with its lines over the next few weeks.

The Ice Breaker Tournament is being co-hosted, by DU and Air Force, a first in the event’s history. The Pioneers’ neighbors to the south will play host to Maine on

Friday, then the Eastern teams will switch locations for Saturday night’s games. Denver is 3-3 all-time in the Ice Breaker, but went 0-2 when it hosted in 2016, falling to Ohio State and Boston College. The Pioneers most recently played Notre Dame in October 2017 at South Bend, Ind., going 1-0-1 during a two-game series. Prior to that, DU defeated the Irish in a Frozen Four semifinal at Chicago in April 2017. Two nights later, the Pioneers edged Minnesota Duluth to claim their eighth NCAA title.

DENVER SEASON PREVIEWS

Three keys to the season

Impact players

Emerging players

Roster by the numbers

Exhibition recap

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