No. 3 Denver (14-4-2, 6-4 NCHC) vs. Colorado College (8-12-2, 2-7-1 NCHC)

Saturday, 7:07 p.m. at Magness Arena; Friday’s game at World Arena was postponed due to weather

Radio / TV: 104.3 FM / NCHC.tv and Altitude2

Series: Denver leads, 178-118-19

Last meeting: Denver won, 6-1, on March 11, 2018 in Game 3 of an NCHC quarterfinal series

Overview

With two wins this weekend or two combined during this home-and-home series and the next in early March, the Pioneers would win their fifth consecutive Gold Pan. That would mark a record in the 26-year history of the trophy. … This is one of college hockey’s oldest (69 years, 315 games) and best rivalries despite what anyone would tell you. That Colorado College went 1-1-2 vs. DU last season and then took the Pioneers to three games in the NCHC playoffs confirms that. … DU comes in on a roll, having won seven in a row, including two close calls against Omaha at home last weekend. Freshman Filip Larsson started both games in goal, just as he will this weekend as sophomore goalie Devin Cooley remains out with an injury. Larsson gave up just two goals all weekend, stopping 50 of 52 shots, and was selected the NCHC’s Goaltender of the Week. … Fellow newcomers continue to surge for DU. Center Cole Guttman had the game-winning goal in overtime on Saturday and has a three-game point streak, while defenseman Slava Demin has five points in the past four games. Another freshman, Emilio Pettersen, has 20 points – one behind junior Liam Finlay (10 goals) for the team lead and one ahead of senior Jarid Lukosevicius (12 goals, including five game-winners). Guttman also has 10 goals, tops among NCAA freshmen. … The Tigers’ strong start has faded a bit in the midst of losing six of their past seven games, including two in overtime at North Dakota last weekend. … Junior Westin Michaud leads CC with 16 points (8 goals). Last season’s top scorer, junior Nick Halloran, has been shut down for the season because of a lower-body injury. … Alex Leclerc carries the mail in net. The junior has 8-11-2, .912 and 2.68 GAA. His primary backup, sophomore Alec Calvaruso, left the team.

Three keys for Denver

Adjust quickly – The Pioneers have not played on an Olympic sheet since losing consecutive games at St. Cloud State in early November. How well they adapt to World Arena’s rectangular sheet could go a long way in determining the outcome.

Score first – Pay little mind to records. This CC group proved last season it could not only hand with DU but beat it. The last thing the Pioneers want to do is give the partisan crowd reason to get rowdy.

Attack the D – While both teams play fast, Denver’s speed should cause more problems for the Tigers’ defense than vice versa. Getting pucks in deep and then possessing them will be key for DU’s offense.

©First Line Editorial 2017-19