No. 3 Denver (4-2) at Miami (4-1-1)

Friday and Saturday at 5 p.m. at Oxford, Ohio

Streaming / Radio: NCHC.tv / 104.3 FM HD3

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

This NCHC-opening matchup might not be the walkover some would expect despite Denver having won six in a row and 12 of the past 13 vs. Miami. For one, the Redhawks are at home, and Steve Cady Rink can be a raucous environment. For another, the Redhawks appear to be significantly improved this season. They have won three in a row – all on the road – vs. UMass-Lowell and Canisius. Miami’s four wins already are more than half of the seven they had all last season.

Working against Denver is the fact it again will be shorthanded, and, NCAA Tournament aside, has gone a cumulative 12-14 on the road over the past two-plus seasons. However, the sweep two weeks ago at UMass doesn’t feel quite as bad now given how well the Minutemen have continued to play. Depth up front might be an issue for DU. Forwards Casey Dornbach and Carter King, who both sustained injuries on Saturday vs. Providence, practiced this week and traveled with the Pioneers, so they could be available. Centers McKade Webster and Aidan Thompson remain out for this weekend.

Statistically, the teams are virtual mirror images. The RedHawks have one more goal and have allowed two fewer against an easier schedule. Both teams have scored on the power play more than 26 percent of the time. Miami’s penalty kill has been slightly stronger, but it also hasn’t faced two top 10 teams already.

Both teams are getting excellent goaltending, as you might expect from the only two NCHC teams who returned their starting net minders. DU senior Magnus Chrona has gone 3-2 with a .904 save percentage and a 2.27 goals-against average, while junior Ludvig Person is 4-1-1 with a .938 save percentage and a 1.83 goals-against average. … Forwards Joe Cassetti (7 points, 4 goals) and Matthew Barbolini (7, 3) are the top scorers for the RedHawks. Dornbach (8, 3) and sophomore linemates Carter Mazur (7, 5) and Massimo Rizzo (7, 2) are DU’s top scorers.

©First Line Editorial 2022