No. 6 Denver (13-5-4) travels to Mankato this weekend for a two-game series with Minnesota State (10-8-4). The Pios look to keep up their winning ways as they are 7-0-1 in their last eight meetings with the Mavericks, including a sweep earlier this season at Magness arena. The Mankato Free Press has a write-up on the series. You can get the Denver perspective from the DU Clarion.
Minnesota State is playing well and has won eight of their last ten games since being swept by Denver. The Mavs are lead by K. Davis who has 17 points (7g, 10a), M. Dorr (8g, 8a) and B. Youds who has added 15 points (4g, 11a). Phil Cook has been getting most of the goaltending time and leads the Mavs with an 8-7-2 record while posting a 2.91 GAA and .913 Sv%.
The Pioneers are scoring 3.2 goals per game, while allowing 2.5 goals per game. Here is a mid-season update on Denver scoring; Kyle Ostrow (Sr) has 14 points (5g, 9a), Anthony Maiani (5g, 16a), Chris Nutini (0g, 3a), Matt Donovan (6g, 10a) Drew Shore (14g, 11a), Jason Zucker (14g, 7a), Luke Salazar (11g, 8a) and David Makowski (4g, 12a) are some of DU's scoring leaders after 22 games this season. On the defensive side of the ice it has been the in-net performaces of Sam Brittain (10-4-4, 2.06 GAA, .926 Sv%) and Adam Murray (3-1, 4.23 GAA, .849 Sv%) leading the way for Denver. Donovan leads the team in blocked shots (59), penalties (20) and PIMs (40). Drew Shore leads the team with +14 plus/minus rating, while Donovan is second at +13. You can find all this and much more at the DU website
In Denver news it appears the Sam Brittain will be starting in goal on Friday night while Adam Murray will get his chance on Saturday. On the injury front Beau Bennett (knee) and Chris Knowlton (ankle) are doubtful this weekend.
William Wrenn left the team to play for the major-junior's Portland Winterhawks of the WHL.
Mike Chambers has a good article on the Drew Shore and Jason Zucker show at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championships. The two Pios helped the USA squad take home the bronze.
It's time for DU to make a push towards the playoff season, GO PIOS!!