A week ago, University of Denver hockey coach George Gwozdecky claimed that most games at this point of the season are decided by the team that boasts the more efficient special-teams units.

If that is the case, the Pioneers have picked the worst time to stagger through power-play chances that are decidedly un-special.

Colorado College claimed the Gold Pan traveling trophy for the first time since 2003 by posting a 3-0 victory against the reeling Pioneers on Friday at Magness Arena.

CC will have an opportunity to sweep the season series against its Front Range rival for the first time in four years in the regular-season finale tonight in Colorado Springs.

It was a historic loss for the DU program, which has suffered consecutive shutouts at home for the first time in its rich history.

The Pioneers, who also lost an opportunity to lock up the third seed in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, have recorded only one win in their past six games.

DU previously suffered consecutive shutout losses at St. Cloud State on Dec. 17 and 18, 1993, but never before at home.

"The fact that we haven't scored a goal in the last six periods definitely is frustrating," DU captain Adrian Veideman said. "We've just got to get back to the simple things that have made us successful in the past. We need to come out strong (tonight)."

Friday's loss followed a similar blueprint to the 3-0 defeat DU shouldered in its previous game against North Dakota a week ago.

The Pioneers (21-13-3, 13-11-3 WCHA) outshot the Tigers 29-17 but still couldn't solve CC goaltender Matt Zaba despite seven power-play chances. DU has gone 3-for-38 in power-play chances during its six-game tailspin.

CC entered the contest with a four-game losing streak, a six-game winless streak and a tenuous position in the PairWise rankings. Now it is the Pioneers who are desperate for a victory that will help solidify their national stature heading into the WCHA playoffs.

CC (17-15-3, 13-12-2 WCHA) clinched home ice for the first round of the league playoffs next week.

"We're struggling a little bit right now squeezing the stick offensively," Gwozdecky said. "We've got four or five guys we count on to create offense for us, and they perhaps are over-trying. Maybe we're not as patient as we should be.

"The power play was a point of major work this week at practice, and I thought we were able to generate a few more chances and maintain the puck in the offensive zone. We had some pretty darn good chances."

Freshman Bill Sweatt gave CC a 1-0 lead with a breakaway goal early in the first period. Chad Rau powered home a rebound midway through the second period and junior defenseman Jack Hillen capped the scoring and iced CC's win with his sixth goal of the season in the third.

"It's a heck of a way to end a six-game (winless) streak," CC coach Scott Owens said. "We're at home, and if we win (tonight) we'll pass Denver. The guys are relieved, but more than anything they are elated beating Denver in a meaningful game. The Gold Pan, home ice, and (tonight) we go to an absolute wild setting back in our own building."

Colorado College 3, Denver 0

Colorado College......1	1	1	-	3
Denver......0	0	0	-	0

First period - 1, CC, B. Sweatt 9 (Kilpatrick 21, L. Sweatt 15), 5:33. Penalties - Butler, DU (holding), 1:41; L. Sweatt, CC (goaltender interference), 2:53; B. Sweatt, CC (slashing), 7:27; Helgason, DU (kneeing), 13:03.

Second period - 2, CC, Rau 12 (Kilpatrick 22, Connelly 15), pp, 11:33. Penalties - Brannigan, CC (boarding), 2:29; Prosser, CC (hooking), 4:41; Veideman, DU (cross checking), 10:32; Gannon, CC (tripping), 19:00.

Third period - 3, CC, Hillen 6 (Cox 8), 10:48. Penalties - Testwuide, DU (slashing), 5:23; Vlassopoulos, CC (cross checking), 6:33; Butler, DU (roughing), 6:33; DeBoer, CC (roughing), 6:33; Fisher, DU (roughing), 6:33; DeBoer, CC (gripping the facemask),6:33; McCulloch, CC (cross checking), 15:17; Rakhshani, DU (slashing after the whistle), 19:19.

Shots - CC, 9-5-3-17; DU, 8-13-8-29. Saves - CC (Zaba 29); DU (Fisher 14). Power plays - CC, 1-for-5; DU, 0-for-7. A - 6,195.

Back to Top