WCHA: Around the league
Posted on October 7th, 2008 – 3:59 PMBy Roman Augustoviz
Denver coach George Gwozdecky recently suspended four of his players for violating team rules. He did not provide specifics.
Three received one-game suspensions which they served Saturday when the Pioneers beat the University of Alberta 5-4 at Magness Arena in an exhibition game.
Out that game were senior defenseman J.P. Testwuide, the team captain; sophomore defenseman Jon Cook and sophomore forward Dustin Jackson. They will play when DU opens its season against Notre Dame, the NCAA runner-up, on Saturday in the U.S. College Hall of Fame game.
Junior defenseman Cody Brookwell was suspended for four games.
Tyler Ruegsegger, a junior center, scored two goals against Alberta while senior defenseman Patrick Mullen and freshman defenseman Patrick Wiercioch had one apiece.
SHOWDOWN ON TV
Colorado College and Denver, two of the preseason favorites in the WCHA, meet at 4 p.m. at Magness Arena on Nov. 2 in a ame which will be nationally televised by ESPNU. The game was moved from the day before to accomodate TV.
STREAKING SIOUX
In coach Dave Hakstol’s first four seasons as North Dakota coach, the Fighting Sioux have reached the Final Four each year.
He obviously hopes to continue that streak. This is the first time in four years our experience is in the junior and senior class, Hakstol said, we’re a balanced team.
He said the Sioux have a lot of talented individual players such as forwards Chris VandeVelde, a junior from Moorhead, and Ryan Duncan, a senior who was named the Hobey Baker award winner two seasons ago.
“Duncan is a good player and a great leader and a great person,” Hakstol said in Tuesday’s WCHA teleconference involving all 10 coaches.
On the blue-line, NoDak has skilled players like senior Zach Jones, 6-7, 245 senior Joe Finley, and junior Chay Genoway. “[Genoway] had a breakout sophomore year,” Hakstol said.
He expects the eight freshmen to have an impact, but the real key to team success will be how the six sophomores play. Hakstol said they have to step into regular roles.
Freshman forward Jason Gregoire was named the preseason Co-Rookie of the Year by conference coaches. Three voted for him; freshman forward Jack Connolly also got the same number of votes.
In goal, North Dakota workhorse J.P. Lamoureux is gone. He was a senior last season, so senior Aaron Walski and freshman Brad Eidsness will battle for the spot.
Hakstol said those two are at different stages of their career but both have been solid so far in practices.
