2008 Woodie Awards
Pioneers claim three points from Minnesota
Despite Trotter leaving and Ruegsegger injured, DU wins and ties
Arianna Ranahosseini
Issue date: 2/12/08 Section: Sports
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The Pioneers recorded five goals despite the loss of leading scorer Brock Trotter who signed a three-year free agent entry level NHL contract with the Montreal Canadiens, which was announced on Thursday. Also missing from the lineup this weekend was the third-leading scorer, assistant captain, sophomore forward Tyler Ruegsegger, due to an abdominal injury last Saturday at Minnesota State.
"I think everybody understood how important this game was and how we had to give ourselves a chance to win it," said Head Coach George Gwozdecky. "I don't want to call it desperate, but considering what we've gone through the last few games, this was as important a game as there has been in a long time."
DU sought to re-establish its motivation with the help of Lieutenant Colonel Austin Renforth of the Marines and family friend of sophomore Rhett Rakhshani, who spoke with the team on Thursday.
"One of the statements that he made that really hit home with our guys was, 'Triumph without adversity,' as he said, 'ain't worth shit,'" Gwozdecky said.
After a scoreless first period on Friday, freshman forward Tyler Bozak put up an unassisted short-handed goal. Minnesota evened the game midway through the third period scoring just past screened goaltender Peter Mannino.
The goal was reviewed by officials due to a possible interference, but was then allowed, pushing the game into overtime.
"There was a little interference in front," Mannino said. "I felt a stick hit me in the face, then lost my stick. I think it went up high, they took a shot and it got through. They did what they needed there."
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