OFB Goes to College
By pucksandbooks
2 December, 2006
I am in Colorado Springs for business and last night was able to attend the first game of a home and home series between #8 University of Denver and #15 Colorado College. 
I will borrow from Empty Maybe and present my game thoughts in knee-jerk fashion.
- DU has two Capitals’ draft picks on its roster:
They will never wear their college number with the Caps . . . Thomas has #5, Seabrook #8.
My college did not have a hockey team and previously I had only seen college hockey on television — it is a fantastic environment for hockey.
The way they announce the starting lineups are different. Both teams line up on their respective goal lines. Each starter is announced and he skates to the blue line. Then the rest of the team skates to the blue line for the National Anthem.
Colorado College plays in the World Arena, which is not on campus . . . which means they sell beer. Selections include the normal crap (Bud/Miller Trash) and more to OFB’s liking… microbrews… from Bristol Brewing offering Laughing Lab Scottish Ale and Red Rocket Pale Ale.
The student section was filled 40 mintues before faceoff. They were loud. They were fun. They sit behind the opposing netminder for 2 periods. The enthusiasm may have been helped by the beer, too.
CC fans were encouraged to wear black for the game. Three gentlemen (alums?) in their 50s or 60s DID wear black. They wore tuxedos… and brought it with old school cheers including the classic phrase “three point one four one five nine!”
The names and numbers on the DU sweaters are gold and very glittery. Bettman would probably change that, too.
The boys on both teams love to hit.
Most interesting names on the rosters:
- DU – #20 Fast
- CC – #3 L. Sweatt & #20 B. Sweatt
The game had the feel of a big rivalry game; then I find out this was the 260th meeting dating back to the 1949-50 season. Wow.
The two teams compete for the Gold Pan trophy, an authentic mining utensil awarded to the regular season series winner.
The game is a sell out with an announced attendance of 7,772.
Our draft picks often play the point together on the power play.
I was disappointed that there was no pep band.
Thomas (who is an assistant captain) is on the ice often, loves to play the body, and is clearly a leader.
I noticed Thomas and Seabrook playing several shifts on the powerplay together, both on the point.
On the power play, DU seemed to pass the puck too much and not shoot enough.
Thomas is a staple of the penalty killing unit.
It seemed to be a fairly evenly played game with the shots ending with 30 for CC and 28 for DU.
However, the CC transition game was fast and one from which they scored the majority of their goals.
Final Score:
- Colorado College 5
- University of Denver 1
This was Colorado College’s 100th win over DU.
Today’s game at Denver should be a good one. I’ll miss it as that pesky business trip is getting in the way.
Note: We were hoping for an interview with both Seabrook and Thomas, but our request was denied by the DU Athletic Department.
3 Comments
That sucks that you were denied the interview!
I love the old guys in tuxedos…and the chant. LMAO!
Having attended several WCHA games during my college years at Minnesota, and during my pre-Gopher days when my brother attended St. Cloud State, I will simply say that, in my opinion, there is nothing better.
When I was an undergrad, I did a week’s tour of college hockey games in the mid-west (ND, G, LSSU, FSU) and had a great time.
I went to grad school in the CCHA and loved going to games.
I miss college hockey.
Post a Comment