The Quest for the Gold Pan

At first the excitement came from the stands, but when Denver and Colorado College took the ice, that energy shifted brilliantly. On All Hallows Eve the crowd may have been dressed to spook, but both programs were dressed to show who the top college hockey team in the state was. 

If you went by the outcome of that game and the rematch that followed two days after, Colorado College got the nod. But many are still undecided. The Pioneers outshot the Tigers 88-49 in the series but it was goaltending that decided both contests. That’s not to say that Denver goaltender Marc Chevrie didn’t play exceptional (with 44 saves) but CC’s Richard Bachman was on a different planet totaling 84 saves. The All-American netminder made saves of every kind and kept the Tigers ranked No. 1 (at the time).

After the first meeting, which ended in an overtime 2-2 stalemate, DU junior forward Rhett Rakhshani said, “It was a good game but you know what, they’re all good games.”

He’s right, however we’re concerned with this year. Both teams have the ability to go very deep into the postseason tournament, something they were unable to do last year.    

A writer from D1hockey.com attended the Oct. 31 game and commented that DU and CC could possibly be the best two teams in the country. You won’t get much argument from CHI or many others in the state (sorry Air Force).

“For me it’s a great hockey game for the state of Colorado in general. Being from Colorado (Highlands Ranch) this is why you play college hockey,” said Bachman. “It’s a fun atmosphere… it’s just such a big rivalry you put a little extra effort into it I think. Getting three points in the WCHA that is huge any weekend if you want to do stuff at the end of the year, but getting them against Denver there is no better feeling.”

That’s how much this game means to both teams. The players usually won’t come out and say this game matters more than the others, but it does. It’s an intra-state rivalry, a conference rivalry and let’s face it, gold is on the line. The coveted Gold Pan has gone to the series’ winner every year (since 1993-94) but the rivalry has been worth as much since 1950.
Each year you hear a bit about this rivalry; it’s nothing new but the storylines change. And that’s what keeps it going. We’re lucky to be apart of the rivalry when both teams are playing so well and as a state we can be proud of college hockey. 13,518 have witnessed the two games in 2008.

This may be the last year to see the Testwuide brothers battle it out. J.P., the Pioneer captain, has two more shots at his younger brother, Mike, a junior assistant captain for the Tigers. Both players are a must-see. 

Colorado College holds the edge this year thanks to a 3-2 victory in the second game. But there’s still time for Denver.
“One of our goals is to get the Gold Pan back here,” Denver head coach George Gwozdecky said simply.

The games will resume in February and March and both will be looking for the Pan, a conference title and the bragging rights to go along with them.

“Every game no matter what month it’s in or what time of year is a ferocious game, said CC head coach Scott Owens. “And you want to beat your rivals not only because they are your rivals but also because that’s a team that is going to be towards the top of the standings.”

You can guarantee these two will be.

Fun Fact: Denver and Colorado College have a combined 14 NHL draft picks on their respective rosters.