Steamboat Pilot & Today

Ryan Dingle, a former The Lowell Whiteman School student, was named Red Baron Western Collegiate Hockey Association Offensive Player of the Week on Monday.

Dingle scored four goals and set up another in the University of Denver's two-game sweep of conference op----ponent Michigan Tech last weekend.

Dingle, a 5-foot-10, 190-pound sophomore from Steam--boat Springs, scored two goals in each game, including both game-winners against the visiting Huskies.

A sophomore, Dingle leads the Pioneers with eight goals, four power-play goals, three game-winning goals and two short-handed goals.

"Obviously, the freshman year is a learning experience, and you try to build from it every year," Dingle said. "I started to feel more comfortable, and it led into this year."

Last year, Dingle was on the second line and scored six goals. This year, he is on the first line.

In his two years at DU, Dingle has scored six game-winning goals, including one in last year's NCAA Northeast Final against New Hampshire.

Dingle said he has modeled his late-game heroics after former Colorado Avalanche player Chris Drury.

"I like to say I can get the big goals at the big games," he said. "Chris Drury always got the big goals. He's known as Mr. Clutch. I've always looked up to him."

The No. 7 ranked Pioneers are seeking to win their third-straight NCAA championship, a feat only Michigan has accomplished.

DU returns to action this weekend at Minnesota State. The Pioneers play at 6:37 p.m. Friday and 6:07 p.m. Saturday. Both games can be heard at DenverPioneers.com.

-- To reach Melinda Mawdsley, call 871-4208

or e-mail mmawdsley@steamboatpilot.com