Rampart grad Ryder in homestretch of career with Denver

John Ryder would have considered Colorado College. If the Tigers had considered him.

“I was not recruited by CC at all,” Ryder said. “They didn’t give me any looks.”

The 2007 Rampart High School graduate, a defenseman, carries no regrets about a five-year career with Denver in which he has appeared in 128 games and been around for 116 wins, four NCAA Tournament berths, a Western Collegiate Hockey Association regular-season title and a WCHA Final Five title. He has played just 15 games in a redshirt senior year, recently returning from a fractured left kneecap that he suffered in November.

“When you play for Denver, you don’t like CC,” said Ryder, who will graduate with two degrees in the spring. He added, “Everybody knows those games are at a different level. No matter how each team is doing, they’re big games. And I try to play at my best.”

Winkler back, Young replaces Harstad

Scott Winkler came back Saturday from an undisclosed injury that sidelined the CC right wing for Friday’s game, skating on the fourth line, with Tim Hall at center and Scott Wamsganz at left wing. Right wing William Rapuzzi maintained Winkler’s previous spot on the second line, joined by Nick Dineen at center and Alexander Krushelnyski at left wing.

On defense, Ian Young dressed in place of Aaron Harstad, who was suspended one game for fighting Friday, along with Denver right wing Dustin Jackson. Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky didn’t question the suspensions, as both players threw multiple punches in an NHL-style melee. But he disputed an instigating penalty on Jackson, considering Harstad ripped off Jackson’s helmet. “Obviously, they saw it differently,” Gwozdecky said.

Left wing Ty Loney reclaimed his position on Denver’s top line, featuring Drew Shore at center and Luke Salazar at right wing, after an “indefinite” suspension for a violation of team rules that lasted a mere one game. In goal, Juho Olkinuora started for Sam Brittain since Brittain is still recovering from an injured knee that kept him out until last weekend. “I don’t think he’s ready physically to play two games” in a row, Gwozdecky said.

Contact Brian Gomez: 719-636-0256 or brian.gomez@gazette.com. Facebook: Brian Gomez. Twitter: @gazettehockey. Google+: Brian Gomez. YouTube: Colorado College Hockey, Covered by The Gazette. For the CC homepage, visit www.gazette.com/sections/sports/cchockey. For the CC blog, visit http://cchockey.freedomblogging.com.