DU injury update.

Since the Fighting Sioux play their heated rival the DU Pioneers this weekend I have been conducting some recon missions and checking out their hockey blogs and newspapers. Denver University has had some injury issues so far this season. They have a three of their more talented players currently suffering from various injuries [Denver Post] .

At least two players on the University of Denver's injury list might return for this weekend's series against rival North Dakota at Magness Arena.

Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky doesn't like to use traditional injury-report terms, but based on the way he described things Monday, junior goalie Marc Cheverie (calf) sounds questionable, freshman defenseman Matt Donovan (finger) appears probable and sophomore blue-liner Patrick Wiercioch (knee) is doubtful.

Cheverie, who has missed the past three games after being cut by a skate blade Oct. 30 against Minnesota State, was scheduled to make "light movement prior to practice (Monday) with his gear on," Gwozdecky said.

Cheverie had 30-some stitches removed last week and began light skating without equipment Thursday.

"(Monday) is probably going to be the most that he's actually been on the ice since his injury," Gwozdecky said. "It's more or less to see where the affected area is at, and how he handles things moving around the crease with the equipment on."

Friday's game against the Fighting Sioux will mark three weeks from Cheverie's injury.

"He's made progress, and we expect he will continue to make progress, but whether that's going to allow him to play this weekend, the following weekend or in three weeks, we don't know," Gwozdecky said.

Donovan and Wiercioch are DU's top offensive defensemen. Donovan was held out of practice last week with a broken middle finger on his right hand. He suffered the injury during the Minnesota State series.