Bozak might not make Final Five

DU blogger and UND antagonist Mike Chambers is reporting that DU super sophomore Tyler Bozak might not be back until the NCAA playoffs. That is a big blow to the Denver Pioneers.

DU center Tyler Bozak, who has missed the past 17 games with a knee injury, might not return to the lineup until the opening game of the NCAA Tournament on March 27 or March 28, Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky told me Thursday.

Bozak, who has 55 points in 59 career games at DU, said last week he was on track o return at next week’s WCHA Final Five in St. Paul, Minn., assuming DU advances by eliminating Alaska-Anchorage in this weekend’s three-game WCHA playoff series at Magness Arena.

“This past Monday he began participating in warmup drills _ skating, shooting, passing, and (this) Monday he will be cleared for full practice with the team, and at that point we will wait for our medical team, as far as a decision for him to participate in games,” Gwozdecky said. “I don’t anticipate he will be cleared to play at that point. It will be more along the lines of being cleared the week after the Final Five.”