DENVER, Colorado – There was an awkward gap on the Denver bench this past Friday. 

As the Pioneers defeated Niagara 5-2 in their first formal game back from the holiday break – they had an exhibition against Minot State on Dec. 30 – assistant coaches Dallas Ferguson and Tavis MacMillan stuck to their sides. One running the forwards, the other calling the defense. 

While Ferguson and MacMillan were technically filling in as co-coaches, no one was willing to step into the middle where David Carle normally stands, and will be this Friday when Denver host St. Cloud State in its return to NCHC play. 

It’s symbolic in a way, because at some point soon, Carle is going to get his call to the NHL and Denver will have a massive hole to fill on the bench. 

Carle missed the game against Niagara because he