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The 11th hour is approaching fast.

Colorado College launches a last-ditch defense of the coveted Gold Pan this week when CC takes on the No. 8-ranked University of Denver in the second of two regular-season series between the teams during the 2012-13 campaign.

Faceoff is 7:37 p.m. MT Friday at DU's Magness Arena before the action shifts to the Colorado Springs World Arena for Saturday's 7:07 p.m. rematch.

The struggling Tigers, 10-14-4 overall and 7-10-3 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, head into Round 2 of the annual Interstate-25 rivalry needing a sweep in order to retain possession of the Gold Pan they claimed for the 11th time in 19 seasons a year ago. DU needs only a tie to take the trophy back.

The Pioneers prevailed twice earlier this season, skating to 6-5 and 6-2 victories in mid-November. They head into the weekend tied for third in the league standings, at 10-6-4, and are 15-8-4 overall.

Saturday's weekend finale marks the final regular-season contest ever between the archrivals as members of the WCHA, as both will compete in the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference starting next fall.

In 285 previous showdowns, Denver owns an all-time advantage of 159-111-15. But, despite the back-to-back losses last fall, Colorado College has dropped only eight of the last 27 encounters (12-8-7) dating back to the 2005-06 season. The Tigers, who have fallen in four of their last five appearances at Magness Arena, still are 15-10-4 overall in 29 previous dates there with Denver. They also are 19-9-4 in 32 all-time meetings at the World Arena.

Ninth-place CC, currently five points out of sixth place where it needs to end up for a home-ice berth in the first round of the conference playoffs next month, opens a five-game stand at the World Arena on Saturday. Next visitor, after another bye week, will be league-leadiing St. Cloud State University on Feb. 22 and 23.

Tiger Bites: The 17 shots on goal by Colorado College in last Saturday's 3-3 draw at Alaska Anchorage tied a season low set originally in a 3-1 loss at St. Cloud State on Dec. 15...Senior goalie Joe Howe, whose next start will be the 100th of his career, has lost only once in his last five assignments, going 2-1-2 with a 2.30 GAA and .925 saves percentage...Senior defenseman Mike Boivin, one of five CC players with 20 points or more in '12-13, continues to lead all blue-line specialists nationwide with 12 goals...Senior center Rylan Schwartz and junior left winger Alexander Krushelnyski are tied for fourth place among WCHA scoring leaders with 26 points apiece (8g,18a) in league play.