The #2 Denver Pioneers topped the Lake Superior State Lakers in the opening game of the weekend’s two game series in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Denver had to overcome a first period 1-0 deficit with goals from Ian Mitchell (2nd of the year), Emilio Pettersen (1st), and Jaakko Heikkinen (1st). Magnus Chrona notched his third straight solid performance with 23 saves on 24 total shots and the penalty kill remained perfect on the year.
There will be more on this game come Sunday morning in our road weekend recap. What are your thoughts on this game?
Good win… But where’s the DU power play?
1 for 14! = 3,21% That’s unbelievably bad.
Pios are 3-0. Definitely some early season kinks and things to work on, but keep it going boys!!!
As Rod Summers says, “A win is a win.” 3-0 is perfect and is all that really matters early in the season. Another win tonight vs LSSU, and DU will be #1 in the country with BC coming to town next weekend.
Going beneath the scoreline, what were seeing so far is that DU tends to start slowly. The Pios have fallen behind in two of the three games so far, and all the games have been close until the Pioneers gradually take over the game with talent and experience advantages and skate away with victories. That innate ability to do what it takes to win certainly bodes well for DU. The Pioneers are showing balance with five players at 3 points each so far, and Magnus Chrona has been great, saving 95% of the shots he’s faced. DU’s defense has been very good, allowing only about a goal per game against what will likely be .500 level competition from a lesser league.
On the downside, DU has only 1 PPG in 3 games, which is a continuation of last year’s poor power play. DU will need to be better than that if they hope to beat elite teams. At 3.3 GPG, this DU team has been also middling offensively so far agains so-so competition, scoring just enough to win, but not blowing anyone out.
Keep working, boys.