Western Michigan’s Lawson Arena has been a house of horrors for the University of Denver hockey but Denver snapped their four-game road losing streak to the Broncos Friday night. #3 Denver (17-6-1, 15-4-0) met the #5 Broncos (19-8-1, 11-7-1) in Kalamazoo, Michigan and the Pioneers capitalized on the man advantage to score three power play goals in the 4-1 win.
In the first period, DU’s Carter Savoie drew the game even on a power play marker to (briefly) quiet the Lawson Lunatics. Denver outshot the Broncos 14-6 for the period.
Carter Savoie scores 17th goal of the season and 9th on the power play. pic.twitter.com/w0z6qhBIVW
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) February 19, 2022
A Bobby Brink power play goal at 6:16, DU’s second extra-man tally, gave Denver a 2-1 edge at the end of the second period. Each side had 11 shots on goal during the period.
Brink picks up his second point of the night and 46th of the season as Denver scores on the power play for the second time tonight. pic.twitter.com/91hp3E4Rd8
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) February 19, 2022
In the third period, Mike Benning stuffed in his own rebound at 12:53 for a 3-1 Denver lead. A minute and a half later, a Bronco penalty led to a Carter Mazur power play goal, Denver’s third, as DU extended their lead to 4-1.
Jackson's own Carter Mazur with the deflection.
Welcome back to Michigan! pic.twitter.com/S8u5uqRnLw
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) February 19, 2022
Final score, 4-1, DU. The teams meet up again tomorrow night at the same time, 5 pm MT.
Great overall effort by the Pios.
This was a very mature road hockey win by the Pios, taking the power plays that WMU gifted to DU and then scoring three PPGs to distance themselves in a hostile, difficult environment.
WMU has plenty of talent and experience, so why the Broncos took so many stupid penalties in a showdown game really surprised me.
DU locked the game down in the third with excellent gap control, which didn’t allow many second chances by the experienced Broncos. I was also very impressed with Chrona’s ability to make the saves he needed to make and keeping his rebounds under control. WMU’s lone goal was a top corner rocket that would have beaten an NHL goalie, but Chrona was in position to save all the rest of WMU shots.
Tonight, I expect WMU to maintain their discipline and up their intensity level and puck pressure. Pios can choose to absorb this WMU push, but I’d rather see DU try to impose their own speed and intensity and make WMU try to go 200 feet all night long.
Win tonight, and the Penrose Trophy comes into closer reach….