Blizzard Alexandra visited the Grand Forks Region and Denver (8-3-0, 4-1-0) took a circuitous route to Ralph Engelstad Arena. The DU team flew to Minneapolis Thursday night after their flight to Fargo was canceled, followed by a six-hour bus ride to Grand Forks today. The Pioneers hit the ice in time for puck drop at 6:00 pm MT as scheduled to play the Fighting Hawks (4-4-2, 1-1-1).
DU’s sophomore Carter King started the scoring in the first period, 1-0 Pioneers. UND’s Griffin Ness countered with a goal at 17:01 to knot the score, 1-1. Both goals were even-strength despite five penalty calls during the period. Early in the second period, freshman Aidan Thompson got his first goal as a Pioneer to put Denver up 2-1. Just like the first period, the teams collected five more powerplays in the period, five each for the game with no shorthanded goals.
REPLAY: Carter King tallies his 2nd of the season, while Kyle Mayhew extends his point streak to a now career-high 4 games.
Frosh Kent Anderson picks up his 1st career point with an assist. pic.twitter.com/lKSWVitTgk
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) November 12, 2022
Starting the third period with UND on the powerplay, Chris Jandric scored for the Fighting Hawks in the first minute of the period to tie the game, 2-2. Exactly five minutes later, DU freshman Jared Wright scored his first collegiate goal, the game-winner, to put Denver up 3-2. The Pioneers shut down the Fighting Hawks until DU captain Justin Lee was pulled down by Riese Gabor behind the Denver cage with 2:53 remaining. Both players were sent to the box and UND pulled their goalie to go 5-on-4 for two minutes (and the rest of the game) but could never solve Magnus Chrona. Denver withheld the UND flurry with Chrona making several great saves for the win.
Jared Wright is, by far, the fastest college hockey player I’ve ever seen. Dude has some WHEELS. https://t.co/xMjPkunub7
— LetsGoDU (@LetsGoDU) November 12, 2022
The victory marked DU’s first win at The Ralph since 2018. The rivals meet again Saturday at 5:00 pm MT. After departing the ice tonight with three points, Denver could finally go to their hotel and check-in for a hard-earned rest.
This was as a gutsy a DU win as you’ll see – talk about a terrible 48 hours of stress amid grinding winter travel, with no practice or morning skate, getting to Grand Forks just before the game, missing Behrens to injury (and his PP Qb skills), and still managing to beat UND! All three DU goals from underclassmen, on the road, too.
To get the sweep, DU is going to need more from the top line of Rizzo, Mazur and Dornbach.
Go Pios!
Under the circumstances…Unbelievable! Go Pios!!
Just like the F.4 in Boston it’s a big thanks to Chrona. He made great saves after great saves. .
Terrific win last night for DU after dealing with what sounds like a nightmarish travel odyssey. Let’s get another tonight fellas!