How do you slow down the high-flying, skilled Pioneers (29-8-0, 19-5-0)? The Bloodhawks, er RedHawks, decided to play tough and physical. Clearly, this approach gave Miami (8-23-4, 3-18-3) their best chance to win against a superior team. It wasn’t a dirty style of play by the visitors but a high-octane effort that fell short, 6-2. The Pioneers got excellent play from goaltender Matt Davis and Jack Devine’s four goals, a haul or ‘Texas hat trick’, sealed the first game of the NCHC Quarterfinals for Denver.

It was a fast-paced, scrappy first period. Miami got on the board first when PJ Fletcher found net with a blast from the point four minutes into the period. Jack Devine countered three-and-a-half minutes later on the powerplay to knot the score 1-1. The teams fought to a scoreless draw over the next seven minutes plus until Devine scored yet again at even-strength to give the Pioneers a lead they would not relinquish. It was a physical game by a bigger Miami team with each team taking and giving tough shots along the boards. Denver outshot the Redhawks 22-14 in the frame and owned the period’s only power-play opportunity.

The scrappy play continued until 16:37 of the second period when Miami took down Owen Ozar behind the Miami goal and the ensuing scuffle sent Ozar and two Miami players, Axel Kumlin and Alex Murray, to the penalty box. Neither team could take advantage of the open ice and Denver nursed a tight one-goal margin. However,  at 7:57 Jack Devine secured a natural hat trick for Denver with the man-up advantage, 3-1, and breathing room for DU. The customary hats hit the Magnress ice as a salute to Devine. But the pesky Redhawks had ideas of their own when Mike Benning was called for a trip. With 1:21 remaining in the period, the Redhawks took advantage of the shorthanded Pioneers with a goal by Joe Cassetti to pull within one, 3-2, to end the second period. Each team had two powerplay attempts and Denver led in shots, 13-9, for the period but the Redhawks strategy made it a tight game for the first 40 minutes.

Denver got just what the doctor ordered early in the third period with a quick penalty on Miami.  Denver took advantage at 2:18 when Jack Devine went to work again on a epic scoring spree with another goal to double up Miami, 4-2. Seven minutes later, Tristan Lemyre scored even strength for DU to build a 5-2 lead behind rock-solid Matt Davis in goal. Each team staved off powerplays and man advantages down the stretch until Miami pulled their goaltender, Ludvig Persson, and DU’s Connor Caponi made the Redhawks pay with an open-net goal to cap the evening with 1:07 remaining. The final score 6-2, Denver.

Denver was not flat in this game, especially in the first two periods. Miami’s head coach Chris Bergeron crafted an excellent plan to use the Redhawks size and hustle to try to match up with Denver. However, Denver was clearly the better team on the night, especially during the third period as Denver’s speed and skill took over the game. Denver also was playing without five regulars, providing the team with extra rest and an opportunity to sharpen the teams depth and experience.

Next up is Miami at 6:00 pm MT at Magness Arena for game #2 in the NCHC Quarterfinal series.

David Carle Postgame Interview:

Jack Devine Interview

Matt Davis Interview

Audio Interviews:  Courtesy of Josie Lecompte