Denver started slowly Friday night with head Coach David Carle and Zeev Buium returning from the World Junior Championship in Sweden. The team had only played one game since December 9th and students do not return to campus until next week. Despite the sluggish pace in the first two periods, DU never seemed seriously threatened in their 5-2 victory.
Denver (13-5-1, 5-3-0) scored two goals in the first period in a slow-paced game. DU’s Jack Devine found twine at 7:19. Niagara countered to knot the game 1-1 but Carter King gave the Pioneers the lead at 17:45 to exit the period with a 2-1 lead.
The second period was more of the same as Johnny Wescoe scored for the Purple Eagles, 2-2. Two and a half minutes later with DU on the powerplay, Jack Devine knotted the score, 3-2.
Denver seemed to play at a better pace in the third period, creating numerous opportunities to score but were off a tic on several chances. Kent Anderson gave DU some breathing room at 11:24 with the help of captain McKade Webster, 4-2. Rieger Lorenz finished the scoring for Denver at 16:43 for the final 5-2 score.
Expect David Carle and Zeev Buium to be back in the building tomorrow night for the 6:00 pm puck drop.
The King in his castle! đź‘‘
Carter snipes @DU_Hockey into the lead
đź“ş: @AltitudeTV 2 // https://t.co/ZyUdpPa7bb#NCHChockey // #GoPios pic.twitter.com/U7xuRT4HpC
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) January 6, 2024
After review, the puck went off a Niagara players' skate.
Jack Devine will get credit for the tally with his NCAA-leading 17th of the season.
DU 3 | NU 2 pic.twitter.com/jyH0wAp5Px
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) January 6, 2024
Kent Anderson with the @Safeway Goal of the Game!
Kicks the puck to himself, goes top-shelf!#GoPios pic.twitter.com/XZB5JJqrVC
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) January 6, 2024
What a disjointed effort by DU tonight. I’m glad we weren’t playing a better opponent. We would have been soundly beaten. Hope DC can get this ship headed in the right direction for St. Cloud next weekend.
Not exactly a thing of beauty last night, but DU did enough to beat a pesky and determined Niagara team. Full credit to the Purple Eagles–they skated well, took advantage of some lackluster play from DU, created plenty of quality scoring chances, and were effectively physical. For a team that is well under .500 and sitting in 3rd to last place in Atlantic Hockey, they showed up very well.
Pios need a much better forecheck tonight, need to keep the pressure on Niagara’s d-men, and need to play with the puck more. There were glimpses of that last night, but it was spotty at best.