#5 Denver (19-8-2, 10-6-1) had dropped to fifth in the NCHC standings and, despite their lofty national ranking, the trip to Minnesota Duluth felt like a must-win series. Coming off an open weekend after dropping three of their last four games and going on the road, could Denver regain their form in the final quarter of NCHC Play? Denver carried a comfortable 4-2 lead into the final chaotic three minutes but needed overtime to secure the win, 5-4.
Denver got off to a solid start in Duluth. The Pioneers controlled the game early by dominating at the faceoff dot and shots-on-goal. Aiden Thompson scored through a screen at 13:05 to give DU a 1-0 lead. Two-and-a-half minutes later, Tristan Broz took a pass to the right of the cage and rifled a shot past goaltender Zach Stejeskal for Denver’s second even-strength goal, 2-0. Denver dominated on faceoffs, 15-5, and shots-on-goal 26-20.
The second period started with a five-minute penalty plus a 2-minute minor on UMD for a cross check/spearing on Luke Bast. Denver failed to score on the seven-minute penalty kill. The Bulldog momentum from the seven-minute penalty kill carried over 37 seconds later following a faceoff win and goal from UMD’s Aiden Dubinsky, 2-1. The Pioneers went scoreless on a two-minute powerplay and UMD finally faced a shorthanded Pioneer side on a McKade Webster penalty. Quinn Olson scored for UMD on the extra man, 2-2 at 13:39. In the waning minutes of the period, a UMD turnover on their own defensive end led to a puck on Carter Kings stick and a goal for DU, 3-2, with 2:10 left in the period.
The teams skated even-up to start the final period. McCade Webster found a rebound in the crease and stuffed the puck in-goal, 4-2, Denver. As time was winding down, UMD pulled their goalie and a blast past Matt Davis by Aaron Pionk pulled the Bulldogs within one, 4-3. With only 1:45 left and the UMD goalie pulled, Luke Loheit shot from the left side of the cage and the puck found its way between Davis and the pipe, 4-4.
In OT, DU controlled the puck and Aiden Thompson found the five-hole of Stejeskal for two points in the NCHC standings and a 5-4 win. What felt like a return to form by Denver felt like a roller coaster as Denver’s lead slipped away and the Pioneers salvaged the win in overtime.
Aidan Thompson cleans up to get the Pioneers on the scoreboard in the first period. #GoPios pic.twitter.com/PZfaMHe6dp
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) February 17, 2024
A look at Tristan Broz's goal that doubled the Pioneers' advantage after killing a penalty. pic.twitter.com/4hVeXPmuNz
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) February 17, 2024
These moves by the Pios make Carter King's 15th tally of the season tonight's @Safeway Goal of the Game! pic.twitter.com/1n8Xu8lW9m
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) February 17, 2024
McKade Webster muscled his way to a tally to give the Pioneers a two-goal advantage. pic.twitter.com/HEA012jknh
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) February 17, 2024
Aidan Thompson with his 2nd career OT goal in this building.
There is something about Amsoil… pic.twitter.com/PjBYQnUc3r
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) February 17, 2024
I thought DU had a much better team than the one we saw tonight….and over the past several games. Obviously not.
As the season has progressed the other teams have kept getting better…while DU stagnates.
A top 4 finish in the NCHC may no longer be realistic.
They’re way over-rated.
Bad special teams again what’s up with Rizzo
Can’t remember…does this game, for DU, go down as a win or a tie, for purposes pairwise rankings (not asking re conference points, just the pairwise.).
Scoring that 4th goal felt like a major relief. What are you gonna do about the empty net last couple of minutes. That’ll happen sometimes. Glad we got the OT winner, but frustrating to even have to go to OT, after getting a 7 min minute power play with a 2 goal lead. Critical for DU to stay focused, esp. with Rizzo out.
If you follow the Pairwise Rankings/Team
RPI, it’s important to note that an overtime
win does not impact your RPI the same as a
regulation win would. OT winners receive
55% of the RPI points, while OT losers get 45%. OT winners used to get 66% but that calculation has changed.
We stride, glide and wait for a pass. Good teams bite, dig and go after the puck. When’s the last time you saw a snow shower from a full-speed hockey stop by a Pio?
Yes indeed, this year’s team is taking us on an emotional roller coaster ride – beating BC early gave us a sugar high. Agree, other teams appear to be hungrier for victory. Spreading my risk: Am starting to invest more time and energy on start of lax programs – Go Pios!
We have some great teams in hockey and lacrosse. Carle and the Pios can still get it together this year, but women’s lacrosse could be “the team to watch.” Gymnastics, always great. Seems so tough to displace the top 5 regulars in that sport, but awesome that DU punches way above its weight.