The #2 Denver Pioneers (13-3-0, 3-3-0 NCHC) may not have found their offensive footing but they found two important goals in game two in Kalamazoo when they needed them most. After skating to a 1-1 tie with the #7 Western Michigan Broncos (10-3-1, 6-1-1 NCHC) after two periods, the Pioneers found themselves down 2-1 in the waning minutes. With his own net empty, Samu Salminen fired a pass from Boston Buckberger past a stout Hampton Slukynsky to tie the game with just over a minute left. Captain Carter King won it nearly three minutes into three-on-three overtime with a beauty of a five-hole shot after turning on the jets on a breakaway. Continue reading Pioneers Battle Back for OT Split at Western Michigan with Extra-Skater & OT Goals →

For two periods of game one of this weekend’s series in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the #2 Denver Pioneers (12-3-0, 2-3-0 NCHC) were outshot and outworked by the #7 Western Michigan Broncos (10-2-1, 6-0-1 NCHC). The Pioneers bounced back for a strong third period but the Broncos’ three goals – one in the final minute of the first period and two less than a minute apart in the middle of the second period – were enough to earn the win and keep the Pioneers’ uncharacteristically cold offense from completing a third-period comeback. Jake Fisher and James Reeder each scored in the third period but it wasn’t enough as the Broncos all but cruised to the 3-2 victory, Denver’s third-straight loss after skating to a 12-0 start to the season. Continue reading Pioneers Drop Third-Straight in Loss at Western Michigan →