The DU-Miami game Friday night was not as decisive as the final 4-1 score might indicate. On paper, the Miami Redhawks (3-14-2) looked to be a pushover but they entered the first period with energy, tightened up the score to a one-goal game in the second period and finally succumbed to DU in the final period.

It took several early saves by DU goaltender Matt Davis to keep the Redhawks off the scoreboard. Miami was matching Denver’s speed, dumping pucks into the offensive zone and pressuring the Denver defense. The period ended 0-0 as neither team could solve goaltenders Matt Davis or Bruno Bruveris.

The critical ‘play’ of the game was a five-minute major on Miami’s Nick Donato which put DU on the powerplay a mere 28 seconds into the second period. Less than a minute later Aiden Thompson scored to put DU up 1-0. Two minutes later, Eric Pohlkamp scored for Denver for a two-goal margin. Miami’s goaltender Bruno Bruveris made some spectacular saves to hold the game close and keep the margin at two. Denver appeared to be in control the rest of the period when Colby Ambrosio scored an even-strength goal and, suddenly, it was a game again with less than two minutes left in the period, 2-1.

Denver picked up the pace in the third but it took nearly half the period before Jack Devine delivered some breathing room for the Pioneers with an even-strength tally, 3-1. Denver and Matt Davis held the Redhawks in check the rest of the way until Zeev Buium, off the heroics of his World Junior Championship performance, scored an empty net goal, 4-1, sending fans streaming to the exits.

Denver outshot Miami 32 to 18 and improved their overall play as the game progressed. Two powerplay goals on five opportunities played a critical part in the conference win coming out of the holiday break. Also, Denver held Miami to 0-4 on the powerplay.

Next up is Miami again tonight at Magness Arena at 6:00 pm MT.