This game was BIG following a six-game non-winning skid by DU men’s hockey (13-10-2, 9-5). All the recent issues that plagued DU men’s hockey evaporated in the third period at Ralph Engelstad Arena.  After being pulled during the prior two games, goaltender Quentin Miller was outstanding the entire game and, especially, effective in the final period when it counted the most. With the score knotted 2-2 exiting the second period, the Pioneers James Reeder scored the critical game-winning power-play goal (8:41) in the third period. Unlike Friday night, Denver’s defense held strong, showing fight and resolve in the final minutes to secure the win. DU was tenacious and pesky during the third period and earned the critical road split.

Denver started the first period slowly, outshot 8-1 in the first ten minutes. UND was called for a penalty (13:27) when Bennett Zmolek was called for interference. Denver could only generate two shots with the man-advantage. Three minutes later, DU’s Kent Anderson got whistled for cross-checking. Denver limited UND to three shots and no goal. Denver responded less than a minute later (5:51) on a UND turnover behind the cage in their own defensive end. DU’s Clarke Caswell took the turnover and fed a streaking Kristian Epperson who flashed to the goal-front and sniped the miscue into the cage, 1-0. Denver seemed to be gaining confidence and started to earn several good looks against Jan Špunar. However, it was UND that responded three minutes later (2:21) when Cole Reschny launched a shot that ended up on Dylan James stick. James tucked the deflected shot into goal, 1-1. DU was outshot in the frame 12-3 while both teams were scoreless on the power-play.

The second period was similar to the first period as the Fighting Hawks outshot Denver 15-5, yet each team scored a single goal. UND got first blood at 11:17. The teams were skating 4-on-4 when Jake Livanavage skated around several Denver defenders and rifled a shot to the short side of Miller, 2-1. With seven minutes remaining in the second period, Sam Harris found Eric Pohlkamp. Pohlkamp sent his patented slap shot into the North Dakota cage, 2-2. Denver finished the period with a Rieger Lorenz penalty (cross-checking) to end the half and give the Fighting Hawks the man advantage to open the third period.

The third period started with Denver killing the North Dakota power-play (0-3). Unlike Friday night, Denver had an extra step during the period and was the aggressor. The outcome was determined by an unlikely source – the Denver power-play. North Dakota was called for hooking at 10:28, UND’s third penalty of the game. Late in the penalty, James Reeder picked up a carom from an Epperson shot-on-goal and launched it over a sprawling Jan Špunar, 3-2 Pioneers. Denver went scoreless on another power-play opportunity but carried their momentum into the waning minutes. UND pulled Špunar for the extra man with a minute-and-a-half remaining. Miller and the Denver defense stood tall as the whiteout crowd pleaded for the equalizer. Denver weathered the Fighting Hawks push. Final score 3-2.  Denver earns a critical road split against #2 North Dakota.