It would be too easy to focus on the missed opportunities in Friday nights 2-1 victory over Omaha. DU (4-2-1, 1-0-0) went 0-5 on the power-play and nearly doubled up the visitors on shots (39-20). But it was a typical, gritty NCHC clash. Denver carried the pace of play but a scrappy Omaha team was able to forge a 1-1 tie late in the third period . Ultimately, it took the heroics of Kristian Epperson to cement the 2-1 victory for DU.

It was a choppy, slightly uninspired first period but DU net minder Johnny Hicks got his feet wet in his first game action since Alaska. DU held a four shot advantage (12-8) while missing several high quality opportunities. Omaha’s goalie William Lacelle played a solid period and game. The lowlight was a squandered 5-on-3 advantage by the Pioneers. A struggling power-play, especially early in the season, is nothing new for Denver Hockey. 

Denver opened the second period on the jump. It took a second period two-man Pioneer breakout and Jack Pridham buried a backhand chance at 18:30, 1-1. Denver kept pressing Omaha and skated downhill against the Mavs, assaulting the Omaha goal with a number of grade-A chances. Denver came up dry on the power-play but it wasn’t for lack of effort or opportunity. It looked like the roof was about to fall-in on the visitors during the period but they clung to the narrowest of deficits at the second break 1-0.

DU’s intensity carried over to the third period. An Omaha holding penalty at 15:37 was followed by a diving penalty by Sam Harris 20 seconds later to set-up four-on-four. Johnny Hicks stoned an Omaha breakaway and smothered the puck to preserve the lead in one of the most critical saves during the game. Omaha earned a boarding penalty at 10:15 and DU went on their powerplay, their fifth, to essentially end the tight game. DU came up empty yet again and paid the price shortly thereafter. Out of nowhere, the Mavs raced down ice and a shot by Vincent Desjardins beat Hicks (1-1, 11:59). The Pioneers went to work. Denver countered at 6:07 when a snipe by Kristian Epperson regained the Denver lead (2-1, 13:53). Omaha pulled their goalie with three minutes left in regulation and the pressure shifted to the Denver defensive end. The Mavs created several dangerous opportunities but Johnny Hicks and the Pioneers defense bowed up. Final score, 2-1.

The teams meet up again Saturday night at 6:00 pm MT.