The #4 Denver Pioneers (6-2-1, 3-0-0 NCHC) are among the country’s best third-period teams, and it was on full display yet again in game one at Mullett Arena in Tempe, AZ. After skating to a back-and-forth 2-2 tie through two periods, the Pioneers found their third-period gear to take their first lead of the game before freshman defenseman Daxon Rudolph made his mark with two power-play goals on the same five-minute major power play to put the Arizona State Sun Devils (5-4-0, 1-2-0 NCHC) away and earn the game one road victory.

Denver outshot Arizona State 52-25, Johnny Hicks remained unbeaten for his career, and Rudolph put the Pioneers’ middling power play unit on his back, scoring his two PPGs in the span of two and a half minutes. Denver had the 3-2 lead by this point, but it was Landon Hafele’s textbook elbowing major midway through the third period that allowed the Pioneers and Rudolph to put an otherwise very competitive game out of reach.

Clarke Caswell sealed the 6-3 victory with an empty-net goal and Sam Harris’ secondary assist on Caswell’s marker, combined with his second-period goal, netted him his 100th career point.

The Pioneers and Sun Devils do it all again at Mullett Arena at noon on Sunday. We will post a more in-depth weekend recap after the conclusion of Sunday’s matinee.