Two second period goals at the hands of senior forward Evan Janssen secured the 4-3 victory for the University of Denver over Boston University on Friday, Oct. 14. The No. 10-ranked Denver Pioneers never trailed the game as they silenced the No. 2-ranked Boston Terriers.

The absence of Dylan Gambrell suffering an upper-body injury and estimated to be out for four-six weeks provided the opportunity for Denver’s forwards to step up.

The Pioneers’ third line consisting of Evan Janssen, Tyson McLellan, Logan O’Connor line delivered half of DU’s four tallies. “That Janssen line with McLellan and O’Connor was special tonight. I couldn’t get them out there enough,” said coach Jim Montgomery.

4:44 into the second period, Janssen finished on the doorstep off a feed from linemate Logan O’Connor to extend Denver’s lead 3-0.

Just over the halfway mark of the period, BU added its first tally on a power play goal buried by Calgary Flames prospect Brandon Hickey. Hickey bounced the puck past Jaillet of a feed from Jakob Karlsson.

At 12:06 remaining in the middle frame, freshman Tyson McLellan centered the puck across the slot to Janssen. Janssen sent his wrist shot past Oettinger to extend the Pioneers’ lead 4-1.

Denver lost momentum in the final frame, but never relinquished its lead. 2:47 into the period, the Terriers cut their deficit in half. 8:01 later, Doyle Somerby was assessed for holding, delivering Denver’s seventh power play of the evening. Arizona Coyotes prospect Clayton Keller picked up a loose puck and scored BU’s third goal on a shorthanded breakaway.

Boston’s physicality and overbearing intensity backfired as the Terriers served 14 penalty minutes and allowed the Pioneers to gain momentum on their powerplays.

Denver’s first goal was scored on the third power play of the night as BU’s Dante Fabbro was assessed with interference. 16 seconds in, Jarid Lukosevicus fed senior captain Will Butcher at the point. Butcher fired a wrist shot which senior center Matt Marcinew tipped bar down past Oettinger to put the Pioneers on the board first.   

The Pioneers’ second conversion was finished by Anaheim Ducks prospect Troy Terry. 4:02 into the second period, Terry drove into the slot and shot a wrist shot past Oettinger on the weak side. Freshman defenseman Michael Davies picked up the assist.

Janssen’s two goals amassed to a four points recorded against BU in the past year. In the first round of the NCAA Tournament Denver demolished the Terriers 7-2, where Janssen had a goal and an assist.

Denver returns tomorrow night for the second game of the series against the Terriers in Magness Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.