Photo by: Jacob Rokeach
The Pioneers moved one game over .500 with their win against Providence Saturday in Rhode Island. Denver won 10-7 against the 0-8 Friars.
The Friars scored first, but the Pioneers rattled off three unanswered goals to close the first period. Ryan Zordani grabbed the first goal to tie the game at one a piece and then Ilija Gajic scored the final two goals of the quarter.
Brad Richardson scored two in a row to start the second quarter, giving the Pioneers a 5-1 lead. The next four goals, however, were scored by the Friars to make it a 5-5 game a minute into the third quarter. Ryan Zordani then got his second of the game followed by a Friar goal. Joey Murray then exchanged goals with Michael Farley of Providence to make the game 7-7 with ten minutes left in the fourth quarter. Denver then closed the game with a 3-0 run getting goals from Jon Paulson, Brandon Barcus and Gajic.
Gajic tallied his second hat trick of the year, contributing three of the six goals that the Pioneers got from their bench. Richardson and Zordani also had two goals apiece. Joey Murray contributed three assists to go with his single goal while John Dickenson, Paulson, Ryan Shaughnessy and Gajic also contributed assists in the win.
Goalie Jeb Hollingsworth played all 60 minutes, allowing seven goals and making three saves. Peter Littell of Providence allowed 10 goals and made 10 saves in 60 minutes of play.
The Pioneers continued to struggle on face-offs, winning only six of 20. Daniel Nickell won two of eight while Shea Shepard won four of 12. For the year, they are averaging only 42 percent of the face-offs they take. This is in contrast to a 65.5 percent average last season. A reason for this decline is the loss of Geoff Snider who last year was ranked second in the nation for face offs won.
The next game for the Pioneers is in Louisville, Ky. where they will face Bellarmine on April 13. The Pioneers will wrap up their road trip in South Bend, Ind. where they will take on the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame on April 15.
