“They’re back,” were the words shouted after Denver’s 6-3 victory over Notre Dame Saturday night at Magness Arena. After three straight lackluster performances, the DU hockey squad they finally came out firing on all cylinders against the struggling Irish who are now winless in their last 21 games. “We played a really good team game today, probably our best game of the season so far and we are just going to have to build on that,” said freshman Brock Trotter.The Pioneers got things going just over three minutes into the game when junior Matt Carle scored his first goal of the year to give DU a 1-0 lead after one period. In the second period Denver received power play goals from senior Gabe Gauthier, sophomore Paul Stastny and Trotter to help give the back-to-back national champions a 4-2 advantage after two periods. The third period was no different as Trotter put in his second goal of the game followed by sophomore Ryan Dingle’s third straight game with a goal. “I think this game is huge for the freshmen. It kind of shows what we are all about here, and we kind of expect that kind of performance every night,” said captain Carle. “For them to get the feeling of winning is something we are all used to from last year, and know we can all mesh together as a team,” he said. The special teams could not have been better for the Pioneers on Saturday night as they put in two on the power play and two short handed.”Our power play was really on tonight, and there were a lot of good plays being made and I just happened to be on the finishing end of it a couple times,.I give a lot of credit to the other guys on the team,” said Trotter.After getting swept last weekend in Maine it was good to watch Denver finally playing as the two time national champions.”The whole frame of mind of the team tonight was a lot more determined and so much more intense and ready to play. They were very unhappy with their performance and approach to the game last night,” said Head Coach George Gwozdecky.Friday night the Pioneers defeated the Air Force Academy 4-2 down in Colorado Springs for their first victory of the season.The Pioneers received goals from Trotter, junior Zach Blom (first career goal), Dingle and freshman Patrick Mullen, also his first career goal. “Tonight, I thought we played a hell of a game, and everything was working, our fore-check, back checking, power play, everything was good tonight,” said Trotter referring to the 6-3 win over the Irish.As to freshman Trotter, Gwozdecky is quite pleased, “Brock is on a line with two pretty good players. He has got some good offensive skills. He has got talent and as long as he continues to work hard and develop he will remain in those positions.”Denver will play this weekend at North Dakota on Friday and Saturday night, the team DU defeated in last year’s NCAA national championship game in Columbus, Ohio. DU is “back” and now it is time to watch some exciting hockey.