Photo by: David Lorish
After struggling through weeks of distraction and loss, the No. 7 Pioneers (19-8-1, 13-6-1 WCHA) overcame their adversity against the No. 20 Minnesota Gophers (12-13-7, 6-11-5 WCHA) beginning Friday night as DU battled to a 1-1 tie followed by a 4-1 win Saturday.
The Pioneers recorded five goals despite the loss of leading scorer Brock Trotter who signed a three-year free agent entry level NHL contract with the Montreal Canadiens, which was announced on Thursday. Also missing from the lineup this weekend was the third-leading scorer, assistant captain, sophomore forward Tyler Ruegsegger, due to an abdominal injury last Saturday at Minnesota State.
“I think everybody understood how important this game was and how we had to give ourselves a chance to win it,” said Head Coach George Gwozdecky.B “I don’t want to call it desperate, but considering what we’ve gone through the last few games, this was as important a game as there has been in a long time.”
DU sought to re-establish its motivation with the help of Lieutenant Colonel Austin Renforth of the Marines and family friend of sophomore Rhett Rakhshani, who spoke with the team on Thursday.B
“One of the statements that he made that really hit home with our guys was, ‘Triumph without adversity,’ as he said, ‘ain’t worth shit,'” Gwozdecky said.B
After a scoreless first period on Friday, freshman forward Tyler Bozak put up an unassisted short-handed goal.B Minnesota evened the game midway through the third period scoring just past screened goaltender Peter Mannino.
The goal was reviewed by officials due to a possible interference, but was then allowed, pushing the game into overtime. B
“There was a little interference in front,” Mannino said.B “I felt a stick hit me in the face, then lost my stick.B I think it went up high, they took a shot and it got through. They did what they needed there.”
The series continued on Saturday as sophomore forward Matt Glasser boosted DU’s momentum scoring his second goal of the season assisted by freshman Dustin Jackson, with only 17 seconds remaining in the first period. B
“Obviously Matt Glasser was terrific for us tonight,” Gwozdecky said.B “I think that was his best series by far.”
Halfway through the second period, Bozak scored his 14th goal of the season assisted by Rakhshani and senior forward Tom May. The Pioneers built their lead to 3-0 just minutes later as Rakhshani redirected a shot from junior defenseman Chris Butler and Bozak. B
“I feel like I’ve got to step up,” Bozak said.B “You know those are two unbelievable forwards (Trotter and Rugsegger) that have great scoring talent and they’re just great guys to have it’s really tough having them out.”
With just 3:56 left on the clock, Minnesota’s David Fischer ended what many thought would have been Mannino’s 14th career shutout. B
In an effort to even the score, Minnesota pulled their goalie in the last minute and a half just to see sophomore forward Brian Gifford score his first goal of the season, unassisted in a breakaway. B
“I wanted to see our team come out and try to re-establish the game that we’re effective at, reestablish our identity so to speak,” said Gwozdecky. “And I think we took a real, good, positive step forward in doing that, we competed hard. We played with intensity.”
“Injuries and losing players for whatever reason happens,” Mannino said. “That’s hockey. To overcome adversity shows a lot of character. That’s what we have. I think we’re back on track.”
The Pioneers are next in action as they compete against No. 3 North Dakota in North Dakota this weekend.B The puck is scheduled to drop at 6:37 MST on Friday.B
