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In a nail-biting NCAA season opener, the No. 1-ranked Denver Pioneers defeated 2009 NCAA Frozen Four participant Vermont 5-4 in Magness Arena Friday.

The Pioneers rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the third period to score three straight goals to give Denver the win.

“I think opening-night jitters really affected us,” said head coach George Gwozdecky. “I think that the anxiety and the stress of maybe the ranking and the pre-season polls and I think more importantly opening up in front of your home crowd and especially this anniversary and with so many of our great players in attendance.”

This weekend DU hockey celebrates their 60th year of the program and the Pioneers donned throwback jerseys replicating the different jerseys in program history.

Vermont’s Patrick Cullity was the first to score with just over five minutes remaining in the period, assisted by Brayden Irwin and Wahsontiio Stacey.

Less than two minutes later, Denver’s Kyle Ostrow, junior, netted one past Vermont’s Rob Madore to tie the game 1-1.

Vermont was quick to regain the lead they would hold for the first two periods, netting a second goal past Pioneer goaltender Marc Cheverie at 17:54.  Jack Downing scored making it a 2-1 game for the Catamounts.

The Pioneers made a giant comeback in third period with one goal from sophomore defenseman Patrick Wiercioch on the power play just 28 seconds of play, assisted by Donovan and Rakhshani.

Sophomore Joe Colborne tied the game 4-4 on the power play nearly halfway through the final stanza, then netted the game-winner with just 2:01 left on the clock.

“Coach George really kind of laid the law down the law in between the second and the third and we came out and responded,” Colborne said. “That’s the sign of a good team.”

DU outshot UVM 43-22.

The Catamounts and the Pioneers will rematch tomorrow at 7:07 p.m. MST with freshman Adam Murray in the goal for Denver. For live updates, fan interviews and post-game player interviews visit DUClarion.com.