Photo by: Michael Furman
Coming into the third weekend of conference action, the Pioneers find themselves tied for first place in the conference.
Still without a loss in WCHA play, their record is identical to in-state rival Colorado College at 3-0-1.
This weekend the Pioneers (5-2-1, 3-0-1) travel to Alaska to play unranked Alaska-Anchorage. Last weekend, the Seawolves (1-3-0, 3-5-0) traveled to Minnesota to play the University of Minnesota.
In the first game, Anchorage jumped out to a great start, scoring the first goal of the game, but Minnesota answered with five goals of their own to dominate the Seawolves 5-1.
In the second game, Minnesota jumped out to a first period lead and never looked back.
They scored two goals in the first period and Alaska-Anchorage could not make up this difference. Minnesota coasted to a 4-1 win, and Anchorage was swept out of Minnesota.
Even though they Alaska Anchorage is are 3-5 overall and 1-3 in the WCHA, this series cannot be looked at as an easy weekend.
It is never easy on the road, and that one conference win for the Seawolves was against the third-ranked team in the nation, North Dakota.
The Pioneers had an emotional weekend filled with highs and lows. In the first five minutes of the first game, junior goaltender Marc Cheverie eclipsed Peter Mannino’s all-time shutout streak record at DU. This is a feat that will not soon be forgotten.
However, disaster struck in the third period of a 2-2 game, when a skate clipped Cheverie in the leg, cutting him deeply. The blade missed any vital arteries, but he will be out for a few weeks.
The Pioneers’ freshman Adam Murray came in to relieve Cheverie in the third period and was able to help lead the Pioneers to a 4-3 victory.
In game two, it was Murray’s time to take the reigns completely. He got off to a shaky start, allowing two goals on the first three shots of the game.
However the offense was able to bail him out and come back to tie it 4-4.
In overtime, Minnesota State forward Justin Jokinen steamrolled Adam Murray with just over a minute left.
There were a few tense moments in Magness Arena until Murray got up and remained in the game. The game ended in a 4-4 tie.
The Pioneers have had success against the Seawolves in the past. Coming into this weekend, the team has won 11 of the last 12 games against their WCHA rival, including seven straight games in Alaska.
This weekend the Pioneers will have to make the long trip to Alaska to play the Seawolves on Friday and Saturday night.
The Pioneers will look to overtake Colorado College and stand alone as No. 1 in the WCHA. Also, with the No. 2 ranking in the nation, they hope to pass Miami-Ohio to reclaim the first spot in the nation, where they were ranked coming into the season.
