Despite 40 scoreless minutes to start the game, the No. 2-ranked University of Denver Pioneers came out with a 3-1 victory against unranked University of Minnesota in Magness Arena.

This was the first goal the Gophers have gotten past Denver’s junior goaltender Marc Cheverie since November 2008.

“The big guy for us through the first 40 minutes was Marc Cheverie, in allowing us to keep the game close so we’d have a chance in the third period,” said Denver’s head coach George Gwozdecky.

“I don’t know how to explain it,” Cheverie said.

With this win, Cheverie improves to 16-3-3 and is tied for No. 1 in the country for save percentage.

Denver is now No. 2 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association with 30 points – one point behind St. Cloud State, while Minnesota is No. 6 with 18 points.

The Gophers were in control of the puck most of the game, outshooting the Pioneers 26-16 in the first two period.

The game didn’t really get going until the start of the third.

“Coach lit a fire in us,” said senior forward Tyler Ruegsegger. “I think our team responded a little to that.”

Just five seconds into play, Ruegsegger scored the first goal of the night, assisted by John Lee and Cheverie.

Denver’s Joe Coloborne put the Pioneers back on the board at 11:37, assisted by captain Rhett Rakhshani and Ruegsegger.

Cheverie was just 1:38 away from his fourth straight Gopher shutout.

That’s when Minnesota pulled goaltender Alex Kangas for a 6-on-5 man advantage and Patrick White scored the Gopher’s first goal past Cheverie this season. 

White was assisted by Cade Fairchild and Mike Carman at 18:22.

Just 17 seconds later, Rakhshani scored unassisted to lead the Pioneers 3-1.

Ruegsegger said it’s going to be tough battle in Saturday’s series finale.

The puck drops at 7:07 p.m. MST.