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Although DU hockey split its series with lowly Michigan Tech, a team that had not won in 25 games, the team made national news, following freshman David Makowski’s record setting goal which appeared on SportsCenter’s Top Ten Plays.
Behind Makowski’s goal, the Pioneers won 5-1 Saturday night, and clinched home ice advantage for the WCHA playoffs for the eighth consecutive season.
The play of the game came early in the second period when the Pioneers were shorthanded. A face off to the right of goaltender Adam Murray was won back by Drew Shore where Makowski was waiting. Makowski proceeded to propel a zone clearing wrist shot that was lofted 187 feet towards Husky’s goaltender Genoe, beating him blocker side.
According to Fox 31’s website, kvdr.com, Makowski likely scored the longest shorthanded goal in hockey history this weekend.
“A lot of people asked me if I have ever seen anything like that, and its funny Chris Chelios almost scored a goal exactly like that in Madison against North Dakota,” said Gwozdecky.
Despite the national recognition, Denver (19-8-5, 15-6 3 WCHA) dropped in the rankings to No. 6 because of Fridays loss to Michigan Tech.
The Huskies (4-24-4, 2-20-2 WCHA) hadn’t won a game since Oct 15 going into Friday’s game and came in with only four points in WCHA play.
Early on the Huskies’ Patrick McCadden beat Sam Brittain five-hole, surprising everyone in the arena including the Huskies own players giving Tech an early one goal lead. Later in the period, the Pioneers responded with a huge shot from the point by sophomore defenseman Matt Donovan.
As the second period came around the Huskies continued their physical and aggressive play leading to two goals. Tech’s second goal was scored by Bryce Reddick in the slot. Three minutes later another goal was scored by Ryan Furne, giving Tech the 3-1 lead they didn’t relinquish. Down two goals, the Pioneers were in search of a big third period. Early in the third period, Drew Shore scored a goal to make the game 3-2 and a huge third period comeback seemed to be underway.
On Friday night, Michigan Tech’s goaltender Kevin Genoe made marvelous saves, stopping six shots in the third period.
After a miserable loss for DU, the Pioneers rebounded Saturday.
“When you’re a young team like we are, you try to make plays that you think might be there, you pass the puck a little too much. There was no question in my mind we had to simplify our game,” said head coach George Gwozdecky concerning Friday nights loss.
“We set two game objectives for our team following Friday night’s loss,” said Gwozdecky. “One from an offensive standpoint and one from a defensive standpoint which was to really simplify our game, and when we had breakdowns Adam Murray was terrific.
Once again DU allowed the Huskies to score first, marking the seventh consecutive game that the Pioneers allowed their opponents to score the first goal.
“It’s almost standard for us, its almost like we should say okay, before the puck drops we should give our opponents one goal so we don’t have to deal with it,” said Gwozdecky. “We will just start the game with a one goal deficit. We have gotten past the point of getting upset when it happens, either we find a way or our opponent finds a way.”
Shore scored a goal in the first period taking his point streak to six consecutive games. Five minutes later Drew’s brother Nick Shore scored a goal. The goals by both Shores marked the second time the two brothers scored in the same game this season.
Both of the Shore goals were assisted by Pioneer-leading scorer Jason Zucker, giving him 38 points this season (19 goals 19 assists).
Makowski’s game changing goal gave the Pioneers a 3-1 lead.
Eight minutes later, Beau Bennett beat Genoe on a give and go with Dustin Jackson. Bennett received a pass from his goaltender Murray, skated through the neutral zone, slid a 15-foot pass to a streaking Jackson, who threaded the needle in the slot where Benett tapped the puck over Genoe’s right shoulder into the back of the net, giving DU a 4-1 lead.
In Saturday’s game, after allowing a goal on the first shot, Murray saved 18 consecutive shots.
“When Murray has been healthy, there is a lot of competition in net.” said Gwozdecky. “We will see what happens this week at practice and go from there.”
Freshman goaltender Sam Brittain recorded his second consecutive loss on Friday night.
However, thanks to a stellar performance from Murray, the Pioneers will be playing at Magness Arena, where they will host the first round of the WCHA playoffs on March 11.
“One of our season long goals was to get home ice for the WCHA playoffs,” said Gwozdecky. “I don’t think any of us knew prior to the season what this team was going to be capable of, but we knew it was going to be challenging because of some of the teams we were staring down.”
The Pioneers hit the road this weekend to face No. 12 Nebraska-Omaha Feb. 25-26. The puck will drop at 6:37 p.m. MST on Friday, and 6:07 p.m. MST on Saturday.
After being tied atop the WCHA standings two weeks ago, DU now trails No. 1 North Dakota with two weeks remaining in the regular season.
