The DU hockey team hosted its first exhibition contest of the preseason this past weekend when it took on McGill University.
Sophomore Jason Zucker, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s Preseason Player of the Year, tallied both of Denver’s goals, as the two teams tied 2-2 after overtime play.
With the Pioneers trailing 2-1, Zucker tied the contest at the 17:09 mark of the third period when he slipped the puck past McGill’s Hubert Morin.
“I came in prepared,” said Zucker. “I was able to get a couple good goals from passes from Drew Shore and Beau Bennett.”
Zucker’s first period goal gave the Pioneer’s a 1-0 lead on McGill at the 10:17 mark of the first period. Sophomore defenseman David Makowski fed Zucker to the right of McGill goalie Hubert Morin, where Zucker was able to find twine.
The physicality shown by both teams was evident by multiple small fights after the whistle.
McGill, a non-NCAA team, was not to be taken lightly as an opponent as they had defeated Colorado College 5-3 in an exhibition match last season.
“They are a good team,” said Zucker. “They are older than us on average but they played hard and had a couple good goals.”
The Pioneers were able to hold the Redmen scoreless untill the Redmen finally found the back of the net as time expired at the end of the second period. Francis Verreault-Paul scored the Redmen’s first goal.
Junior Adam Murray started the game as he held onto a shutout for nearly two periods.
In the third period, head coach George Gwozdecky gave freshman goaltender Juho Olkinuora the nod to defend the net. McGill was able to score once in the third period at the 11:22 mark. Benoit Levsque beat Olkinuora on a breakaway giving the Redmen a 2-1 lead over the pioneers.
However, Olkinuora made nine saves on 10 shots, including a breakaway save in the final three minutes of regulation that kept the score tied at 2-2 in the overtime period.
“We played pretty well for our first exhibition game,” said Gwozdecky. “I thought Adam and Juno both played well in net.”
The Pioneers will be back in action as they host the United States U-18 team to close out their exhibition play. The game will be at Magness Arena on Oct. 7 at 7:37 p.m.
