The weekend of Oct. 31 through Nov. 1 featured a Homecoming showdown between the Denver Pioneers and the Boston College Eagles. After a tough loss in game one on Oct. 31 in Magness Arena, the Pioneers were determined to take home a win.
In the beginning of the first half, sophomore Trevor Moore had one of the first scoring opportunities but was blocked by BC goalie, Thatcher Demko. Eight minutes into the game, the first penalty was called on DU sophomore Will Butcher, which gave BC a one-man advantage. 30 seconds later, an interference penalty was called on BC’s Ryan Fitzgerald. This put the game into an intense 4-on-4 situation.
Denver freshman Danton Heinen smashed a slap shot at Demko, but he reached out his right leg to block the shot. After the first 4-on-4 situation, another 4-on-4 was called after penalties on both teams. Pioneer sophomore Emil Romig went one on one with goalie Demko, but missed top left. After the first period, DU led the shots-on-goal count with 12 to BC’s nine. The teams were even on power plays, each having three.
21 seconds into the second period, Heinen scored the first goal of the game with the assist from Moore and senior forward Daniel Doremus.
In the second period, DU suffered many power plays, with the first being a cross checking penalty. The remaining penalties were charging on Pioneer senior Ty Loney, roughing on senior Larkin Jacobson and interference on Butcher.
BC was able to score in the 12 minute of the second period, tying the game.
DU’s first and only power play of the second period came when BC’s Brendan Silk was called for hooking. This penalty was called with 1:30 remaining in the period, carrying the remaining 30 seconds into the third period. At the close of the second period, both teams were even in terms of shots-on-goal, but BC was leading in face-offs, 30 to 27.
At the beginning of the third period, DU went into another power play after a tripping penalty on BC. DU was unable to score on this power play.
The Pioneers had their eighth penalty of the game when sophomore Matt VanVoohris was called for interference in the tenth minute of the third period.
With two minutes remaining in regulation play, Pioneer sophomore Matt Marcinew had a scoring opportunity for Denver, but the shot was knocked away from the crowded net. After the third period, the score was tied at one and the game was sent in to a five minute overtime period.
With 54 seconds remaining in overtime, Heinen scored his second goal of the game with assists coming from Doremus and senior Josiah Didier. This was Heinen’s third goal of the season and he was also was named player of the game for his stellar performance and two goals.
“I was really proud of our student-athletes that fought hard and played with emotion all weekend long. Some were even playing through sickness. It was gut-check time and our players showed the emotion that they have inside that locker room,” head coach Jim Montgomery said.
The Pioneers will face the Western Michigan University Broncos on Nov. 7 and 8 in Magness Arena.
