Carolyn Angiollo
Staff Writer
This past weekend featured a double-header with two of the best college hockey teams in the Colorado: DU and Colorado College (CC). The first game of the series was on Feb. 20 in Colorado Springs at the World Arena, which holds 8,000 in a sell-out crowd.
The puck dropped at 7:35 p.m, and the CC Tigers won the opening faceoff. DU would go on to have multiple scoring opportunities, but the first goal of the game would not be scored until the final three minutes of the first period by CC’s Peter Stoykewych with an assist from Sam Rothstein.
The Tigers’ lead would only last a measly 45 seconds. Pioneer freshman Danton Heinen (Langley, British Columbia) received a pass from junior Nolan Zajac (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and he fired it past the CC goaltender, ending the first period in a tie.
CC won the opening faceoff of the second period as well, and within three minutes, they were granted a power play when DU’s Matty Marcinew (Calgary, Alberta) was called for cross-checking. CC’s next goal came shortly afterward. The Tigers would score two more goals within the period from Cody Bradley and Scott Wamsganz.
With 7:45 left in the period, Daniel Doremus (Aspen, Colorado) added a point for the Pioneers. This marked Doremus’s 8th goal of the season. Zac Larazza (Scottsdale, Arizona) added another point for the Pios when scored for Denver during the second period. The goal came on a breakaway that left Larazza facing two CC defensemen and he snuck the puck past Marble.
The Pioneers led 3-2 until CC’s Christian Heil tied up the score. 30 seconds later, Heinen scored his second goal of the game to send the Pioneers to the game’s second intermission with a 4-3 lead.
The Pioneers came out with a bang in the third period when senior Larkin Jacobson (Sioux City, Iowa) scored on a CC power play. Doremus would score his second goal of the game shortly after. The assist came from Danton Heinen, giving him his fifth (two goals and one assist) point of the night.
Five minutes remained in the game, with DU ahead by three goals, CC fans started to abandon ship and walk out early. The Tigers would score once more before the game ended. With 1:20 left, Peter Maric sent one past DU freshman goalie Tanner Jaillet (Red Deer, Alberta) immediately after winning a goal-side face-off. Maric’s goal would prove to be fairly fruitless, as the Tigers would lose to the Pioneers 6-4.
Braiden Albrecht-Reed
Senior Reporter
Despite the blizzard outside, DU and Colorado College (CC) were able to write another chapter in their historic rivalry on Feb. 21. It was the second game of the weekend between the two teams. However, the Gold Pan Trophy had already been won by the Pioneers. The intensity was still present, as DU looked to better position themselves in the national polls and secure a 4-0 season record against the rivals from Colorado Springs.
Three seniors would score goals to put the Pioneers in great position through two periods. Gritty Phoenix Coyotes prospect Zac Larraza (Scottsdale, Arizona) opened the goal scoring in the first period on a rebound from a Joey LaLeggia (Burnaby, British Columbia) wrist shot. Another senior, hulking defenseman Josiah Didier (Littleton, Colorado), scored the third goal of his career. Collecting his second point of the night and ninth in five games, LaLeggia would snipe the puck past the CC goalie, tilting the ice 3-1 in favor of DU heading into the final frame.
Uncharacteristically, DU freshman goalie Tanner Jaillet (Red Deer, Alberta) allowed two quick goals in the first two minutes of the third period. Despite the quick turnaround, the Pioneers were able to calm the play down and level out the momentum over the next few minutes.
With the game still tied late in the third, the upperclassmen once again stepped up. Seniors Larkin Jacobson (Sioux City, Iowa) and Larraza delivered back to back goals with five and three minutes left in the game, respectively, to boost the Pioneers to victory. For Jacobson, it was his fourth goal of the season, as well as his fourth game winner. Sophomore Trevor Moore (Thousand Oaks, California) would ice the contest with a late empty net goal, clinching the 6-3 win and the season sweep of cross-state rival matches against CC.
DU thoroughly dominated the Tigers this year, en route to a 4-0 record and a staggering 23-8 cumulative goal differential. The Pioneers improved to 18-10-2 on the year, while CC fell to 5-23-1. Although college hockey recruiting can yield high differentials in talent from year to year, the Tigers have not experienced such a down season in quite some time.
On the flip side, DU has seen its team progress in head coach Jim Montgomery’s second season.
The team soared to no. 6 in the national PairWise rankings, up from no. 9 the week before. The consistent play of the seniors, along with the surprise play from goalie Jaillet, will seek to carry the Pioneers deep into the postseason.
Miami (OH) visits Magness Arena next weekend, Feb. 27 and 28.
