This past weekend, DU hockey welcomed Michigan State University for a Homecoming battle at Magness Arena. On Oct. 16 and 17, the student section was filled to the brim and the seats were full of alumni, family and friends. DU would win the series 2-0 against the MSU Spartans.

Oct. 16’s game was very fast moving from the get-go. MSU junior JT Stenglein scored the first goal of the game when Denver freshman Blake Hillman (Elk River, Minnesota) tried to block the shot, but it snuck past junior goaltender Evan Cowley (Evergreen, Colorado).

The Pioneers were able to tie the game before the end of the first period when MSU senior goaltender Jake Hildebrand blocked a shot from freshman Dylan Gambrell (Bonney Lake, Washington), but Denver junior Emil Romig (Vienna, Austria) was there to smash the puck in.

The second period was quiet and no goals were scored. The third period, however, began with a goal from MSU senior Matt DeBlouw, his first of the season.

DU then answered powerfully when junior Matt VanVoohris (Edina, Minnesota) received an assist from freshman Logan O’Connor (Calgary, Alberta). The remainder of the game was strongly dominated by the Pioneers. Senior Gabe Levin (Marina del Rey, California) brought the Pioneers’ total to three after an assist from senior defenseman Nolan Zajac (Winnipeg, Manitoba). The desperate Spartans pulled their goalie in a last-ditch effort to tie the game and O’Connor scored his first DU goal on the empty net.

Oct. 17’s game also went very well for the Pioneers, despite the game being more hard-hitting. There were many penalties throughout the game for rough hits and unsportsmanlike conduct, making the night a very physical contest.

Sophomore Tanner Jaillet (Red Deer, Alberta) was in goal for the Pioneers. DU got off to a great start when junior Matt Marcinew (Calgary, Alberta) scored the first goal of the game on an assist from Hillman.

During the first intermission, the players walked onto the ice with their parents and family members in honor of Homecoming and Family Weekend.

The second period resumed with a very rough hit on DU junior Will Butcher (Sun Prairie, Wisconsin). He was checked and thrown over the Spartan bench, yet no penalty was called, even though the hit was inappropriate.

Later in the game, Marcinew scored his second goal of the game on an assist from freshman Jarid Lukosevicius (Squamish, British Columbia). Lukosevicius wasn’t done for the night as he scored the final goal for the Pioneers in the third period after Hildebrand deflected senior captain Grant Arnold’s (Centennial, Colorado) attempt.

The Pioneers completely dominated the game with 41 shots on goal to MSU’s 16.

Denver will face rival Colorado College at home on Nov. 6 at 7:36 p.m.