The Pioneers traveled to Duluth, Minn. over the weekend to take on no. 7 University of Minnesota-Duluth in their first conference series of the season. The game ended in a draw on Friday, and the Pioneers lost on Saturday, leaving Denver sitting at 8-1-1.
On Friday night, Denver got off to a strong start, with a goal from senior forward Liam Finlay (Kelowna, B.C.) less than four minutes into the game. Denver was unable to capitalize on a power play after a penalty from UMD’s Tanner Laderoute, but found their way back to the net with freshman forward Brett Edwards (Grande Prairie, Alberta) burying the rebound from sophomore forward Tyler Ward’s (Kamloops, B.C.) wrist shot at 11:45 in the first period, in what was Edwards’ first NCAA goal. The Bulldogs responded a few minutes later with a goal from Cole Koepke to make it 2-1 Denver at the end of the first period.
In the second period, the Bulldog offense placed heavy pressure on freshman goaltender Magnus Chrona (Stockholm, Sweden), who had ten saves in the period, but were unable to get back on the scoreboard. Sophomore forward Hank Crone (Dallas, Texas) dished an assist to Finlay to add to Denver’s lead at 15:45.
UMD found their fire in the third period, scoring on a power play at 11:35, and again thirty-one seconds prior to the end of regulation to send the game into overtime. In the extra period, UMD outshot Denver 8-5, but neither team was able to get on the scoreboard, ending the game in a tie. The game entered into the NCHC shootout, where Finlay was able to score and give the Pioneers an extra point in the NCHC standings.
On Saturday, Denver committed two penalties to start the game, coming from Edwards and sophomore forward Cole Guttman (Los Angeles, Calif.), both for roughing. UMD, although unable to capitalize on Denver’s errors, got on the scoreboard first with a goal from Jackson Cates on a power play at 7:37. Denver was able to respond with on a power play of their own with a goal from sophomore forward Brett Stapley (Campbell River, B.C.) at 15:19.
Denver took their only lead of the game just under two and a half minutes into the second period, with a goal from junior forward Jaakko Heikkinen (Helinski, Finland). The Bulldogs responded by adding two even-strength goals in the period, and held on to a 3-2 lead going into the final period.
In the final period, UMD’s Noah Cates snuck a shot past Chrona at 16:26, and Koepke scored an empty-netter at 2:45 to secure a 5-2 victory for the Bulldogs, handing the Pioneers their first loss of the season.
Denver will return home to play conference rival North Dakota at Magness Arena on Nov. 15 and 16.
