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With 13 minutes left to play in the third period of Saturday’s contest against Wisconsin, the men’s hockey team faced a challenge—overcoming a 2-0 deficit.
Seconds later, senior captain Kyle Ostrow netted his first goal in the game, bringing the Pioneers back to life. With a little more than four minutes remaining, Ostrow finished off a nice possession with an assist from fellow senior Anthony Maiani.
The Pioneers (2-2-2) were able to hold onto tie the game 2-2, finishing their Western Collegiate Hockey Association opening series with three points (1-0-1) after a 4-2 in Friday night’s match.
“We talked in the locker room at the second intermission and I challenged our senior forwards,” said head coach George Gwozdecky. “I thought they played OK and were capable of so much more; and they certainly responded.”
The Pioneer line, featuring Ostrow, Maiani and senior Jesse Martin, was on the ice both times Denver scored and proved to be the difference maker.
After the first two periods, DU had outshot Wisconsin 27-15.
“Continually finishing off around the net, in terms of scoring, is our biggest challenge right now,” said Gwzozdecky.
Going into the weekend the Pioneers had connected on just eight of 98 shots, making only eight percent of their shots. Against the Badgers, the team struggled once again, scoring only twice on 38 shots on Saturday night.
“I don’t think our scoring percentage is that good,” said Gwozdecky.
No. 12 Denver was able to score their first power-play goal in Magness Arena on Friday night’s win. However, the Pioneers continued to struggle, going 1-11 throughout the weekend.
The final power play of the weekend occurred under two minutes to go in the second period of Saturday’s game.
The Pioneers used a line spearheaded by freshmen Jason Zucker and Beau Bennett.
“The line with Zucker, (Drew) Shore and Bennett had some tremendous shots,” said Gwozdecky. “Our final power play of the weekend was our best power play this season. We didn’t score, but we created momentum with it.”
With enough early shots on the Badger defense, the Pioneers finally broke through in the third period.
“Best overall performance of this year,” said Gwozdecky. “After a three-point weekend, the guys realize what they are capable of then when they dig deep and I think they dug deep tonight.”
Fighting Sioux await
WCHA play gets tougher for DU as they travel to Grand Forks, N.D., to take on No. 8 ranked North Dakota Fighting Sioux.
The Pioneers practiced yesterday and will hold practice today and tomorrow in Magness Arena.
DU departs Thursday morning and will get one practice in North Dakota before Friday’s game, which begins at 6:37 p.m. MST.
“We’ll get off the plane and practically step on the ice,” said Gwozdecky. “So Thursday’s practice won’t be as thorough as we would have if we were playing at home.”
As the team prepares for its second WCHA series, freshman Sam Brittain will most likely be asked to start both games as sophomore Adam Murray is nursing a groin injury.
Brittain started both contests against Wisconsin, limiting the Badgers to two goals in each match.
“Sam relishes the opportunity to play in both games,” said Gwozdecky. “He held us within two (versus Wisconsin), knowing that if he did we could get the momentum on our side.”
As for naming a permanent starter in net, Gwozdecky said he is not making up his mind just yet as Murray has to recover from his injury in order for the staff to evaluate each goaltender.
“I would have to say his status is questionable,” said Gwozdecky.
Despite being swept last weekend against No. 6 Maine, UND is still a top WCHA opponent.
Last season, the Pioneers swept the Fighting Sioux in their four regular season matchups. However, UND played defeated DU 4-3 in the semifinals of the WCHA Final Five, the first of two losses that ended the Pioneers 2009-2010 season.
