The Pioneers split their road series with Minnesota this past weekend, winning 2-1 on Friday and dropping Saturday’s game 7-3.

It was the first time in seven games that Minnesota beat the Pioneers.

No. 4 Denver was without their captain Kyle Ostrow, who missed his first two games of his career after undergoing vascular surgery of the lower abdomen. He is expected to return to the lineup March 4-5 against St. Cloud State.

In the first game, the Pioneers were led by freshman goaltender Sam Brittain, who tied a career high with 36 saves.

After a scoreless first period, the Golden Gophers got on the scoreboard halfway through the second period. DU’s Drew Shore answered two minutes later to tie the game.

In the third period, the Pioneers went ahead when Jason Zucker slipped a backhander past Minnesota goaltender Kent Patterson four minutes into the period. Zucker added to his WCHA lead of 18 goals and 28 points.

“He [Patterson] played great all night. I was really surprised that that went in,” said Zucker. “I didn’t really know how it went in.”

Ostrow’s absence was evident in the second game.

Brittain, who started both games, was pulled during the second period as the Pioneers were trying to find a spark to get back into the game as they were trailing 4-0.

Goaltender Adam Murray was quickly tested when Minnesota forward Mike Hoeffel scored 12 minutes into the second period. The Golden Gophers had a 6-0 lead after the second period.

The Pioneers came alive, scoring three goals in the third period, but the Minnesota lead was just too great.

DU struggled on the power play finishing the game 1-for-5 with the man advantage while the Golden Gophers went 2-for-3.

Up next, the Pioneers take on a Michigan Tech team that is 1-19 in league play and last in the WCHA standings.The series is this weekend at Magness Arena.