The University of Denver hockey team started their season strong with two games at Alaska Anchorage last weekend. They won both, 6-2 and 4-1 respectively.
In the first game, Denver had an early opportunity from a power play that started in the fifth minute. Seconds later, Denver junior forward Aidan Thompson scored off a pass from sophomore defenseman Zeev Buium and was also assisted by senior forward Jack Devine.
Later in the period, Alaska got their first power play and quickly turned it into a goal by sophomore forward Aiden Westin in the 13th minute.
Denver hit right back with another power play goal, this time from sophomore forward Sam Harris, who found the net on a loose puck in the 16th minute.
Denver ramped it up in the second period, scoring three unanswered goals. The first was from junior forward Jared Wright in the fifth minute of the period, assisted by junior forward Rieger Lorenz and sophomore forward Kieran Cebrian.
They then went on to score another two goals from power plays from Thompson and Harris in the 11th and 15th minute of the period, making the score 5-1 heading into the third period.
Denver extended their lead in the fifth minute of the third period. Freshman forward Jake Fisher scored his first collegiate goal from a wrist shot. He was assisted by Lorenz and sophomore defenseman Boston Buckberger.
Alaska sophomore defenseman Joey Potter got one back in the last minute of play to finish the game 6-2 in favor of Denver.
Denver finished the game with four assists, highlighting their solid team play early in the season. The good team play showed from the defensive end as well, conceding just twice despite having a worse save percentage than Alaska.
They also scored four goals from a total of nine power plays, which is their most power play goals in a game since Dec. 4, 2021. Last season they had just 39 with a 22% conversion rate.
The next day was a similar story, with Denver winning 4-1. They started the scoring in the eighth minute when freshman forward James Reeder netted his first collegiate goal.
Denver received another power play after Alaska’s Porter Schachle charged the goalkeeper. Senior forward and captain Carter King scored in the second minute of the second period.
Denver’s third goal came in the 11th minute of the second period from junior forward Samu Salminen and their fourth came from Thompson with his third goal of the season in the 10th minute of the third period.
Alaska freshman forward Dimitry Kebreau later scored a consolation goal in the 19th minute, making the final score 4-1.
After winning the Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player along with the National Championship last season, Denver senior goaltender Matt Davis started this campaign facing 37 shots across the two games. Davis saved 34 and conceded three.
Denver’s next games will be their home opener against Northeastern on Oct. 18 and Oct. 19 in Magness Arena.
