Denver Hockey opened their season on Saturday, Oct. 4, with an exhibition matchup versus University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). After a disappointing shootout loss to them last season, the Crimson and Gold came out looking for revenge.
The first period got off to a slow start but ten minutes into play, Colorado local freshman forward Payton Nelson opened the scoring off of a shot from the top of the right circle.
Just two minutes later, junior defensemen Eric Pohlkamp whacked a shot from the blue line where junior forward Sam Harris was able to finish it off, his first of many for the night. Harris got his second of the night, four minutes later, off of a pass from junior defensemen Boston Buckberger which took Denver into the first intermission up 3-0.
The Rebels found the back of the net eight minutes into the second period but it was challenged and overturned for offsides, allowing Denver to keep their three score lead. To complete the first natural hat trick for the Crimson and Gold since 2023, Harris found the back of the net again 9:46 into the second period after a big hit in front of the benches.
The shutout did not last for much longer as the Rebel’s Jaxsen Wyatt scored on the power play off a loose puck in front of the net, leading Denver into the second intermission with a 4-1 lead.
UNLV started racking up penalties in the third period, benefiting junior defensemen Cale Ashcroft who scored two on the power play. Just over halfway through, at 11:08, freshman forward Reid Varlonyi found Ashcroft from across the ice.
Six minutes later, freshman defensemen Eric Jamieson found Ashcroft to solidify the Crimson and Gold’s win at 6-1.
All three of Denver’s goalies found ice time on Saturday. Freshman Quentin Miller played through the first period and stopped all six shots he faced. Freshman Johnny Hicks stopped five of six shots throughout the second period. Veteran goalie junior Paxton Geisel also stopped all six of the shots he faced in the final frame.
The Crimson and Gold start the regular season at Air Force on Friday, Oct. 10 and return home Saturday, Oct. 11 to face Bentley for their official home opener.
