St. Cloud State erased an early setback and scored twice in the third period to defeat the No. 9 University of Denver 4-2 on Jan. 23, 2026 at Magness Arena in a physical, hard fought matchup between NCHC opponents.
The Crimson and Gold opened the night with energy as the packed student section welcomed their team to the ice. St. Cloud won the opening faceoff, but Denver nearly took the lead after junior defenseman Eric Pohlkamp’s shot rang off the post and the sharp metallic sound echoed through the arena.
Denver capitalized moments later when junior defenseman Cale Ashcrot scored eight minutes into the first period, firing a shot past St. Cloud goaltender Yan Shostak at even strength. Sophomore defenseman Tory Pitner and freshman forward Kristian Epperson earned assists on the goal, giving Denver the 1-0 lead.
The period grew increasingly tense and physical play escalated. Senior forward Samu Salminen was given a five minute major for boarding in the first period. The penalty was initially ruled as two minute minor before officials changed the call following a review. Denver successfully defended the major penalty and carried their 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
Denver doubled its early lead in the second period as Epperson scored early into the net, finishing a play that began with a pass threaded through traffic from freshman defensemen Eric Jamieson on an even strength goal, giving Denver a 2-0 lead.
The Huskies responded halfway through the period, after DU’s freshman goaltender Quentin Miller made four consecutive saves during a scramble in front of the net. St. Cloud finally broke the scramble when Tyson Gross scored, cutting the lead to 2-1.
St. Cloud tied the game at the end of the second period when Verner Miettinen slipped behind the defense and tapped in a pass that slid right across Miller’s crease. The game was tied 2-2 going into the second intermission.
The Huskies carried that momentum into the third period, taking the lead less than two minutes into the game. Gavyn Thoreson scored at even strength giving the Huskies the lead 3-2.
Denver pushed for a tying goal but struggled to generate momentum through the rest of the game. St. Cloud’s defense held strong, with Shostak stopping multiple shots, while physical play and hard hits kept the period tense.
With time nearing an end, Denver pulled Miller for an extra attacker with less than two minutes in the third, as a last attempt to tie the game. The strategy backfired when Austin Burnevik scored an empty net goal, sealing the 4-2 victory for the Huskies.
Despite the loss, Denver responded the following night with a strong effort, shutting out St. Cloud State 6-0.
Pohlkamp scored twice, while junior defenseman Boston Buckberger, senior forward Rieger Lorenz, freshman forward Kyle Chyzowski and freshman forward Payton Nelson each scored a goal.
Freshman goaltender Johnny Hicks recorded a perfect 22 save performance to earn Denver the shutout.
The DU hockey team will compete again at Magness Arena against No. 7 Minnesota Duluth in their next game on Jan. 30 and Jan. 31.
