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University of Denver Athletics

Men's Ice Hockey

Ruegsegger's OT Heroics Push Pioneers Past Niagara

Jan. 12, 2007

Box Score

DENVER - Freshman Tyler Ruegsegger (Lakewood, Colo.) scored the game-winning goal with seven seconds left in overtime and senior goaltender Glenn Fisher (Edmonton, Alberta) made 19 saves as the No. 7 Denver Pioneers defeated No. 17 Niagara 2-1 before a sellout crowd of 6,034 at Magness Arena. DU improves to 16-7-2, while Niagara drops to 13-7-3.

"We played a good all-around hockey game tonight and score an opportunistic goal in overtime to get a big win," DU head coach George Gwozdecky said. "Niagara played a smart road game tonight. Their goaltender played well and they blocked a lot of shots, but in the end our guys got it done."

Ruegsegger ripped the game-winning power-play goal from the slot after accepting a behind-the-back pass from Brock Trotter (Brandon, Manitoba). The game-winning goal came on Denver's eighth shot in the extra session. The Pioneers outshot Niagara 54-20 in the contest to improve to 5-4 against ranked opponents this season. The Purple Eagles' Juliano Pagliero turned in an outstanding game with 52 saves.

DU held a 1-0 lead for much of the game after a goal from freshman Rhett Rakhshani (Huntington Beach, Calif.) at 15:53 of the first period.

Niagara's Ted Cook finally solved Fisher when he shoveled in a pass from Sean Bentivoglio at 10:26 of the third period.

In an overtime riddled with penalties, it was the Pioneers who received a power play with just over a minute left on the clock, setting up Ruegsegger's heroics.

Ryan Dingle (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) added two assists for the Pioneers who improved to 9-3-2 at home. DU finished 2-for-8 on the power play, while Niagara was blanked on all five man-advantage opportunities.

The Pioneers and Purple Eagles play game two of the series tomorrow night at 7:07 p.m.

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