The No. 4 Denver Pioneers received two goals and one assist from Tyler Ruegsegger (Lakewood, Colo.) en route to a 7-0 victory over the Minnesota State Mavericks tonight before 6,037 fans at Magness Arena. Peter Mannino (Farmington Hills, Mich.) made 28 saves to record his 11th career shutout as DU earned its fourth straight victory and a weekend sweep.
“There’s no question that we played much better and smarter tonight,” Denver head coach George Gwozdecky said. “The thing that impressed me most was that we continued to get better and better as the game went on.”
Dustin Jackson (Omaha, Neb.) scored the first of three DU goals in the opening frame when he netted his first collegiate tally at the 5:09 mark. Only 39 seconds later, Patrick Mullen (Pittsburgh, Pa.) made it a 2-0 contest when he beat Maverick netminder Dan Tormey (29 saves) on a forehand attempt.
Ruegsegger rounded out the first-period scoring on a highlight-reel goal with DU shorthanded at 13:07. The sophomore forward caught a pass from Brock Trotter (Brandon, Manitoba) at the Minnesota State blue line and put the puck between a defender’s legs before faking to his backhand and putting a forehand shot past Tormey.
Ruegsegger struck again at the 7:47 mark of the second period with a power-play goal. Chris Butler (St. Louis, Mo.) threaded a pass to Ruegsegger, who used nearly the exact same move he did in the first period to make it a 4-0 game.
Jesse Martin (Edmonton, Alberta) and Trotter added tallies at 12:59 and 14:25, respectively, to make it a 6-0 contest after two periods.
Tyler Bozak (Regina, Saskatchewan) rounded out the scoring with the third period’s lone goal.
The Pioneers outshot the Mavericks by a 36-28 margin. DU went 1-for-6 on the power play, while Minnesota State was held scoreless in four chances.
DU returns to action next weekend with a home-and-home series against Colorado College. Friday’s contest in Colorado Springs will begin at 7:37 p.m., while Saturday’s tilt at Magness Arena is scheduled for 7:07 p.m.
Notes: Tonight marked the 63rd consecutive regular-season sellout at Magness Arena...This weekend’s sweep was the Pioneers’ second consecutive and third of the season...DU last recorded a home sweep against a conference opponent on Feb. 10-11, 2006, also against Minnesota State...Ruegsegger posted his third career two-goal game...DU has held its opponents to one goal or less in each of its eight victories this season.
