The No. 9 University of Denver Pioneers (8-5-1, 5-4-1 WCHA) scored a season-high four goals in the first period en route to a 6-1 victory over Colgate University (4-5-2, 1-3-2 ECAC) tonight before 5,002 fans at Magness Arena.

 

“We were optimistic and played well in the first period, but after that we weren’t as sharp,” Denver head coach George Gwozdecky said. “There were times late in the game where we got a little reckless. Overall, it was an important win for us.”

 

Tyler Ruegsegger (Lakewood Colo.) notched a pair of power-play goals in the first period, striking for the first time at 2:21 on a wrist shot. After Colgate’s David McIntyre evened the game at 4:47, Ruegsegger answered back with a second tally 1:06 later, beating Colgate goaltender Charles Long (11 saves).

 

“I think it was important that we got the first goal,” said Ruegsegger. “Obviously, we knew Colgate was a good team. But it was more about ourselves tonight, coming off a good win against Minnesota.”

 

Kyle Ostrow (Calgary, Alberta) made it a 3-1 contest at 8:41 after depositing a nice feed from Joe Colborne (Calgary, Alberta), while defenseman Patrick Wiercioch (Maple Ridge, British Columbia) gave the Pioneers a three-goal cushion at 15:51 on a point shot just after a Colgate penalty had expired.

 

Patrick Mullen (Pittsburgh, Pa.) scored the lone goal of the second period, redirecting a Cody Brookwell (Calgary, Alberta) shot past Colgate netminder Alex Evin 4:11 into the frame. Evin had replaced Long after DU’s fourth goal and finished with 22 stops in just over two periods of work.

 

Luke Salazar (Thornton, Colo.) rounded out the scoring with a goal at 16:22 of the third period, with assists going to Wiercioch and John Ryder (Colorado Springs, Colo.).

 

DU outshot Colgate by a 39-30 margin and went 2-for-4 on the power play. The Raiders were held scoreless in their one power-play attempt.

 

The Pioneers will finish off the weekend by hosting No. 11 Air Force Academy tomorrow at Magness Arena, with puck drop set for 7:07 p.m. Air Force (13-0-0) topped Colorado College by a 4-1 count tonight at Cadet Ice Arena.

 

“Now we have to get ready for the big match-up tomorrow night,” said Gwozdecky. “This might be the first time ever that we’ve been the underdog in this game.”

 

Notes: Senior captain J.P. Testwuide (Vail, Colo.) missed tonight’s game after receiving a five-minute major and game disqualification for cross-checking last Saturday against Minnesota... Lars Paulgaard (Vettre, Norway) replaced Cheverie in the DU goal for the final 5:17 of the game, but did not see an official shot on goal...The Pioneers are now 4-1 all-time against the Raiders...DU is 6-1-0 this season when scoring first...Denver is averaging 4.75 goals-per-game in its eight wins and 2.00 goals-per-game in its five losses and one tie...The Raiders came into tonight’s game ranked 11th nationally in scoring defense, allowing only 1.90 goals-per-game.