DENVER University of Alaska Anchorage freshman Curtis Leinweber scored the game-winner with 17.5 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Seawolves (9-11-4, 6-10-4 WCHA) a 3-2 comeback victory over the No. 7/8 University of Denver Pioneers (16-8-3, 12-6-2 WCHA) tonight in front of 5,424 fans at Magness Arena.

 

Leinweber found himself all alone in front of the DU goal and beat netminder Marc Cheverie (Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia) with a backhand to give the Seawolves the win.

 

“I have to give a ton of credit to the Seawolves. I thought they had a little bit of a sluggish start, but they hung in there,” Denver head coach George Gwozdecky said. “Starting in the second period we had a lot of power-play opportunities, but we broke out of our rhythms and patterns. That’s when the whole tide of the game started to change.”

 

The Pioneers jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first period on goals from Brian Gifford (Moorhead, Minn.) and J.P. Testwuide (Vail, Colo.) that came 1:07 apart. Gifford converted a backhander on a wraparound attempt at 7:42, while Testwuide scored on a blast from the point that got through cleanly and beat UAA netminder Bryce Christianson (30 saves) at 8:49.

 

Alaska Anchorage defenseman Trevor Hunt scored the lone goal of the middle frame his second goal in as many games to cut Denver’s lead in half heading into the final frame. The marker came at 10:43 on an attempt from the right point.

 

With his team trailing 2-1, UAA defenseman Mat Robinson tied the game on a short-handed goal with 2:27 left in regulation. Robinson beat Cheverie (16 saves) by depositing a cross-ice feed from Paul Crowder to set up the extra session.

 

Next up for the Pioneers is a Feb. 6-7 weekend series at Minnesota Duluth.

 

Notes: The Pioneers had won their last nine contests against the Seawolves prior to tonight’s loss ...DU now holds a 37-14-5 all-time record against UAA...The Pioneers outshot the Seawolves, 32-19...UAA finished 1-of-5 on the power play, while DU was held scoreless in nine chances...The Pioneers continue to occupy the top spot in the WCHA standings with 26 points, followed by the University of North Dakota (25 points)...Gifford’s goal was his first since Nov. 21 vs. Minnesota...UAA’s Kevin Clark earned a five-minute major and game misconduct for roughing Denver defenseman Chris Nutini (Centennial, Colo.) with 2:07 remaining in the second period...Nutini hit the end boards hard on the play and did not return.