Box Score OMAHA, Neb. - Freshman Jason Zucker (Las Vegas) scored two goals and goaltender Sam Brittain (Calgary, Alberta) stopped 27 shots to lead No. 6 Denver to a 4-2 win tonight over No. 12 Nebraska Omaha before 11,504 fans at Qwest Center Omaha.
Drew Shore (Denver) added a goal and assist and Anthony Maiani (Shelby Township, Mich.) and Matt Donovan (Edmond, Okla.) each setup two goals for Denver. Chris Knowlton (Colorado Springs) iced the win at 17:50 of the third period.
The Pioneers improve to 20-9-5, 16-7-3 WCHA with the win. UNO falls to 20-12-2, 16-8-2. DU joins Michigan as the only NCAA Division I team to post 20 wins in each of the past 10 seasons.
"That was the effort and performance we needed tonight," DU head coach George Gwozdecky said. "Sam settled down and played well tonight and we got contributions from everyone in the lineup."
Denver lit the lamp for the first time in nine games when Zucker ripped a slap shot past John Faulkner (10 saves) at 3:58 of the opening period. Mike Young quickly answered from the left circle at 4:52 and UNO took the lead on Brent Gwidt's goal at 17:36. Drew Shore's team-leading 21st goal on the power play at 19:26 tied the score at 2-2 after the first period.
Zucker gave DU a 3-2 lead with a backhanded, highlight-reel goal one minute into the second period. Maiani and Donovan assisted on the go-ahead goal.
Knowlton fourth goal with 2:10 left in the game was assisted by Maiani and Omaha native Dustin Jackson.
Brittain settled down after a shaky start to earn his 14th win with 27 saves. DU outshot the Mavericks, 34-29, and went 1-for-3 on the power play. The Pioneers were 3-for-3 on the penalty kill. DU is 42-for-44 on the penalty kill over its last 11 games.
Denver closes out the regular season next weekend against St. Cloud State. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:37 p.m. MT at Magness Arena on Friday, March 4.
Notes: DU is second in the WCHA with 35 points and tied for fifth in the latest PairWise Rankings. The Pioneers have defeated all 10 of its WCHA opponents. Zucker extended his career-best point streak to nine games, while Drew Shore has career-high, eight-game point streak.
