MANKATO, Minn. - Senior Chris Knowlton (Colorado Springs, Colo.) provided the game-winner with 3:12 remaining in the game as the University of Denver hockey team defeated the Minnesota State Mavericks 3-2 on Saturday evening from the Verizon Wireless Center in front of 3,499 fans.

The win gives the Pioneers the sweep, their first road sweep of the season and first since the Pioneers swept Nebraska Omaha (March 2-3, 2012). Denver is now 7-1-0 on the season, 5-1-0 in Western Collegiate Hockey Association play. The Mavericks fall to 3-5-2, 1-5-0 in the WCHA.

"It was one of those games that we knew was going to be a real tough test for us," said head coach George Gwozdecky. "We weren't able to generate a lot of offense, a lot of it because we were in the penalty box more than we were playing even strength. I'm really proud of the way this team played. They played hard and battled like crazy. Some people would say that it wasn't a very pretty game, but it was a game where we had to just keep fighting."

Knowlton finished the night with two goals, while sophomore Daniel Doremus (Aspen, Colo.) finished with one goal. Junior Nick Shore (Denver, Colo.) finished the night with two assists, while sophomore Ty Loney (Valencia, Pa.) and freshman Gabe Levin (Marine del Rey, Calif.) both added an assist each.

Sophomore goalie Juho Olkinuora (Helsinki, Finland) finished the night with 30 saves, allowing two goals and improving to 2-0-0 on the season.

"Olkinuora was very strong in goal, very consistent for us tonight," Gwozdecky said. "Probably one of the unsung heroes, aside from Chris Knowlton who scored two goals, was Gabe Levin who had an outstanding game. It was one of those night for Ty that he would want to have back, as he spent more time in the penalty box than he did on the ice. We decided to make a change and even thought Gabe went in cold, he made some great plays in the offensive zone to give us an opportunity and help us win the game."

Knowlton got the Pioneers on the board first just 1:14 into the game. The play began with beautiful combination play from Shore and Loney down the ice. Shore slid a feed through the crease for an easy tap-in goal by Knowlton, his fourth goal of the season.

Denver got on the board again a little more than seven minutes later as Doremus picked the pocket of a Mavericks defender just inside the circle, slicing a shot past the defenseless keeper.

MSU got on the board with 4:53 left in the period off a goal by Eriah Hayes. With less than a minute remaining in the period, the Mavericks were threatening again. Making arguably one of the best plays of the first period, sophomore Josiah Didier (Littleton, Colo.) made a diving save to clear a loose puck in front of the net off a rebound off an Olkinuora save attempt, sealing the 2-1 lead for Denver heading into the locker room.

Neither team could come away with a goal in the second period. The Pioneers' best chance came in the minute and a half of play as junior David Makowski's (Wildwood, Mo.) two shots within seconds of one-another was blocked and then saved. The Mavericks had three power play opportunities in the second period and were unable to convert as Olkinuora and the Pioneers defense thwarted nine Maverick attempts.

Action was tight to start the third period and just 2:42 into play MSU tied the game as Josh Nelson scored. The puck didn't find the back of the net for the rest of the period until 3:18 left in the game as Knowlton received a great feed just at the top of the circle from Levin who was working his way through the Mavericks defense.

The Mavericks held the advantage in shots 32-23 and were able to capitalize on two-of-nine power-play opportunities. Denver had two power-play chances and was unable to score.

Up next, Denver travels to Colorado Springs, Colo., to take on the Colorado College Tigers on Friday at 7:37 p.m. from World Arena. Saturday's game will be played at Magness Arena at 7:07 p.m.

Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 17 of DU's NCAA Division I sports.

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