DENVER – The No. 1 Denver Pioneers (7-0-0, NCHC 0-0-0-0) scored six goals for the second straight game as they defeated the Niagara Purple Eagles (0-5-0, Atlantic Hockey 0-0-0-0) 6-2 on Friday at Magness Arena.
Denver's power play was a catalyst for the fourth consecutive game. With three power-play goals in the second period, the Pioneers turned a one-goal deficit into a three-goal lead by the third period. Kohen Olischefksi scored twice in the win, while
Brett Stapley and
Ian Mitchell each had three assists.
"Obviously we capitalized with three power-play goals, but we were much better five-on-five," Richard and Kitzia Goodman Head Coach
David Carle said. "We drew the penalties because of our puck pressure and our speed. It was nice to see us draw some penalties, then capitalize."
After surrendering their lead from Olischefski's goal at 2:32 of the first, the Pioneers responded from a 2-1 first-period deficit to tie the game at 4:11 of the second with
Tyson McLellan's deflection on
Slava Demin's shot. The game broke open 10 minutes later with Denver scoring three goals in 2:02.
Only six seconds into the Pioneers' fourth power play of the game,
Emilio Pettersen found
Cole Guttman's stick at the net off a faceoff play to make it 3-2. Less than one minute later, Stapley carried the puck into the offensive zone before slipping a pass to the front of the net for
Tyler Ward's first goal of the season.
Bobby Brink capped the onslaught with a one-timer on the power play to make it 5-2 after 40 minutes.
Denver extended its lead at 5:46 of the third with Stapley setting up another goal, twice baiting a poke check before finding Olischefski alone on the back door.
"We got contributions from three different lines and both power play units got a goal," Carle said. "Our depth was showcased."
The Pioneers' control of the game never wavered after McLellan's goal. Denver outshot Niagara 48-16, allowing only three shots in the third period to aid
Magnus Chrona in his 14-save win.
…
Denver went 3/8 on the power play and 4/4 on the penalty kill… Mitchell is on a seven-game point streak with three goals and seven assists…Pettersen is on a five-game point streak with one goal and six assists…
UP NEXT: Denver men's hockey presented by Centura Health closes its series with Niagara and completes its 70th Anniversary Weekend on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7:00 p.m. in Magness Arena.
2019-20 SEASON TICKETS: Season tickets for the 2019-20 season can be purchased here. Check out the complete 2019-20 schedule here.
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