Box Score DENVER – The No. 1 Denver Pioneers (8-0-0, NCHC 0-0-0-0) honored more than 170 alumni in attendance for 70
th Anniversary Weekend with a 4-0 win against the Niagara Purple Eagles to complete the sweep and remain unbeaten on Saturday in Magness Arena.
Jake Durlfligner's second-period goal stood as the game-winner as
Michael Corson made 16 saves for a shutout in his first career start.
Brett Stapley's shorthanded insurance goal at 10:40 of the third sealed the victory as the Pioneers dominated for the second straight night, outshooting the Purple Eagles 47-16.
"We missed some good looks, but I like how we stuck with it most of the night," Richard and Kitzia Goodman Head Coach
David Carle said. "We felt like if we kept going, we were going to be able to break through. The second goal was a big one in the third period for us to get a little bit of breathing room."
Denver broke the stalemate at 2:51 of the second as
Kohen Olischefski's shot from the left-wing boards yielded a rebound for Durflinger, who was breaking to the net. Niagara had a pair of chances to tie the game later in the frame, but failed to convert on their best opportunity with a shot on the power-play that trickled through Corson's legs before being swept into the corner.
Denver's top line of
Emilio Pettersen,
Cole Guttman and
Bobby Brink created prime scoring chances for the Pioneers in each period though Chad Veltri's play in net kept the Purple Eagles within a goal until midway through the third period. Forechecking on the penalty kill,
Tyson McLellan helped spring a puck to Stapley, who fired a wrist shot over the blocker of Veltri and just under the crossbar.
Tyler Ward and
Hank Crone added empty-netters in the waning minutes.
Denver debuted their 70
th Anniversary jerseys and honored more than 170 alumni in attendance for 70
th Anniversary Weekend with an on-ice ceremony at the first intermission. Alumni from each decade were honored with National Championship trophies in tow as the Pioneers remained at their bench in salute.
"It was great for our guys to see the depth of the history of this program," Carle said.
…
Denver went 0/4 on the power play and 5/5 on the penalty kill…
Tyson McLellan extended his point streak to four games with an assist…
UP NEXT: Denver men's hockey presented by Centura Health will begin conference play on the road against Minnesota Duluth on Nov. 8-9.
2019-20 SEASON TICKETS: Season tickets for the 2019-20 season can be purchased here. Check out the complete 2019-20 schedule here.
SHOP PIONEERS: Get dressed for Game Day! Get your Pioneers gear at ShopPioneers.com, the official online store of University of Denver Athletics.
PIONEER MOVEMENT: Fans interested in making a donation to the men's hockey program can do so by clicking here. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you in advance for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.
-OUR JOURNEY, OUR TIME-
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