Omaha, Neb. – The No. 4 Denver Pioneers hockey team (0-1-0, 0-1-0-0) squandered back-to-back power-play goals in the third period to fall to the No. 3 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (2-0-0, 2-0-0-0) 2-1 in their season opener on Wednesday in Baxter Arena.  

Turning Point
Penalties in the third were the difference. The Pioneers stayed out of the box for 40 minutes before taking three penalties in the third and putting Minnesota Duluth on back-to-back power plays starting at 12:10 of the frame. Minnesota Duluth proceeded to score on a Too Many Men penalty at 13:04 and McKade Webster's tripping penalty at 13:52.

Quotable
"I liked a lot of parts of our game, particularly in the first two periods. In the third we got away from some of the things that made us successful particularly in the second. They're a good hockey team and they made us pay on the power play" - Richard and Kitzia Goodman Head Coach David Carle 
 
"It was great to be back out there playing again. I thought we were well prepared coming in. I thought we played really well in the first 40 minutes and just a couple bad mistakes in the third cost us" - Kohen Olischefski

First Period
Denver started well with the Pioneers generating a few opportunities off the rush and establishing a physical presence with Justin Lee and Connor Caponi leading the charge in that department. The fairly even first ended square at 0-0.

Second Period
Denver dominated the second outshooting Minnesota Duluth 18-1 and scoring the first goal of the night at 4:00 when Carter Savoie deflected Bo Hanson's shot from the point past Ryan Fanti. The Pioneers carried a 1-0 lead into the second intermission.
 
Third Period
Minnesota Duluth saw a cracked door and broke it wide open. After failing to score on their first power play at 3:56 of the third, the Bulldogs scored twice in 48 seconds on their second and third chances to take the lead. The first goal was a rebound to the slot, while the second kicked out to the right circle for Kobe Roth. 

Significant Stats
-Savoie's deflection marked his first NCAA goal in his first NCAA game
-Magnus Chrona made 18 saves
 
Inside the Box Score
-Grad transfer Steven Jandric had four shots in his Pioneer debut to lead the team with Hank Crone
-Savoie had three shots in his NCAA debut
 
VIRTUAL SEASON TICKET: Activate exclusive virtual benefits for the 2020-21 season! Denver Athletics & Recreation is committed to making the best out of an unprecedented situation and, if we are not able to be together in person at Magness Arena, then we will do our very best to bring Denver Hockey to you! When you opt-in to be a Virtual Season Ticket Holder you gain access to exclusive season-long benefits including:

• 5280 TOGETHER limited-edition commemorative poster
• Access to individual home game tickets based upon availability and guidelines set forth by the NCAA, DU, and local and state health officials
• Exclusive invitation to the weekly coaches "chalk talk"
• Complimentary NCHC.TV & Pioneer Vision subscriptions
• Official tailgate package delivered to your home

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES: For the latest University of Denver updates on the coronavirus, click here.

DONATE: Fans interested in making a donation to the Pioneers Athletic Fund can do so by clicking here. Your gift will transform the lives of our student-athletes by giving them the first-class resources needed to excel in the classroom, in the classroom and beyond. Thank you for Building Pioneers for Life!
 
-5280 TOGETHER- 
Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 17 of DU's NCAA Division I sports
Like Denver Pioneers and Denver Hockey on Facebook
Follow @DU_Pioneers and @DU_Hockey on Twitter
Follow @DenverPioneers and @DU_Hockey on Instagram