Omaha, Neb. – Freshman Carter Savoie's game-winning goal with 2:02 remaining helped the No. 9 Denver Pioneers hockey team (1-3-0, 1-3-0-0) upset No. 1 North Dakota 3-2 on Tuesday at Baxter Arena.

Turning Point
Carter Savoie's goal with 2:02 remaining broke 18:23 of a 2-2 tie to give the Pioneers their first win of the 2020-21 season and the Fighting Hawks their first loss. The goal marked Savoie's fifth in four games.

Quotable
"(North Dakota is) a lot of fun to play. I think we make them better. I know they make us better. It's heated on the ice, the battle level is high, the pace is high, but there's a high-level of respect. It was a fun hockey game. Truthfully, I'm excited we get to play them four more times because you learn so much about your group and you get better. I think it's a great showcase of college hockey when we're going at it." – Richard and Kitzia Goodman Head Coach David Carle

First Period
It took seven minutes and a Denver power play for the game to find an identity. After a cautious opening stanza, Antti Tuomisto sprung a shot off the end boards to McKade Webster for his first career goal to make it 1-0 at 12:37 of the first. One minute later, skating at even strength, Brett Edwards' forecheck forced Judd Caulfield from the red line to behind the North Dakota net where Edwards finally stripped the puck and fed Kohen Olischefski who was left unattended streaking toward the net. North Dakota cut Denver's lead to 2-1 at 14:21 with Jordan Kawaguchi's one-timer on the Fighting Hawks' first power play of the game. 

Second Period
Denver's offensive chances gave way to North Dakota's in a fast-paced second period. The Pioneers started the period with the better offensive opportunities, but Adam Scheel kept the Fighting Hawks in the game until power plays started tipping the ice in their favor. North Dakota peppered Magnus Chrona on an unsuccessful man advantage with 6:35 left in the period, then converted on Ryan Barrow's interference penalty taken with 37 seconds left in the frame. Collin Adams cleaned up the rebound goal to tie the game 2-2 only 25 seconds before the intermission.

Third Period
The deadlock led to a stingy third period with only 12 shots between the teams compared to 17 in the first period and 26 in the second. Denver had an opportunity to tie the game when former Pioneer Brendan Budy was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for boarding, though the five-minute power play lost its steam when McKade Webtser took a tripping penalty in the middle of the man advantage. The game-winner came at 17:58 when Savoie took a pass from Cole Guttman upon entering the zone and beat Adam Scheel to the glove side from the left circle.
 
Significant Stats
- Webster scored his first career goal
-Tuomisto recorded his first career assist on Webster's goal
-Savoie is on a four-game point and goal streak with five goals and one assist
-Eight Pioneers recorded points
 
Inside the Box Score
-Denver scored on its first power play of the game for the third straight game
-Savoie became the first freshman in DU history to score in his first four games. George Morrison did it in his first year in 1968, though Morrison was a sophomore as 1970-71 was the first season freshmen were allowed to play at Denver

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

 
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