DENVER – The No. 12 University of Denver hockey team won 4-3 against the Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday night at Magness Arena to sweep its season-opening series in the 2021-22 campaign.
 
Sophomore defenseman Mike Benning scored the game-winning marker at 7:24 of the third period as the Pioneers battled back from one-goal deficits twice in the contest. After Brett Stapley's shot from the left point was blocked, it redirected right to Benning, who scored top-shelf for his first career game-winner.
 
Junior Bobby Brink tied the outing at 3-3 with 20 seconds left in the second period as sophomore Carter Savoie cleanly won a faceoff to him in the low slot, and Brink potted his second marker of the season while all alone in front. ASU had taken a 3-2 lead less than two minutes earlier on a power-play goal by Josh Doan.
 
Freshman forward Massimo Rizzo tallied Denver's first two goals, bringing his season total to three, while fellow rookie Jack Devine chipped in three assists in his second career collegiate outing. Devine had helpers on each of Rizzo's two markers and also had a secondary assist on Benning's game-winner.
 
Goaltender Magnus Chrona made 14 saves as DU outshot ASU 41-17 in the contest.
 
Each of the Sun Devils' three goals came on the power play, as Arizona State went 3-for-7 on the night. The Pioneers were scoreless on their seven man-advantage opportunities.
 
Next up for Denver is a home-and-home series against the U.S. Air Force Academy. The Pioneers will play at Cadet Ice Arena on Friday at 6 p.m. MT before the Falcons visit Magness on Saturday in a 7 p.m. MT puck drop.
 
POSTGAME NOTES

• Denver swept a series for the first time since defeating Miami on Jan. 24-25, 2020. It was the Pioneers' first home sweep since downing St. Cloud State on Jan. 10-11, 2020.
• DU improved to 4-1-1 in the all-time series against Arizona State, including an undefeated 4-0-0 mark at home. The teams meet again on Dec. 3-4 in Tempe.
• Mike Benning's goal was his first game-winner of his career
• DU outshot ASU 96-42 over the two games, recording over 40 shots in each contest. The Pioneers held the Sun Devils to just seven combined shots in the final 40 minutes.
• Owen Ozar made his collegiate debut while Reid Irwin skated in his first game of the season.
• Massimo Rizzo now has multi-point outings in each of his first two NCAA contests.
• Bobby Brink had a team-high seven shots, while Shai Buium recorded six shots.

 
GOAL SUMMARY
 
1st Period
7:25 DU (1-0) – Massimo Rizzo scored off a quick feed from McKade Webster following a stretch pass up the ice by Jack Devine
13:34 ASU (1-1) – PPG, Jackson Niedermayer tied the game during a major penalty.
18:00 ASU (1-2) – Denver native Matthew Kopperud gave the Sun Devils their first lead of the game
 
2nd Period
5:09 DU (2-2) – After a quick feed to Sean Behrens, Massimo Rizzo received a return pass in the slot and scored top shelf.
17:19 ASU (2-3) – Josh Doan tallied from the top of the right circle
19:40 DU (3-3) – Carter Savoie won a faceoff right to Bobby Brink, who was all alone in front and scored to knot the game at 3-all.
 
3rd Period
7:27 (4-3) – After Brett Stapley's shot was blocked at the left circle, Mike Benning picked up the rebound in the slot and scored from the low slot.
 
TICKETS: Single-game tickets for the 2021-22 campaign are on sale now and can be purchased here.
 
CORONAVIRUS UPDATES: Masks are required at all indoor athletic events. For the latest University of Denver updates on the coronavirus, click here.

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