DENVER – The Denver Pioneers hockey team (7-10-1) fell 5-4 in overtime to the No. 9 Omaha Mavericks on Saturday at Magness Arena.
 
Turning Point
Kevin Conley's goal at 11:47 of the third period tied the game 4-4 and erased Denver's two-goal lead at the second intermission.   

Quotable
"It was a great first two periods, then we really got away from what gave us success. Give them credit. They pushed in the third and made us uncomfortable, but the way we lost the hockey game was not good enough. It was embarrassing." – Richard and Kitzia Goodman Head Coach David Carle
 
First Period
The Pioneers scored early and shot often. Denver had the lead 26 seconds into the game with Steven Jandric scoring his first goal of the season as he crashed the net for Jake Durflinger's centering pass. Omaha responded with Taylor Ward's shot off an offensive zone draw at 1:25. Less than 30 seconds later, Denver went on a lengthy five-minute power play from Nolan Sullivan's five-minute major and game misconduct for contact to the head. The Pioneers were unable to convert on the power play. Denver outshot the Mavericks 24-5 in the opening frame.

Second Period
Denver shots turned into goals in the second period. The Pioneers scored on three of their 21 shots in the period to erase Omaha's 2-1 lead at 1:35 and take a 4-2 lead by the second intermission. Justin Lee's fake shot opened a lane for him to tie it 2-2 at 3:25. Lee's second goal came on a similar wrist shot at 15:15. Denver expanded its lead in the final minute of the frame as Cole Guttman found Bobby Brink with a backdoor pass on an odd-man rush.

Third Period
Omaha cut the Pioneers' lead to 4-3 at 8:09 on Nate Knoepke's shot through traffic. The Mavericks tied the game three minutes later with Kevin Conley slipping into the zone and firing a wrist shot past Corbin Kaczperski. Denver took a penalty with less than two minutes left in the third, but Omaha quickly neutralized its own power play with a penalty of its own. Both minors carried into overtime.  
 
Overtime
Skating at even strength, Tyler Weiss entered the zone off the right-wing side as he took a pass at the blue line from Brock Bremer and skated in to beat Kaczperski at 1:43.

Significant Stats
-Justin Lee had his first career multi-point and multi-goal game
-Slava Demin is on a three-game point streak with one goal and three assists
 
Inside the Box Score
-Cole Guttman finished the series with one goal and three assists
-Jack Works notched an assist in his first NCAA game

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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