Grand Forks, N.D. – The Denver Pioneers hockey team scored three goals in the third period to defeat the Omaha Mavericks 5-4 and advance to the NCHC Frozen Faceoff semifinal on Saturday, March 13 at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Turning Point
Mike Benning scored back-to-back goals in the third period to take Denver from a 3-2 deficit to 4-3 lead with 8:08 left in regulation.
 
First Period
Hank Crone's goal at 8:25 of the period was a perfect representation of Denver's start to the game. Jaakko Heikkinen chipped the puck off the boards from the defensive zone and sent Crone off to the races. Crone looked off Kyle Mayhew as an option on the two-on-one rush before ripping a wrist shot off both posts and in. Speed in transition was a killer for the Mavericks. Two goals on five shots were a killer for the Pioneers. Omaha scored on only its second shot of the game at 14:51 with Jason Smallidge's shot from the point through traffic, then added another 58 seconds later with Matt Miller's snap shot from the left circle. Denver's deficit belied its 15-5 shot advantage through 20 minutes.  

Second Period
Five-on-five hockey was at a premium. The teams combined for 34 penalty minutes with both taking a five-minute major and game misconduct for contact to the head. Despite that, and despite Denver dropping to 15 skaters with Antti Tuomisto' ejection at 5:17 for contact to the head, the Pioneers outshot the Mavericks 15-5 for the second straight period. That was part due to overlapping penalties that required Denver to kill only 2:10 of Tuomisto's major. Omaha made it 3-1 with Tyler Weiss' backdoor goal at 14:47, but Bobby Brink made good on the Pioneers' last power play of the period with a one-timer to make it 3-2 at the intermission.

Third Period
Denver tied the game 42 seconds into the period with Benning jumping down on a rebound from Cole Guttman's shot and burying a one-timer over the glove of Isaiah Saville. Ten minutes later, his shot from the point on the power play put the Pioneers in front for the first time since late in the first period. Omaha's push featured 18 shots in the final period to eclipse their previous mark of 10 shots through the first 40 minutes. Nate Knoepke eventually tied it for the Mavericks scoring on a loose puck amid a net-front scramble at 13:10. The game-winner came less than two minutes later with Bo Hanson positioning himself in front of the net and batting the rebound from Connor Caponi's shot past Saville. Hanson was skating as a forward for the first time in his college career. The goal marked his first for the Crimson & Gold.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Denver dropped to 15 skaters at 5:17 of the second period

Significant Stats
-Magnus Chrona made 24 saves, 17 coming in the third period
-Mike Benning (2-0-2), Hank Crone (1-1-2) and Cole Guttman (0-2-2) had multi-point games
-Denver outshot Omaha, 38-28

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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