MANCHESTER, N.H. – The University of Denver hockey team's season came to an end on Thursday night as the Pioneers lost 2-0 to the Cornell Big Red in the Northeast Regional Semifinals at SNHU Arena in Manchester.
 
"Congratulations to Cornell, Mike Schafer and his staff, their players for advancing and moving on," said Richard and Kitzia Goodman Hockey Head Coach David Carle. "Emotions are still rough for us and our group. We started the game, we didn't start it how we wanted to, got better as it went on, but ultimately did not find a way to crack through like we have in games. Very thankful to our players, especially our seniors for all they have given to our program, what they have added to the Pioneer legacy."
 
Cornell scored twice in the first period to take the lead and held onto it for the remainder of the contest. Both teams finished with 27 shots on goal, with DU having a 21-19 edge in the category in the final two periods of play.
 
Denver senior goaltender Magnus Chrona made 25 saves and stopped all 19 he faced in the last 40 minutes, including a penalty shot early in the third period. Cornell netminder Ian Shane recorded his fifth shutout of the season.
 
The Big Red struck just 2:49 into the contest as Jack O'Leary tallied on a backhand shot off assists from Max Andreev and Matt Stienburg. CU added another with 8:32 remaining in the opening frame, as O'Leary dug out the puck in a scramble behind the cage and Ben Berard slid it just inside the right post.
 
Each team didn't capitalize on a power play, despite both having five-minute majors in the middle frame. DU went 0-for-2 on the man advantage while CU was 0-for-3.
 
Cornell went on its major power play just 24 seconds into the second period, while Denver went on its extended man-up at 9:33 of the stanza.
 
The Big Red had a chance to extend its lead 2:24 into the third period as Nick DeSantis was slashed during a breakaway and received a penalty shot, but he couldn't convert on the ensuing opportunity.
 
DU outshot Cornell 16-10 in the third period and had a 27-15 edge in total shot attempts in the frame.
 
Denver was making its 32nd appearance and had reached the national tournament in each of the last 14 full seasons.
 
 
POSTGAME NOTES

• Denver is now 7-6-0 all-time vs. Cornell and is 2-3 against the Big Red in the national tournament.
• DU was playing Cornell for the first time since Dec. 5-6, 2014 in Ithaca, New York. It was the teams' first postseason meeting since the 1986 national quarterfinals.
• The Pioneers lost just its third game of the season when allowing two or fewer goals, with two coming in their last two contests (25-3-0).
• DU dropped to 0-2 all-time in tournament games in New Hampshire.

 
 
GOAL SUMMARY
1st Period
2:49 CU (0-1) – Jack O'Leary knocked in a loose puck with a backhand shot in front of the net.
11:28 CU (0-2) – Ben Berard tucked the puck inside the post following a scramble behind the cage.
 
2nd Period
No Scoring
 
3rd Period
No Scoring
2:24 CU (0-2) – PS, Nick DeSantis had a penalty shot attempt but was denied by a right kick save by Magnus Chrona.
 
 
QUOTABLES
Richard and Kitzia Goodman Head Coach David Carle
On difficulty of Cornell: "They get in your way, they're physical, they defend the inside of the dots well, they block a lot of shots, and their goaltender was there when things did breakdown. We were able to generate better looks in the second and third."
 
On legacy of the upperclassmen: "They have added a lot to Denver hockey. Winning championships is not easy, and our group last year found a way to do that, all these players who are graduating were a part of that. They'll walk together forever as champions with last year's group. When we recruit student-athletes to Denver, we talk a lot about playing in this tournament, playing in big moments, getting to Frozen Fours and hanging banners. We fell short of that goal this season, but those seniors were a part of that group a year ago. Adding to the legacy and tradition that is Denver hockey is not an easy thing to do, but they're one of a group of nine that have done that."
 
Sophomore forward Carter Mazur
On breaking down Cornell: "They're a good team. They pressured us well and we couldn't really adjust to that until the second period. They were just a physical team and it felt like we started to match that in the second and third. their goalie also stood on his head and played a good game so all respect to them. I felt like we let go in a way at the end, but I feel like we have a lot more to show in the coming years.
 
On playing two tough weekends in a row: "I would say we're still playing our game, so it's just the way it goes sometimes. We ran into two hot goaltenders at the time so that's another reason, but we still need to find ways to put the puck in the back of the net and we didn't do that.
 
 
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