MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – Forward Hagen Burrows was among the members of the Denver Pioneers hockey team's freshman class from a season ago that was looking to make a larger impact this year.
 
He's done just that through the first two weekends of play.
 
The sophomore owns two goals and three assists through four contests and is on a career-long, three-game point streak after recording multiple points in both Friday and Saturday's games at the Lindenwood Lions. During his rookie campaign in 2024-25, Burrows registered just nine points (one goal and eight assists) in 39 outings.
 
"Going into the year, I wanted to take a step for our team and help a little more than last year," Burrows said following Saturday's game. "[I'm] playing with some guys who also want to take a step and right now we're confident, we're attacking, and we're playing off each other really well. So it's good jam right now."
 
The Orono, Minnesota, native has already doubled his goal total from his freshman campaign as he scored twice on Friday while also firing a personal-best six shots in a 4-3 loss. His only marker as a rookie came late in the year on March 15 in Game 2 of the NCHC Quarterfinals against Colorado College.
 
Burrows registered his second straight and fourth career multi-point outing on Saturday with two assists in DU's 4-0 victory to earn a series split.
 
"Got to give credit to my linemates, Samu [Salminen] and [Jake] Fisher," Burrows said. "I thought we worked well off each other, generated chances, getting to the paint when we can. Overall, I thought our line had a good weekend, and it's good to build some chemistry moving forward."
 
The 2024 Minnesota Mr. Hockey has focused on winning more puck battles in Year 2, which has helped him set up his teammates for goals. He has also finished his own scoring chances as well.
 
Burrows tallied on a 2-on-1 in Friday's second period before burying a one-timer in the final minute of regulation to cut the team's deficit to one. On Saturday, he had the primary assists on both Fisher and Salminen's goals off the rush.
 
"I think for me it's been a lot about putting on strength and being able to compete in the corners with some older guys," Burrows noted of his offseason plan. "Also just keeping the puck on my stick more, getting my head up, make more plays and so far it's going well."
 
Burrows and his linemates of Fisher and Salminen have made up one of DU's most consistent lines through the early season, and each player is on their own respective three-game point streak. They will continue to be counted on to produce as veterans of a squad that has nearly half of its forward group as freshmen (7-of-15).
 
FRESHMEN SHINE
 
Despite losing the series opener at Lindenwood, the play of Denver's freshmen wasn't one of the reasons.
 
"The second they got on campus I think we as a returning group knew they were a good class," Burrows said. "They have a bunch of speed, a bunch of skill. They're smart players, and right now they're stepping in and making plays and playing big minutes for us."
 
The Pioneers' 10 newcomers appear to be getting acquainted quickly to their new surroundings and have made impact. Clarke Caswell scored and added an assist on the weekend and is on a season-opening four-game point streak, while Brady Milburn recorded assists in each contest and Kyle Chyzowski picked up his first NCAA point (assist). Additionally, goaltender Quentin Miller earned his first career win and shutout on Saturday night.
 
Brendan McMorrow suited up for the first time in the two-game series after missing all of training camp and the start of the season last week with an upper-body injury. While he didn't find the scoresheet, he fired five shots on goal and was a factor on the ice in the eyes of Richard and Kitzia Goodman Hockey Head Coach David Carle.
 
His play alongside linemates Kieran Cebrian and Reid Varkonyi on Friday warranted that group to be promoted up the line chart and see more ice time on Saturday.
 
"They were our best line last night from an analytical perspective, effort perspective, chance generation. Those three guys when they were together, a lot of good things happened," Carle said after Saturday's game." So I loved how they started each period for us, and certainly the start of the game, setting the tone for the intensity and the energy that is required. You can tell Brendan's offensive timing continues to grow in his second game. Those guys were starting to find a little bit of chemistry."
 
MORE NOTABLES

• Denver is now 15-2-1 in its last 18 non-conference games dating back to the start of last season.
• Quentin Miller is the first Denver goaltender to post a shutout in his first career victory since Freddie Halyk on Oct. 28, 2023 against Air Force (24 saves).  Matt Davis also posted a clean sheet in his first win on Oct. 16, 2021 versus Air Force (25 saves)
• Clarke Caswell tallied his first career game-winning goal on Saturday and is on a season-opening four-game point streak (2g/3a).
• Caswell recorded his first career game-winning goal.
• Hagen Burrows (2g/3a), Jake Fisher (2g/2a) and Brady Milburn (0g/3a) are all on career-long three-game point streaks. Samu Salminen (2g/1a) is also on a three-game run (2g/1a).
• Goaltender Paxton Geisel started on Friday after recording a shutout on Oct. 11 against Bentley. It was the first time in his career that he's played consecutive game
• Geisel had his career-long shutout streak of 96:32 end in the second period. The clean sheet stretched across three games dating back to Feb. 3, 2024 vs. Western Michigan.
• Kyle Chyzowski recorded his first NCAA point with an assist on Sam Harris' goal.
• Hagen Burrows' second goal on Friday came with an extra attacker on the ice, Denver's first such goal of the season. The Pioneers had four pulled-goalie goals in 2024-25.
• Eric Pohlkamp had his four-game points streak dating back to the NCAA Regional Final vs. Boston College on March 30 end on Friday (4g/2a).
• DU's 19 shots on goal in the first period on Saturday were its most in an opening frame this season.
• The Pios only allowed four shots on goal in the second period, a season-best for a single stanza.
• Denver's goal 1:17 into the game was its fastest to start a contest this season and the fastest since Jack Devine tallied 16 seconds after the opening faceoff on the March 9, 2024 at Colorado College.  Last season's fastest tally to start a game was 1:29 by Boston Buckberger on March 21 vs. Arizona State in the NCHC Frozen Faceoff Semifinals.
• Denver remained perfect on the penalty kill this season, as the team has nullified all 11 opponent power-play opportunities.

 
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