Adam Berkhoel stopped 35 shots, while junior Kevin Ulanski scored one goal and added two assists to lead the No. 10 Denver Pioneers to a 5-2 win over Northeastern Friday night at Magness Arena.
“The only thing that we are pleased with is that we won,” head coach George Gwozdecky said. “Adam Berkhoel did a great job and stole the game for us. Northeastern played a terrific road game, but I expect we will have a much better performance tomorrow night.”
Berkhoel saved the Pioneers in a penalty-filled first period. Northeastern had numerous scoring chances and four power-play opportunities, but Berkhoel made 11 saves and allowed only two goals to keep Denver in the game. Berkhoel made 13 saves in the second period and 11 in the third period for his third straight win.
Eric Ortlip scored a power-play goal at 6:41 to give Northeastern an early 1-0 lead in the first stanza. Lukas Dora banged in a rebound off a shot from Connor James to tie the game 1-1 at 9:58, and Jeff Drummond scored a no-look backhanded goal from the low slot to give Denver a 2-1 lead at 10:57. Northeastern’s Brian Swiniarski’s goal at 15:00 tied the game at 2-2.
Jussi Halme’s goal from the high slot gave Denver the 3-2 lead at 4:36 of the second period, but Northeastern outplayed and outshot Denver 13-9 in the period.
A shorthanded goal scored by Ulanski from Matt Carle gave the Pioneers a 4-2 lead at 2:52 of the third period. Carle then scored his first career goal at 8:15 to secure the 5-2 win for the Pioneers.
The Pioneers host Northeastern in the series finale tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. MT.
