Sophomore Glenn Fisher stopped 23 shots and Brock Trotter, Zach Blom and Patrick Mullen netted their first career goals as the back-to-back NCAA Champion Denver Pioneers turned back Air Force, 4-2, tonight at Cadet Ice Arena. Ryan Dingle’s goal at 9:22 of the third period was the game-winner as DU gained its first victory of the season and improved to 1-2 overall. The victory was DU’s 18th consecutive against the Falcons, who fall to 1-4.
“Glenn Fisher played an outstanding game for us tonight,” head coach George Gwozdecky said. “We played well enough to win, but Glenn keyed the victory with his play in net. Air Force is a tough team to play, so we’re happy with the win.”
DU tallied two goals in a span of 3:37 in the third period to secure victory. Dingle scored off a shot by Paul Stastny at 9:22 and Mullen lit the lamp at 12:59 to give DU a 4-1 lead. Air Force’s Jay Medenwaldt scored at 17:51 to make the final score 4-2.
Fisher spearheaded important penalty kills in the second and third period to key the win. He kept DU’s 1-0 lead in check midway through the second period when he made three aggressive saves on an Air Force power play. Fisher and his teammates then held off a 5-on-3 Air Force advantage in the third period to keep the score 2-1.
Trotter’s first career goal came on a beautiful one-timer from fellow freshman Chris Butler at 18:52 of the first period. The power-play score gave DU a 1-0 lead after the first 20 minutes.
Blom’s rocket from the top of the left circle made it 2-0 Pioneers at 8:44 of the second stanza. His first career goal was assisted by Andrew Thomas and Stastny. Blake Turnquist put Air Force on the scoreboard at 16:51 when he took advantage of an odd bounce off the end wall and out-battled Fisher for a loose puck in the crease. DU won the shot battle in the period, 9-8, and held the one-goal leading heading to the third period.
Blom added an assist for his first career multi-point game. Stastny added two assists as DU ended its two-game losing streak. Air Force outshot DU, 25-23, but recorded an 0-of-7 effort on the power play. Peter Foster made 19 saves and saw his record fall to 0-3. DU finished 1-of-8 with the man advantage.
The Pioneers host Notre Dame in non-conference action tomorrow night at Magness Arena. Puck is set to drop at 7:07 p.m.
