After an 0-2 start and news of forward Dylan Gambrell being out of the lineup for several weeks, the Denver Pioneers faced No. 2 Boston University and received a boost from their third line in a 4-3 win. Evan Janssen scored two goals while linemates Tyson McLellan and Logan O’Connor added three more points on assists to lead the Pioneers to a 4-1 second-period lead that stood up for the first win of the season for Denver.
“They were special tonight,” noted Denver coach Jim Montgomery. “We needed five-on-five goals and they delivered. They played with speed, skill, and most importantly they played smart.”
The visiting Terriers came out with a speed game at the drop of the puck and brought the game to Denver early on. Two early penalties gave the home team some power-play opportunities which helped change momentum, but put nothing on the scoreboard. The third BU penalty finally provided the breakthrough goal, as Matt Marcinew tipped a shot by Will Butcher past the blocker of netminder Jake Oettinger for a 1-0 lead.
Troy Terry gave the Pioneers a 2-0 lead, beating Oettinger from the high slot five-hole, and then third line began their magic. Janssen scored his first of the night just 42 seconds after Terry’s goal on a beautiful cross ice feed from O’Connor that extended the lead to 3-0.
Following a BU power-play goal, Janssen got the goal back with a little help from his linemates. O’Connor fed a streaking McLellan through the slot, who found Janssen breaking down the wing for a beautiful goal just under the cross bar on the short side. The lead was 4-1 after two periods and that was enough to hold off the persistent Terriers ,who closed the score to 4-3 with two third-period goals.
“We would like to score more on the power play,” said Montgomery. “I thought we got some good chances and the first power play changed momentum for us. I thought BU was the better team early and the first power play swung things our way. We needed some offense at even strength and the third line really delivered tonight.”
NCHC results
Western Michigan 4, at Bowling Green 4
Colt Conrad and Wade Allison scored just 36 seconds apart midway through the third period to rally Western Michigan from a 4-2 deficit to the 4-4 tie. The Falcons scored twice in the opening four minutes of the game, but saw the Broncos send the game to overtime, where neither team could break the deadlock.
Massachusetts-Lowell 8, at Colorado College 5
A seven-goal first period saw the visiting River Hawks take a 4-3 lead, which they expanded on in the final 40 minutes on their way to an 8-5 win over the host Tigers. Ryan Dmowski and John Edwardh each scored a pair of goals, while 14 players tallied a point in the road win.
Minnesota State 4, St. Cloud State 1
Four different players scored, including CJ Franklin and Brad McClure, who had two-point nights as Minnesota State downed the Huskies 4-1. Cole Huggins made 23 saves in the win, including 12 in the third period, to thwart any hopes for a St. Cloud rally.
Omaha 3, at Alaska-Anchorage 1
Ryan Jones and Tristan Keck scored in the first period, while teammate Austin Ortega scored on a power-play in the third to earn Omaha a 3-1 win in Anchorage. Kris Oldham made 23 saves in the season-opening win for Dean Blais’ team.
Minnesota-Duluth 4, Notre Dame 3
A goal-filled first period that ended in a 3-3 tie turned into a much tighter defensive game as the Bulldogs limited Notre Dame to just 12 shots over the final two periods. Adam Johnson scored twice for UMD, including the game-winner just over six minutes into the second period.
