DENVER — The University of Denver Pioneers took on the rival Omaha Mavericks on Friday night in a NCHC showdown. The Pioneers, having come off a split weekend against Arizona State University, were looking to get their footing back. Denver would have a statement period in the second, scoring five unanswered goals on their way to a 8–4 victory.
The basics
Score: Denver 8, Omaha 4
Location: Denver
Records: Denver (8–2–1), Omaha (5–3–1)
How it happened
— Less than six minutes into the game, Omaha dealt the opening punch on Freddie Halyk. Ray Fust would receive the pass from Joaquim Lemay in the slot and snap it high glove side to make it 1–0.
— Only a minute later, Tristan Broz would storm down the middle of the ice and drop it for Colorado Avalanche prospect Sean Behrens. He would nail a one-timer to tie up the game.
— Ty Mueller barreled down the slot around Cale Ashcroft and backhanded it over the shoulder of Halyk to restore the Omaha lead.
— While on a five-minute power play, Denver cycled the puck and Zeev Buium snapped it in from the blue line to tie it at 2–2.
— Shai Buium nailed a nasty one-timer from the right face-off circle with the help of brother Zeev to put the Pioneers ahead 3–2.
— Almost seven minutes into the second, Carter King would gain possession in the offensive zone and toss the puck to Rieger Lorenz in front of the net. Lorenz whipped a sweet backhand shot in for the two-goal lead.
— With 8:30 left in the second, captain Webster MacKade followed a shot down the middle by Massimo Rizzo to put Denver ahead by three.
— The last goal in the second was scored by Miko Matikka, as he received a pass from King and then sent it bar down to put the Pios up by four.
— Early in the third, Omaha’s Brock Bremer would be set up in front of the net to whip it past Halyk and close the gap to 6–3.
— During 4-on-4 play in the third period, Rizzo would steal an over-skated puck and take off, leading to a breakaway. Boston Buckberger would get the shot on net to allow for a redirect by Lorenz for a 7–3 Denver lead.
— Just over halfway through the third, Matt Miller planted himself in front of the net and redirected the shot in on the glove side of Freddie Halyk to trim the margin to 7–4.
— Buckberger ran the puck behind the net with under three minutes left to find Connor Caponi in front and the perfect pass for Denver’s eighth and final goal of the night.
DU leaders
Goals: Lorenz (2), Behrens (1), Webster (1), Z. Buium (1), S. Buium (1), Matikka (1), Caponi (1)
Assists: Z. Buium (2), Buckberger (2), Rizzo (2), King (2), Broz (2), Behrens (1), S. Buium (1), Matikka (1), Thompson (1), Wright (1)
Up next
Denver will finish the two-game set against Omaha tonight at Magness in Denver.
Highlights
Sean Behrens' (COL) goal from earlier while the https://t.co/zlsagJ34N1 stream was down and out pic.twitter.com/IyIWtEVyIg
— Ryan Sikes (@ryan_sikes10) November 18, 2023
Rieger Lorenz with a sweet backhand shot right in front to take a two goal lead in the 2nd #GoPios @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/wJLYZ3JLkx
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) November 18, 2023
An overskated puck leads to a breakaway by Massimo Rizzo and then a redirect by Rieger Lorenz. Pios up 7-3 #GoPios @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/qV2sy8mTii
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) November 18, 2023
Boston Buckberger takes it down low to feed Connor Caponi right in front of the net for the Pios' 8th goal of the night. #GoPios @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/8ZXzQWXtWQ
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) November 18, 2023