LetsGoDU

Corbin's Return Has Storybook Ending

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers


(left) Ryan Dingle started his first game at wing this season and was flying all around Magness Arena

The game ended in storybook fashion.

Adding to the overtime drama of winning a crucial game at home Friday night was the fact University of Denver co-captain and Littleton native J.D. Corbin was the difference.

Corbin, who returned to the lineup after missing 30 games with leg and ankle injuries, scored 2:18 into overtime to propel the Pioneers to a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over North Dakota at Magness Arena.

Off an offensive faceoff won by DU's Mike Handza, Corbin redirected a shot from defenseman Adrian Veideman past goalie Philippe Lamoureux. Another Colorado native, junior Geoff Paukovich of Englewood, tied the game at 3-3 early in the third period, and Steamboat's Ryan Dingle and Lakewood's Tyler Ruegsegger also scored for DU in an impressive offensive showing from Colorado-bred players.

Corbin, playing in just his fifth game of the season, declined to discuss what his first goal of his senior season meant from a personal standpoint. "All I care about is the win," he said. "It's playoff time, and to get a win like that is great. It's really big for us."

The victory was DU's first when they trailed after two periods, and it snapped the Fighting Sioux's NCAA-best 11- game unbeaten streak. It also increased the Pioneers' lead from one to three points over North Dakota in the WCHA.