Magnificent Mannino

North Dakota defenseman Ryan Duncan (6) shows the kids in Magness Arena how to run the goalie during the second period of the Pioneers' 1-0 win over the Fighting Sioux on Friday night. ( Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press )

From: Denver Post
by Mike Chambers

Magnificent Mannino.

Behind sensational goaltending from senior Peter Mannino, the No. 3-ranked University of Denver turned back No. 8 North Dakota and hundreds of Fighting Sioux fans Friday night in Game 1 of the teams' two-game showdown at Magness Arena.

Mannino made 27 saves — his best coming with 26.3 seconds to go — in the Pioneers' 1-0 victory before a raucous crowd of 6,034.

"I felt good, but the guys played well, blocking shots and clearing them, and it was fun to feed off the other goaltender that's playing so well," Mannino said.

The Sioux's Jean-Philippe Lamoureux (28 saves) was almost as good, helping turn a physical game between two high-scoring teams into a classic goaltending battle with fans gasping at every close call.

The goal came from freshman center Tyler Bozak on the power play. He redirected a Chris Butler shot past Lamoureux 4:39 into the second period for his seventh goal, tying Tyler Ruegsegger for the team lead.

Bozak took the offensive faceoff, kicked the puck back to the junior defenseman and skated to the top of the crease. Butler unleashed a quick wrist shot and Bozak got enough stick on the puck to send it above Lamoureux's left shoulder.

"It was awesome," Bozak said of his goal and the intense atmosphere of the affair. "Back in midget, our team visited their arena (in Grand Forks, N.D.) and everyone was so high on them, saying they're the best. I'm not taking anything away from them. They're a great team, and it was great to feel the rivalry against them."

Mannino's third shutout of the season was his 12th career, tying him with Adam Berkhoel (2000-04) for second in program history, and one shy of the record held by Gerry Powers (1966-69).

Mannino's best save was his last. Sioux center Chris VandeVelde had a shot squirm through Mannino's legs, but the goalie dived back to smother the puck on the goal line with 26.3 seconds remaining. Officials backed up the save with video replay, and soon thereafter DU improved to 10-3, 7-2 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

"I knew it was somewhere beside or underneath me, and I just put my arms out to keep it out," Mannino said. "It was a reaction."

The Sioux, picked to win the WCHA by league coaches, fell to 6-5-1, 4-5.

"It's rare that you're going to see two high-potent offenses only able to create one goal," DU coach George Gwozdecky said. "Both teams played pretty well defensively, but I thought the difference was the goaltending, both ways.

"I thought Lamoureux was great at his end, and Peter obviously was great when he had to be at our end."

DU is 10-0 when allowing one goal or fewer, and 8-3 against ranked teams. Thirty-six of the Pioneers' 39 goals have been scored by freshmen or sophomores.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just FYI that is Duncan in the picture and it is after he got checked from behind into mannino.

MagnessMan said...

Do I hear Sioux tears?

I think DU looked fairly good last night. Sioux fore check is tough. DU had trouble getting into offensive zone especially in the third.

My biggest concern with this team (which we've all been pleasently surprise by) is the PP--13% is not going to win the WCHA or make the frozen four. Five PP's last night with just six total shots.

MagnessMan said...

Bozak not only got the lone goal but also won 21 face-offs. I think we'll see more deflection and screen attempts tonight. These tw0 goalies are incredible hard to beat them cleanly.

Boosh said...

What part of the Sioux do you get high on? Does one get date-raped while high on the Sioux? Does being high on Sioux have any medical benefits? What states is it illegal in?

Twister said...

Bozak is the real deal. Great win on Friday night!

MeanEgirl said...

Looks like Duncan is about ready sneeze.