(above) Rhett Rakhshani's last second heroics clinched the 13th MacNaughton Trophy for the Pioneers on Saturday night in MankatoFrom: Denver Post
by Jess Meyers
As title-clinchers go, they hardly get more dramatic than this.
University of Denver captain Rhett Rakhshani's goal with 13.3 seconds left in overtime Saturday lifted the Pioneers to a 4-3 victory over Minnesota State — a win that clinched the regular-season title in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. It was the Pioneers' 12th WCHA regular-season title, and the first since 2005.
After a faceoff in the Mavericks' zone, Denver defenseman Patrick Wiercioch got the puck to the front of the net, where, after a bounce, it ended up on Rakhshani's stick with no opponent covering.
"We did have a play on, and it did fall apart," Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky said. "We wanted Patrick to get the puck to the net right away. . . . He shoveled a backhand toward the net front, and a split second later it winds up on Rhett's stick and Rhett buries it."
The last-second drama came after the Pioneers had built, and lost, a two-goal lead in the second period. With the Mavericks playing like anything but a ninth-place team, the Pioneers had to rely heavily on goaltender Marc Cheverie, who responded with 36 saves, extending Denver's win streak to 10.
The Pioneers face Colorado College in a home-and-home series next weekend to close out the regular season. DU Fans are encouraged to wear white clothing for tne "White Out."
University of Denver captain Rhett Rakhshani's goal with 13.3 seconds left in overtime Saturday lifted the Pioneers to a 4-3 victory over Minnesota State — a win that clinched the regular-season title in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. It was the Pioneers' 12th WCHA regular-season title, and the first since 2005.
After a faceoff in the Mavericks' zone, Denver defenseman Patrick Wiercioch got the puck to the front of the net, where, after a bounce, it ended up on Rakhshani's stick with no opponent covering.
"We did have a play on, and it did fall apart," Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky said. "We wanted Patrick to get the puck to the net right away. . . . He shoveled a backhand toward the net front, and a split second later it winds up on Rhett's stick and Rhett buries it."
The last-second drama came after the Pioneers had built, and lost, a two-goal lead in the second period. With the Mavericks playing like anything but a ninth-place team, the Pioneers had to rely heavily on goaltender Marc Cheverie, who responded with 36 saves, extending Denver's win streak to 10.
The Pioneers face Colorado College in a home-and-home series next weekend to close out the regular season. DU Fans are encouraged to wear white clothing for tne "White Out."
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