DU 1 Vermont 1 Final OT

(above) "DU Sucks" shirts were spied in Gutterson Fieldhouse on Saturday night. Not to worry, just a couple of Colorado College grads from the East Coast who couldn't land jobs in NYC after graduating from CC

The University of Denver hockey team came away with a hard earned 1-1 tie on Saturday evening. Coupled with the 5-3 victory on Friday night, the weekend was a tremendous success for a young Pioneer team searching for an identity.

DU rolled into Vermont with many questions and left with a clearer picture of their potential and destiny. Certainly goaltending was mentioned first and foremost in the offseason, and after the first weekend Adam Murray and Sam Brittain performed brilliantly in a hostile arena.

DU's "young guns" on offense showed poise and grit against a physically bruising Vermont team. DU's blueliners proved that they could protect the goaltenders and showed offensive flair when needed. Finally Drew Shore emerged as a future star that can produce in crucial-must win games.

Kyle Ostrow left the game midway through the 1st period after receiving a big hit at the blue line. He sustained a cut on his chin, was stitched up and returned for the 2nd period. Drew Shore's younger brother Nick injured his wrist on Friday night. He tried to play on Saturday but wasn't comfortable in warm-ups and was scratched from the lineup.

At 3:06 of the 2nd period Drew Shore gave DU the lead on a goal that was assisted by Jason Zucker. That was Shore's 3rd goal of the weekend and Zucker's first point as a Pioneer.

At 18:06 of the 2nd period Lawson tied the game for UVM on goal that was assisted by Nillson and Brickley.

That was all the scoring as neither team could get another goal in the 3rd period or overtime. A loud rancorous crowd greeted the Pioneers each night and DU answered every challenge the Catamounts offered.
Three Stars
First Star: Rob Madore (Vermont)
Second Star: Sam Brittain (Denver)
Third Star: Dan Lawson (Vermont)

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good job by Sam B. tonight. Atleast a "T" is not an L. Sure sounded to me like the Refs were homers. Hold on tight y'all - the road gets bumpier for the next month!

Puck swami said...

Excellent performance for the Pios this weekend. This team is further along in goatending DZone coverage and transition than I expected. Work is needed in neutral Zone and rebound control.

Anonymous said...

Hahahaha great caption on our picture, guys. Most CC grads end up in Denver anyway...

Anonymous said...

Hahahah that caption is priceless. Absolutely hilarious.

Amy said...

Good opening weekend for DU. Both Britain and Murray were solid in net, D. Shore and Donovan had great weekends, and K. Ostrow wasn't severely hurt.