(above) Boone & this future Pioneer hockey player were featured on the Fox broadcast last nightThe University of Denver rolled to a 5-2 victory over the University of Alaska-Anchorage in Magness Arena on Saturday night.
UAA jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but a three goal explosion late in the first period sealed the game. Jarrod "Never Nervous" Mermis scored his first career goal from a beautiful pass from Beau Bennett to open the scoring. Two minutes later Anthony Maiani scored a shorthanded goal that seemed to break the back of the Seawolves. 23 seconds later Beau Bennett added a highlight reel goal.
Kyle Ostrow scored early in the second period, that capped a stunning four goals in under five minute explosion. Jason Zucker nailed the coffin shut with a third period tally.
DU stands all alone in first place the WCHA.
UAA jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but a three goal explosion late in the first period sealed the game. Jarrod "Never Nervous" Mermis scored his first career goal from a beautiful pass from Beau Bennett to open the scoring. Two minutes later Anthony Maiani scored a shorthanded goal that seemed to break the back of the Seawolves. 23 seconds later Beau Bennett added a highlight reel goal.
Kyle Ostrow scored early in the second period, that capped a stunning four goals in under five minute explosion. Jason Zucker nailed the coffin shut with a third period tally.
DU stands all alone in first place the WCHA.
26 comments:
Some great individual finishing around the net by DU and some terrific goaltending by to get the sweep. but still a lot of room for improving the teamwork and work ethic for the stretch drive.
Bennett's goal and Zucker's goal were really magnificent.
Kind of a strange game. We played like hell for the first 15 minutes--couldn't penetrate the O zone for nothing. I think we had two shots up until that point. Then like PS said the moves to the net were very impressive. I think this team will play in the tourney but not make it to the FF. Coach talked about how they get bored and disinterested. They have done that from the very beginning of the season. Unless they can keep their heads in the game for the full 6o minutes there is no way they can when the whole deal.
--Magness
All I can say is... way to take care of business tonight.
Now to focus on Colorado College and get a little payback for that last game. Lets remind them that they are the gimp.
Excellent sweep of Sarah Palin University. Makes me haz a happy while I sip on $$$ liquor.
DU's third line was a joy to watch. Mermis (5'8 155 lbs) gets the opportunity because of the Knowlton injury and buries the puck. Nick Shore is amazing, a big guy with great passing ability who can bang in the corners. Beau-Bennett.com has the "Wow Factor".
Once again, Boone was AWOL. Where is Boone?
Donovan"s defense needs work.i watched him all game.
donovan had 3+ penalties... he practically lived in the box
Boone should have been there. Need full effort from everyone.
Typical Donovan night. I did notice he didn't play much in the 3rd Period. I think the coach had enough
Would love to see YouTubes of the goals by Bennett and Zucker last night.
Awesome skills on display.
Additionally, I loved the sweep celebration on the ice last night with the guys holding their sticks over their heads and bouncing up and down. Mermis said they were imitating the (cheesy goal) celebrations in the NHL'94 video game...
The team is coming together...
DU is in a three way tie for 2nd in the Pairwise with North Dakota & Minnesota-Duluth.
Bye week comes at a good time IMO. Team might have been a little overconfident heading into a series next weekend.
Obviously Knowlton, Zucker and sure many others could use some extra healing time.
Zucker and Drew Shore probably could use some extra time off after the World Juniors hangover.
Finally a huge series, Gold Pan, Full House at Magness and rowdy student section against CC is probably just what is needed to fire everyone up for the 10 game WCHA conclusion.
Aluuu-what adjustments would you make to Dono's game?
Nice weekend for the Pios. 4 points against a tough UAA team is no easy task. The play wasn't consistently great, and DU was sloppy at times and looked a bit uninspired, but kudos to the team for stepping up and rattling off 2 Ws.
Re: Donovan. He is extremely talented but continues to struggle at times with focus, effort and discipline. Sometimes he looks bored out there, in my opinion. He needs to figure out a way to build consistency in his game and keep his focus. Once that happens, he will be as good as anyone in college hockey.
On another, there is an interesting article in today's Post by Mark Kizla that discusses DU hockey and specifically the recent postseason flops. Needless to say, DU needs to start winning some postseason games, and soon.
Even on a bad night Donovan was better than anyone on the Alaska team. And how about that Makowski - he had his best weekend yet.
The WCHA is a grind, folks. What some might term as DU being 'bored' or 'disinterested' is only part of what's happening out there, IMHO.
In every season, there are "lulls" where energy levels fluctuate. Every team has them at every level and its rare that a team can go full bore for 60 minutes. You have the learn to play in the lulls to be effective. DU has a young guys, and they are still learning to play in the lulls.
I think the CC weekend, once they shake off the rust, should amp up the effort levels.
"mediocre goaltending"
" I think a split is likely."
SUCK IT Swami. DU sweeps the Seawolves!
I'm starting to think that this may be the best passing DU team I've ever seen. These guy really whip the puck around the ice and are completely unselfish.
I noticed it earlier in the season, but at that time the passes weren't connecting or guys weren't finishing, but against UAA especially during those five glorious minutes that netted four goals. WOW.
Donovan's pass to Maiani shorthanded and Bennett's pass to Mermis were great. Throw Bennett & Zucker's "Play of the Day" type goals into the mix.
I have a concern about Donovan. At times, he looks terrific, however, there are way too many instances where he looks like he is scrambling to get into the play. I would imagine he leads the team in penalty minutes, he had three penalties Saturday night. I wonder if his head is in the game or is he focused on who he will sign with at the end of the year.
It was great to see Mermis score. That guy works hard, every shift.
Anon 9:18
While I am thrilled DU swept UAA this weekend, the Pioneers were outworked and outplayed by UAA for large chunks of both nights, and that weekend could easily have been a split or worse, and the DU coaches and players all know it.
The Pios got better goaltending this weekend than in previous weeks. This is a promising sign, and they got some great skill work from key guys to get the goals they needed.
That said, turnovers, lapses and coverage issues are still areas of DU's game that must be fixed.
"the Pioneers were outworked and outplayed by UAA"
And yet DU won 5-1 on Saturday and swept the weekend.
I agree SUCK IT you old gas bag.
Donovan looked a bit dehydrated. Where was the water boy? Tell Swami to shut up and keep the water bottles full.
everybody knows that Schwartz is the waterboy
y troll our puck swami when dunlop's blog is available for that?
i agree
Donovans incredibly talented but sometimes he either lacks a sense of urgency or just tries to do too much. He's young though!
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