DU 2 - McGill 2 FINAL Overtime

(above) A late Jason Zucker goal saved DU on Saturday night

Jason Zucker picked up where he left off last season scoring two goals, as the University of Denver came from behind to tie McGill University in a preseason exhibition game.  

DU was leading comfortably 1-0 for most of the game, when McGill scored with 00:00.2 left in the second period.

After an early third period goal, McGill seemed to have things under control.  Zucker's heroics came with just under three minutes remaining on a pretty assist from Luke Salazar and Drew Shore.

Four Pioneer players missed the game due to injuries, academic issues or suspensions.

49 comments:

dggoddard said...

DU had their first official practice with coaches today at Noon. All in all not a bad performance considering.

Clearly the Canadian universities have closed the gap on their NCAA brethren. Supposedly McGill has 20-plus players who played major juniors and the team average 23 years of age.

Anonymous said...

McGill was a good looking team - fast, clean and experienced with quality goaltending. DU made a couple of mistakes (not unusual given one practice, and the Redmen buried their chances.

DU actually played decently - The Pios got about 40 shots on Morin, but the senior goalie was very composed and made the saves he need to make.

Good learning experience.

Rememer DU got spanked by Lethrbidge last year 5-2, and the two years before that were one-goal games against Calgary and Alberta

Anonymous said...

Great student turnout tonight. Must have been 400-500 students in the house.

Twister said...

Great to see hockey again at Magness tonight--I'm stoked for the upcoming season.

This played out like a typical exhibition game--the Pios did some good things, but obviously there is a lot to work on before the trip to Boston in 2 weeks. Completely agree on McGill--those guys came to play and were a very solid opponent. Their goaltender played well and they have some good solid-looking forwards.

Zucker is an amazing talent and seems poised for another electrifying year. You just can't take your eyes off him whenever he's on the ice.

Anonymous said...

Frosh Report:

Mayfield and Laleggia are going to be good college players - very composed for debut games. Loney also gave a good debut effort and is a big kid. Doremus had four shots but could not get one in. Wade Bennett only played a shift or two but got a shot, and Jacobsen did'nt do much except draw a penalty. Juho looked pretty good, Made a game saver stop late in the game and the McGill kid made a nice shot on the breakaway goal.

Anonymous said...

Disgusting display by the Students tonight chanting USA! Led by a student wearing a KE hat - that E was a Greek E for Sigma - sadly these students have no idea of the great Canadian players that have come through this school and given us our greatest moments - time for someone(DG?) to teach them some history. I was disgusted with their chants and singing American anthems. We are Pioneers - not Americans.

GO_PIOS said...

Both DG and I wore the KE. He may not be sympathetic.

Anonymous said...

i wasn't wild about the 'USA 'chant, either, but I think they were trying to just rattle McGill more than anything else,

I thought the student turnout was about 3 times better than what I expected for an exhibition game, expecially when there was a crowd of over 1,000 at the DU soccer game next door at the same time.

They should have played the soccer game last night to avoid cannibalizing home crowds.

Anonymous said...

Anybody know what Knowlton and Tabrum did to get indefinitely suspended by Gwoz? I know he normally suspends a guy or two at the beginning of the season for 1-2 games...but the whole "indefinite" thing is leaving me a little curious...

Anonymous said...

I caught a world junior's game in Buffalo last year and heard the "Boo S A" chants from Canadian fans. So not sure that was disgraceful chanting "USA" , just good rooting. And yes there are many fine Canadian players on DU but its the spirit of the game.

Zucker is a man among boys out there. Great game.

Overall, DU played a strong 1st period and seemed like they should of had 2-3 goals not just one. Moved the pick beautifully!

Looked like Ryder went out in the 1st with an injury? Not sure but he didn;t return?

I thought Murray played well so that's promising!

dggoddard said...

Our students can't chant "U-S-A" anymore?

Drive down to Colorado Springs for a DU vs. CC game the only thing you'll hear from their student section is "F*** Y*** DU" all game long.

Sounds to me like our student section is in mid-season form. I'd be interested to know if any other school gets 400+ student turnout for a hockey exhibition game this year.

dggoddard said...

According today's Denver Post, "Tabrum and Knowlton are serving indefinite team-imposed suspensions."

Anonymous said...

"indefinite team suspension" I wonder if that is academic or something else. I wonder if we will ever know?

Anonymous said...

Interesting. You could only manage to tie Mrs McGill, yet you think you're the elite of the WCHA? Bravo!

Anonymous said...

I moved our seats over behind the DU bench this year; it was particularly interesting to see the DU "newhires" being coached in the ways of the college game world. At one point you could tell George was coaxing Mayfield to be quicker on the line changes and not take his sweet time getting off the ice. Also, Denver is known for keeping everyone seated on the bench rather than standing - they say it keeps them rested. But, a couple times when things were intense out on the ice, sure enough, all the upper classmen were sitting, and the Freshmen were standing up....... Gwozdecky tapped them on the shoulder, "down in front"

Anonymous said...

are you kidding me??? You people are completely out of your minds by being disgusted about a U-S-A chant. This is a college hockey game - meant for digesting cheers and swearing. It's not like the students hate Canada, it's just a cheer to get the crowd going.

My guess is that your old fart, probably a christian, and your mom brought you up the wrong way.

Anonymous said...

DU has upgraded the display cases in the arena. Each case represents a sport...has a nice clean display of items...and many of them include trophies for all to see.

I thought the students were great last night! I'd love to see that support continue after the snow starts falling in the mountains.

Anonymous said...

Who gives a rip what the student section says?? Pay attention to what is happening on the ice.

Anonymous said...

10:41 Please explain what is wrong with being a christian.

old pio said...

Jesus, will you old ladies please make up your minds? We whine endlessly about the DU students not being engaged. Now they're emgaged but what they're cheering is "inappropriate." Judas Priest, they're college kids, "inappropriate" is what they do best! As to the juvenalia about religion--take that shit somewhere else.

Ring_of_Fire said...

FYI -

The NCHC has come out with a statement saying that they will enter the 2013 season with 8 teams, paving the way for Notre Dame to join Hockey East.

Link:http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2011/10/02_nchc_staying_at_8;_sets_stage.php

To borrow an earlier analogy from DG, now that the NCHC has lost out on Notre Dame and chosen to add St. Cloud and Western Michigan, I now see the NCHC as more of a "bloop single", as opposed to the "home run" it could have been when originally drawn up.

Sure, it'll be nice to have North Dakota and Miami in Magness every year, but losing the exposure and promise of games against Notre Dame in favor of blah-inducing games against St. Cloud and Western Michigan just....sucks....

Anonymous Joe said...

Ring of Fire, the NCHC didn't lose out on Notre Dame. It is the other way around. It has been very obvious that ND had preference for the NCHC but they stipulations that the NCHC wasn't willing to give.

And you know what? I actually respect the NCHC for doing that. Notre Dame may be a "name" or a "brand" but I'm glad the NCHC wasn't willing to be their bitch.

Ring_of_Fire said...

Joe:

We'll have to agree to disagree, there.

When it comes to generating interest and exposure, Notre Dame is one of a small handful of college institutions that you make allowances for.

As long as what the Irish were asking for wasn't completely outrageous, I simply cannot see how the NCHC is better off with St. Cloud and Western Michigan than they would have been with Notre Dame.

Anonymous Joe said...

Ring of Fire, that is the thing. The only way I saw Notre Dame not joining was that what they were asking for was indeed completely outrageous.

It is the only answer as to why North Dakota and Denver would say no to Notre Dame. Giving some allowances would've been fine to a degree but I have to believe that Notre Dame was asking for too much.

Ring_of_Fire said...

Joe:

Perhaps. But, if what we read is to be believed, the main sticking point was TV...Notre Dame wanted to run their own TV deal outside of whatever deal the league was able to negotiate.

I'm not sure that's entirely outrageous.

Whatever TV deal the league is able to negotiate will undoubtedly be substantially less lucrative than it would have been had Notre Dame been involved.

Code Red said...

Who gives a hoot if we are in a conference with Notre Dame or not. They are, overall, a below average hockey program and St Cloud has a higher-end program. This is about hockey and not some frickin popularity contest. Getting the best programs possible, and NOT the most recognizable institutions, was always the primary objective.

Anonymous said...

First official practice may be October 1st but coaches from all college teams are allowed 45 minutes a day with players the prior few weeks. So it really wasn't their first practice with coaches around.

Code Red: You are wrong on the objective. This whole thing from the start was to mainly achieve a quality conference that could attract a very nice TV presence. No way chance they are going to get much of a TV package now.

Code Red said...

I'm wrong?

Hahahahaha

It was a reaction to the Big 10 and a worry of any other conference having only the option of the recruits left that the Big 10 didn't want.

It was hockey first...TV contract not first.

No Big 10 would have meant no NCHC.

Get a clue.

Code Red said...

I'm not saying a better TV contract was not an objective, just that was not the primary driving force for the new conference. It was a worry of maintaining the current viability of the high end programs such as DU, UND, UMD, etc...lesser recruits equals lesser quality hockey which means weaker programs. It was about surviving and a better TV contract was more or less icing on the cake.

Anonymous said...

NCHC had zero to do with TV money and everything to do with the squads wanting to assure themselves of competition at a level of quality at least on-par with what we've enjoyed for decades in the WCHA. TV was an interesting side-wrinkle, but absolutely NOT the reason NCHC came into existence. If you're looking to lay blame, lay it at the feet of Penn State, who triggered the mandatory creation of a Big 10 conference.

While the NCHC now is not quite the "super" conference it was envisioned as, it right now resembles the current WCHA without the deadweight schools like Bemidji and MN State Mankato. The conference is easily as competitive as the current WCHA, and THAT is the critical factor. Essentially, NCHC is WCHA minus MN and WI, plus Miami and W.Mich. As far as I'm concerned, this was a good proactive move. Anyone calling the NCHC a failure is absolutely not looking at the facts of the situation.

vizoroo said...

Interesting that Notre Dame wanted to play in a smaller conference , say 8 teams. Now they end up in HE with 11 and maybe 12 teams. Fewer ooc games at the new arena

Anonymous said...

If Zack doesn't play Friday against his old team, it will be a dirty damn shame. This coming Friday is all about the Shores, in my opinion. Three future NHL players/brothers, together in the same game. Never happened before and may concievably never happen again until.... maybe... and NHL All Star Game ??? This is Epic. Bigger than the Listeria outbreak

Hiyo! said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
pesimisticfan said...

@Anon 12:05PM-

Are you kidding me with your comment about USA chants? Are you from America or at all patriotic? Leave your liberal, politically correct bulls**t at home. DU student section is known for funny chants towards teams (i.e. "Give them blankets" and "Scalp the Sioux" directed towards UND, "Gopher Rejects" towards any non UM school in Minnesota, "What's a Seawolf" UAA, and "Let's Go Tech" MTU. USA is probably the least offensive of any and though it's a Canadian school, I don't see how anybody would find that offensive. Maybe if the students booed Oh Canada like the fans in Montreal did during our anthem then you'd have a point, but otherwise shut your mouth and move on.

Anonymous said...

Notre Dame is yesterday's news, nothing but smoke and mirrors. Their football program is lousy, and their hockey team is historically mediocre. Reputation/brand name only goes so far these days. I'll take St. Cloud in the new conference anyday.

Anonymous said...

It is amazing to me that you guys are against the USA. That is absolutely pathetic. It had nothing to do with Canada, we chant that at every game. You know if you got off this site and actually went.

Anonymous said...

To the liberal scumbag who is crying about how we are "Pioneers" and not "Americans". How is it still living in your parents basement you effing communist? No disrespect to our great neighbors from the north but this is America folks. If you are offended by a USA chant in the USA, GTFO. I'm sure you would fit right in to a wonderful place like Iran or North Korea.

Anonymous said...

Observations from one exhibition game:

Mrray and Olkhinoura both challenged shooters and were in solid position all night. Good sign.

Doremus had four shots on goal, so he's not afraid to shoot. He also had a good physcial presence. Good first outing.

Mayfield is a big kid who isn't afraid to handle the puck and hit people. He's going to be a good one.

LaLeggia is a solid puck mover who struggled at times with the level of speed. He will adjust.

Drew Shore and Jason Zucker are top class players who will carry the team. Beau Bennett looks stronger and more confident. DU will need a better effort from Nick Shore, who had a rough outing.


DU's top six can run with anyone in the country. The challenge will be getting third line production, and I am not sure yet who will be on that third line. Decisions will need to be made.

DU has two weeks to improve and get ready for games that matter and get the transition timing to be better.

Anonymous said...

This wedding is horseshit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

How do you spell sieve in Finnish?

Anonymous said...

It’s surprising how few non-USA born players are on the DU team these days. Even the coach is now a US citizen. USA, USA, USA!

Anonymous said...

According to google translate:

Olen imevät munaa

Say it loud and proud brother!

Anonymous said...

I sit right next to the student section in 14 and the majority of the students were only present for the second period. As far as the chants are concerned, I thought they were great. Everyone in the area showed the proper respect for the national anthems then it was on! The only problem I have is the "and your mom's a whore" chant the female students find it necessary to say to the visiting goaltender after the "you suck". But I can live with it cause this is AMERICA and we can do that here.

Anonymous said...

What you do in the privacy of your home is really none of our business. As to the translation, I believe vizoroo is the word you were looking for. Oh wait that‘s for the translation that Anon 7:22:00 came up with.

Anonymous said...

CC and USAF both beat Mcgill

Anonymous said...

DU had just one official practice on the afternoon of the game and tied McGill, 2-2 in a very clean game, with no game film to prepare for the opponent.

CC had two official practices to DU's one before playing McGill(that makes a big difference at this time of year), also had the DU vs McGill game film to watch, then plays a penalty-filled game and scores 3 PPGs and beats the Redmen, 3-2. That extra prep is certainly worth the extra goal.

Air Force has two nights to scout McGill, 3 team practices and played McGill on the Redmen's third game in three nights (the Redmen are tired out by now) and win by a goal.

In other words, give DU the extra advantages that CC and Air Force had, and DU would likely win.

dggoddard said...

When is the banner raising ceremony at World Arena for Colorado College's victory over McGill? We wouldn't want to miss that.

Anonymous said...

Please tell me those retards won't be chanting USA on Friday night....in which case they'll actually be rooting for the opposition and not for DU. What to do, what to do!

Anonymous said...

Easy on calling us retards whether you like that we chant that and support the country we live in or not there is no need to use derogatory terms about people who actually have a disability. Think about who can see the stuff you write before you post it. What you said was completely unnecessary and I'm embarrassed to attend the same school as you.