The Goal Czar Becoming A Legend In Norway

(above) Former DU star Luke Salazar is the poster boy for Norweigen team Frisk Asker

DU Alum Luke Salazar is leading his team in scoring by a wide margin this season.  In his first year of professional hockey, Salazar has 10 goals and 30 assists in 33 games.  The leading scorer on each team in Norway wears a gold helmet.

Clearly the Force is with Luke this season.

Tweets From Around PioNation

Tweets From Around PioNation

(above) 13 year-old Baker Shore already has several NHL players following his tweets

Goal Czar Packs His Bags For Norway

From: Budstikka
by Mette Sjølie

University of Denver Alum Luke Salazar [a.k.a. The Goal Czar to his DU fans] will begin his professional career in Norway. He signed a professional contract with the Frisk-Asker Tigers located near Oslo, Norway.

Former Norweigan and DU goaltender Lars Paulgaard also spent time with Frisk-Asker.

"Luke came to us and really wanted to play here. He has seen opportunities open up to other Americans after a good season in Asker. We checked contacts in the United States and he was highly recommended," said Ole Gerhard Haug.

Tweets From Around PioNation-Beastmode

Denver Post: Goal Czar Symbolizes DU's Resiliency

(above) Under the leadership of The Goal Czar DU is a college hockey powerhouse

From: Denver Post

by Adrian Dater

A nonscholarship student four years ago at DU, 5-foot-7, 155-pound Luke Salazar essentially walked on to the Pioneers' Division I program. He eventually landed a scholarship and a regular role.

His against-the-odds story wouldn't be a bad one for the current Pioneers team to emulate this weekend in Green Bay, where DU hopes to win two NCAA regional tournament games and advance to the Frozen Four in Tampa, Fla., in April. The Pioneers are a banged-up team entering today's opening matchup with Ferris State. Nine regular players could not practice much of the week. Some forwards may need to play on defense [read entire article].

USCHO Profiles The Goal Czar

(above) The Goal Czar did it again on Thursday afternoon recording his second career game tying goal to go along with his 12 game winning goals while playing for DU

From: USCHO.com

by Timothy Bogar

We’ve heard all about Jason Zucker. And the Shore brothers too. But much of Denver’s good fortune as of late has come from the stick of senior right wing Luke Salazar.

The small (5-foot-7, 155 pounds) and quiet forward has scored some big, loud goals for his team in the month of March.

Salazar, from the Denver suburb of Thornton, Colo., was the hero in last weekend’s series win over Wisconsin, notching the game-winning goal in a 3-1 victory Saturday and following that up with the overtime winner Sunday, sending the Pioneers to St. Paul [read entire article].

DU 3 Michigan Tech 2 OT FINAL

(above) The Land Shark Showed Tech his big white teeth

It was business as usual at the Final 5 on Thursday afternoon.  Late heroics by the Goal Czar tied the game with a goal in the final five minutes of regulation and Jason Zucker won it early in Overtime with a chip-in goal.

The University of Denver and Michigan Tech played a thrilling back-and-forth brand of hockey at the Xcel Energy Center in the opening game of the WCHA Final 5 playoffs.  Juho Olkinoura made many key saves in the third period to keep DU in the game.

Ty Loney open the game with an early goal for DU to stake the Pioneers to a 1-0 advantage.  Michigan Tech scored later in the period to tie the game at one.

DU drops to #12 in the Pairwise Rankings after North Dakota defeated St Cloud State 4-1 on Thursday night.

Denver Post Game Recap

AP Game Recap

Boxscore

USCHO Photo Slideshow

Denver 3 - Wisconsin 2 OT FINAL

(above) All Hail The Goal Czar

"Over the past four weeks, Luke Salazar has been playing the best hockey of his career."

DU Head Coach George Gwozdecky

The Goal Czar has scored many big goals in his  four year collegiate career, but on Sunday night he tallied the biggest goal of his life in overtime.  His wraparound shot bounced off Wisconsin goaltender Joel Rumple just 1:45 into overtime and punched DU's ticket into the WCHA Final 5.

After DU fell behind 1-0, Ty Loney answered for DU in the second period.

As was typical of this three game series, it was close fought throughout.  Wisconsin led twice in the second period.   Nick Shore's power play goal evened things in the third period and set the stage for the Goal Czar.

Salazar's heroics were not limited to Sunday night, also recorded the game winning goal on Saturday.

DU moved up to a tie for #11 in the Pairwise Rankings with North Dakota.  Almost certainly DU has locked up a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Pairwise Rankings

Boxscore

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Denver Post Game Recap 

DU 3 - Wisconsin 1 FINAL

The University of Denver scored three third period goals to defeat Wisconsin on Saturday night.  DU had been shut out for five consecutive periods by the Badgers before exploding in the Third.

Early in the game, Drew Shore was given a game misconduct penalty and the Pioneers facing a do-or-die game without their leading scorer and Co-Captain for the final 50 minutes.

Nate Dewhurst gave DU a 1-0 lead with 15 minutes to play in the final stanza.  It was a greasy goal with a scrum in front of the Wisconsin goalie.

Justin Schultz answered for the Badgers with a goal two minutes later to knot the score at 1-1.

The Goal Czar was set up with a beautiful pass from Jason Zucker to score the game-winning-goal with six minutes to play.  Zucker's play was all the more remarkable since he had left the ice minutes before, limping noticeably after colliding awkwardly into the boards.  After a visit to the locker room he reappeared and set up the game winner.

Nick Shore scored an empty netter with a minute left.

DU is now tied at #12 in the Pairwise Rankings.  DU will play the deciding game on Sunday night at Magness Arena.

Pairwise Rankings
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Boxscore

Denver Post Game Recap

Denver Post: DU Peaking Near Post Season

The Goal Czar

From: Denver Post

by Mike Chambers

Hockey's back-door pass and open-net tap-in is considered the equivalent of an alley-oop dunk in basketball. Exciting stuff.

This year, the back door seems like the preferred route for the University of Denver hockey team, a highlight waiting to happen. The young and talented (and injury-prone) Pioneers (21-11-4) are accustomed to foundering in the NCAA Tournament as favorites, but if they qualify for the 16-team field this year, they probably won't be one of the top regional seeds [read entire article].

DU Stuns Nebraska-Omaha In Overtime 3-2

(Above) The Goal Czar tied the game with 38 seconds remaining in regulation

Photo Slideshow

Freshman Daniel Doremus scored the biggest goal of his career as the University of Denver came from behind to win on the road on Saturday night.

DU trailed the University of Nebraska-Omaha 2-1 with less than two minutes remaining in regulation.  UNO was called for a penalty.  The Pioneers went on the Power Play and with a minute remaining pulled goaltender Sam Brittain to attack the Mavericks 6 on 4.  The Goal Czar scored the game tying goal with 38 seconds remaining.

In Overtime, DU controlled the balance of play and it set up Daniel Doremus' heroic goal.  Jason Zucker fed Doremus who fired a wrist shot past the UNO goaltender to end the game.

Drew Shore scored DU's first goal of the game and Sam Brittain made 38 saves.

DU is #11 in the Pairwise Rankings and will face the University of Wisconsin next weekend in the WCHA Playoffs in Magness Arena.

Pairwise Rankings

Boxscore

Omaha World Herald Game Recap

Denver Post Game Recap

WCHA Standings

DU 3 - Wisconsin 0 FINAL

(above) Great Brittain is back between the pipes and all is well in PioNation

The University of Denver continued a recent run of solid defense and timely goals to defeat the University of Wisconsin 3-0 on Friday night. DU improved to 14-3-3 all-time in the Kohl Center.

Sam Brittain recorded his first shutout this year after recently returning from offseason knee surgery.  He made 28 saves.

Luke Salazar started the scoring in the second period with an unassisted goal off of a turnover.

Jason Zucker returned from a recent injury and scored in third period. Nick Shore rounded out the scoring with a 170-foot backhanded empty netter.

DU remained in third place as the top five teams in the WCHA all won on Friday night.

Boxscore

Pairwise

Denver Post Game Recap

Wisconsin State Journal Game Recap

WCHA Standings

Goal Czar Picks Up WCHA Hardware

(above) The Goal Czar had one goal and 5 assists last weekend

University of Denver senior forward Luke Salazar was named Red Baron® WCHA Offensive Player of the Week.

Salazar earns his first WCHA Player of the Week honor after helping Denver to a two-game sweep at Alaska Anchorage, winning 4-2 and 6-3. The 5'7, 155-lbs senior forward matched a career-high with a pair of three-point efforts as Denver increased its winning streak to five games. Salazar tallied a goal and two assists, including the game-winning assist Friday and then added a career-best three assists on Saturday. Salazar finished the weekend with a +6 plus/minus rating and four hits. Salazar has 18 points on six goals and 12 assists in 25 games this season.

DU 4 - Alaska Anchorage 2 FINAL

(above) Scott Mayfield nudges UAA's Brett Cameron onto the goalpost

Anchorage Daily News Photo Slideshow

Adam Murray made 30 saves to lead DU to a 4-2 victory over Alaska Anchorage on Friday night.

Ty Loney, Nick Shore, Drew Shore & Luke Salazar scored for DU.

Pairwise Rankings

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WCHA Standings

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Box Score

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Anchorage Daily News Game Recap

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DU's Lines
Forwards
Loney - Drew Shore - Salazar
Zucker - Nick Shore - Knowlton
Dewhurst - Ostrow - Jackson
Jacobson - Tabrum - Olszewski

Defense
Phillips - Mayfield
LaLeggia - Lee
Ryder - Didier

Goal
Murray - Olkinuora

Ty Loney Will Remain On First Line

(above) Reed and Ty [right] spend a little time with the Stanley Cup in the backyard

From: Denver Post

by Adrian Dater

One of Ty Loney's first memories is of his father's last acts as a professional hockey player.

"His last practice as a player, I think I was about 3 years old, I got to skate with him. That's my only memory of him and the NHL," said Loney, a University of Denver freshman forward whose team hosts Bemidji State this weekend at Magness Arena.

Loney's father, Troy, played 12 seasons in the NHL, the final one with the New York Islanders in 1994-95. He was part of a Pittsburgh Penguins​ team that won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992 [read entire article].

DU 7 - Air Force 1 FINAL

(above) It was a big night for the Shore brothers as they recorded two goals and four assists

 “When you can score early and score first like we did, it really helps you from a psychological standpoint and emotionally,” Denver coach George Gwozdecky said. “We’ve made changes to be in better position defensively, play harder defensively and manage the puck better. They were little subtle adjustments, and you can see the guys start to buy into it more with every period we played this weekend."

-DU head coach George Gwozdecky

The University of Denver hockey team spent a week of practice concentrating on defensive intensity.  The result? A ten goal weekend.  The Pioneers scored early and often to defeat Air Force 7-1 in Colorado Springs.

For the second night in a row, DU jumped out to an early lead, but tonight, the goals kept ringing up on the scoreboard.  Drew Shore (2), The Goal Czar (2), Ty Loney, Chris Knowlton & Joey Lagglia scored for DU.

Juho Olkinuora was solid in goal once again.  Fourth-string goaltender Zack Hope notched a few minutes and three saves in mop up duty in the third period.

DU killed off almost four consecutive minutes of 5-on-3 penalty kill before Luke Salazar scored shorthanded on an empty net goal in the third period.

Denver Post Game Recap

Colorado Springs Gazette Game Recap

Boxscore

Pairwise Rankings

Video: DU's 1st Goal From Inside Student Section

What was like to be on the front row of the student section on Saturday night in Magness Arena?  LetsGoDU gives you an exclusive look from achsdu17's handicam.  The video shows DU's first goal of the game when Beau Bennett scored a spectacular goal on a give and go from the Goal Czar.

Denver Post: DU Hockey News & Notes

The Denver Post has an article today about the Pioneers and their troubles in recent weeks.  Also mentioned is the lack of scoring from DU's top line.

The good news is that the Pioneers haven't been swept in three years in league play.

DU 4 - Minnesota State 2 FINAL

(above) The Goal Czar was en fuego on Friday night

The University of Denver hockey team won a hard fought battle in front of a raucous Magness Arena crowd on Friday night.  Minnesota State went toe to toe with the Pioneers all night long before finally falling 4-2 after an empty net goal sealed their fate.

The Goal Czar scored two goals in the second period to give DU a 2-1 lead.

The Mavs tied it early in the 3rd period.

Drew Shore scored the game winner on the power play and brother Nick Shore iced it with an empty netter.

Both goalies had strong games. It took a while for DU to solve Austin Lee. Adam Murray was equal to the task. Coach George Gwozdecky recorded his 400th win as the DU coach.

Shots: DU 38 MSU 25

First Star: Luke Salazar (Denver)
Second Star: Drew Shore (Denver)
Third Star: Jason Zucker (Denver)

Boxscore

Denver Post Game Recap