DU Dominates Miami with a 4-1 Triumph in Series Kickoff

DENVER – The No. 6 University of Denver hockey squad netted two goals in a span of 2:20 during a significant power play early in the second period, resulting in a 4-1 victory over the Miami RedHawks on Friday evening at Magness Arena. 
 
“I’m proud of our players for remaining persistent and believing that success would eventually materialize,” stated Richard and Kitzia Goodman Hockey Head Coach David Carle. “Clearly, special teams played a vital role in the game; scoring those two power-play goals and successfully killing off their penalties was essential.” 
 
Denver (16-5-1, 5-4-0 NCHC) concludes its two-game home series against Miami on Saturday at 6 p.m. MT, which will be streamed on NCHC.tv. Limited tickets are available.
 
Sophomore and World Junior gold medalist Zeev Buium finished the evening with three points (1g/2a) for the Pioneers. Junior Aidan Thompson accumulated two points, including an assist and his sixth power-play goal of the season, leading the team in that category.
 
Sophomore defenseman Erik Pohlkamp marked the Pios’ game-winning goal 3:35 into the middle period with assists from freshman Jake Fisher and junior Samu Salminen. 
 
Denver capitalized on a lengthy power play following MU’s Nick Donato receiving a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct for checking senior Jack Devine from behind into the boards just 28 seconds into the second period. Thompson scored a shot from the left circle at 1:15 of the period, and Pohlkamp mirrored this from the right side with under two minutes remaining on the man advantage.
 
Colby Ambrosio brought the RedHawks within a single goal with less than two minutes left in the second period, bringing the score to 2-1 as they entered the intermission.
 
Devine scored his third goal of the season midway through the third period, while Buium added his second empty-net goal of the year with 1:53 remaining in the match.
 
Senior goaltender Matt Davis denied 18 shots throughout the evening to secure the win for Denver. Miami goaltender Bruno Bruveris blocked 32 of the 36 shots directed at him. 
 
The Pioneers concluded the game with a 2-for-5 performance on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
 
UP NEXT: Denver and Miami will finalize their weekend series on Saturday at 6 p.m. MT at Magness Arena. The game will commence at 6 p.m. and will be available for streaming on NCHC.tv.
 
 
POSTGAME NOTES

• Friday’s match was the first of four contests that the Pios will play against the RedHawks this season, with another series scheduled in Oxford, Ohio, on February 21-22. 
• The Pioneers extended their unbeaten streak against the RedHawks to 15 games (14-0-1) and remain undefeated in their last 14 face-offs at Magness Arena, with Miami’s latest win in Denver dating back to February 22, 2019.
• DU leads the all-time series 34-13-4 and boasts a record of 20-1-1 in the last 22 encounters with MU.
• Zeev Buium marked his third three-point game of the season, making it the eighth of his career. Additionally, it was his fifth multi-assist game and sixth multi-point outing of the season.
• Buium currently has 12 points over his last nine games (4g/8a) dating back to November 15 against North Dakota.
• Aidan Thompson tied Sam Harris and Carter King for the team lead in goals (12) and equaled Sam Harris for the team lead in power-play goals (6).
• Jack Devine tallied his 135th career point (47g/88a), placing him in a tie with Jerry Walker for 34th on the program’s all-time scorecard.
• Carter King achieved his 50th career assist on Aidan Thompson’s power-play goal and is currently on a three-game point streak (1g/2a).
• Denver leads the nation in power-play efficiency and has scored during the man advantage in three consecutive games. DU has now tallied multiple power-play goals in five matches this season.
• Richard and Kitzia Goodman Hockey Head Coach David Carle and defenseman Zeev Buium rejoined the team after contributing to the United States’ second consecutive gold medal victory at the IIHF World Junior Championship on Sunday.
• DU and Miami have faced each other for the seventh straight time at Magness Arena.
• Miami’s head coach Anthony Noreen is in his inaugural season leading the program and previously coached several former Pioneers while with the USHL Tri-City Storm, including current student-athletes Kieran Cebrian (2020-2023) and Cale Ashcroft (2022-23).

 
GOAL SUMMARY
1st Period
No Scoring
 
2nd Period
1:15 DU (1-0) – PPG, Aidan Thompson’s shot from the leftcircle surpassed the Miami goaltender and struck the back of the net
3:37 DU (2-0) – PPG, Eric Pohlkamp accepted a cross-pass from Carter King and netted a wrist shot that went short-side from the right circle for DU’s second goal during the major power play.
18:32 MU (2-1) – Colby Ambrosio scored with a wrist shot while racing toward the net.
 
3rd Period
9:26 DU (3-1) – Jack Devine’s one-timer deflected off a Miami player’s leg and redirected into the back of the net.
18:07 DU (4-1) – ENG, Zeev Buium scored unassisted into an empty net with a shot from the point.
 
 
QUOTABLES
Richard and Kitzia Goodman Hockey Head Coach David Carle
On Jack Devine scoring: “Sometimes it takes that (scoring on a deflection). I wouldn’t have imagined it would be his third goal of the year in January. He consistently makes others better; that’s not easy to accomplish. He’s displayed significant resilience in his performance, which is fantastic for us and beneficial for him in the long run.”
 
On Eric Pohlkamp’s development: “He’s an essential member of our squad; he integrated quickly. There are ups and downs to the offense you produce, especially from the back end. A vital aspect for him is not to get frustrated by that. Navigating some adversity while being productive is beneficial for him. He’s a defenseman; that’s where his game must excel, and offense is secondary. We’re certainly relying on him and a few others on our back end to contribute. Ultimately, they must ensure that they keep the puck out of our net, and I believe he’s managing that process really positively over the last month or so.”
 
Junior Forward Jack Devine
On adjustments from first to second period: “We simply persisted. I felt we actually performed well, and I thought they provided a good challenge, but it was mainly about consistency. In a match like that, it’s easy to become frustrated if things don’t favor you, but you must remain steadfast. Another factor was the power play—those two goals were crucial, and it gave us a bit of reassurance heading into that.”
 
On adjustments the team needs for the series finale: “In the third (period), they really pressured us, so we need to review that a little. Clearly, we had numerous opportunities, so we need to see if we can execute a bit more effectively. They’re a strong team, but when we get chances, we should aim to extend that lead a bit.”
 

TICKETS: A limited number of tickets for Denver hockey’s 75th anniversary in 2024-25 are available. Click here to buy and for further details.