Pioneers Dominance: Series Sweep Over RedHawks!

DENVER – The No. 6 University of Denver hockey team triumphed in its weekend matchup versus the Miami RedHawks, with 12 different Pioneers registering at least a point in a 6-2 victory on Saturday evening at Magness Arena.
 
Senior Jack Devine and junior Aidan Thompson both achieved two points each with a goal and an assist, while senior captain Carter King also enjoyed a multi-point evening with two assists. Sophomores Sam Harris, Eric Pohlkamp, and Kieran Cebrian also found the back of the MU net. 
 
“I truly appreciated our competitiveness throughout the entire match tonight,” remarked Richard and Kitzia Goodman Hockey Head Coach David Carle. “I felt we maintained full pressure. Certainly, there was a strong push in the opening five minutes, but we navigated that challenge effectively, retaliated, and didn’t look back from that moment.”
 
Goaltender Matt Davis recorded 10 saves as DU permitted only 12 shots against. The senior secured his 50th career win with Denver, marking him as the 13th goalie to achieve the half-century milestone in the program’s history.
 
During his 100th career game, junior Jared Wright netted the first goal for the Pioneers (17-5-0, 6-4-0 NCHC) at 8:56 of the first period, utilizing a pass from behind the net from fellow classmate Rieger Lorenz.
 
Miami (3-15-2, 0-10-0 NCHC) faced four penalties throughout the evening, with DU taking advantage by scoring two power play goals. Devine scored during the man advantage with 3:02 remaining in the opening period, and Harris added another while up a man at 1:04 of the second.
 
DU led 2-0 after the first period and extended their lead to 4-0 in the second frame before the teams exchanged goals for the remainder of the night.
 
Michael Quinn and Casper Nassen were the only RedHawks able to get shots past Davis during this match. 
 
Miami goaltender Bruno Bruveris managed to save 36 of the 42 shots DU directed at him. 
 
The Pioneers had won the series opener on Friday with a score of 4-1 and are now unbeaten in their last 16 encounters (15-0-1) against the RedHawks.
 
UP NEXT: Denver will embark on its final bye week of the regular season and will resume its schedule on Jan. 24-25 at Minnesota Duluth.
 
 
POSTGAME NOTES

• DU leads the historical series 35-13-4 and has a record of 21-1-1 in the last 23 matches against MU.
• Denver has extended its unbeaten streak against the RedHawks to 16 games (15-0-1) and remains unbeaten in its past 15 matches at Magness Arena (14-0-1), with Miami’s last triumph in Denver taking place on Feb. 22, 2019.
• Denver scored on the power play in three consecutive games and achieved multiple power-play goals for the sixth time this season.
• DU’s 12 shots allowed matched a season best (Oct. 5 at Alaska Anchorage).
• With Matt Davis attaining 50 wins, he’s now one victory away from tying for 11th place on the institution’s all-time wins list with Sam Brittain (2010-2014) and Scott Robinson (1978-1982).
• Boston Buckberger reached his 40th career point with an assist on Jared Wright’s goal.
• On Jack Devine’s power play score, Rieger Lorenz achieved his 45th point in his career at DU.
• DU and Miami were facing off for the eighth consecutive time at Magness Arena. The Pios will visit the RedHawks in Oxford, Ohio, on Feb. 21-22.
• Sam Harris and Aidan Thompson both netted a goal for Denver, elevating them into a tie for fourth for most goals in the NCAA this year (13). Harris also tied for fourth for the most power-play goals in the country (7).
• Zeev Buium has accumulated 13 points in his last 10 games (4g/9a) dating back to Nov. 15 at North Dakota.
• Carter King is currently on a four-game point streak (1g/3a), while Jack Devine is on a three-game point streak (2g/1a).
• Jack Devine has moved into sole possession of second place for the most points in the NCAA this season after his two points in the contest (31).
• Jared Wright participated in his 100th career game.

 
GOAL SUMMARY
1st Period
8:56 DU (1-0) – Rieger Lorenz passed the puck from behind the net to the lower slot where Jared Wright promptly shot the puck five-hole and into the net.
16:58 DU (2-0) – PPG, Jack Devine scored after Carter King managed the puck from behind the net following a scramble in the crease and found his teammate open on the low right side.
 
2nd Period
1:04 DU (3-0) – PPG,Sam Harris executed a one-time shot from the low right circle after all his teammates on the ice had previously touched the puck.
12:09 DU (4-0) – Aidan Thompson drove towards the goal from the neutral zone and scored five-hole on an unassisted tally.
14:50 (4-1) – PPG, Casper Nassen netted a one-time shot from the left circle.
 
3rd Period
12:45 (5-2) – PPG, Michael Quinn scored with an outside shot during a power play advantage.
15:22 (6-2) – Kieran Cebrian went high, short-side with a wrist shot while advancing towards the goal.
 
 
QUOTABLES
Richard and Kitzia Goodman Hockey Head Coach David Carle
On the top line: “I believe that when they’re maintaining possession of the puck, their skill level enables them to break down opponents. When they’re connected and moving their feet, it’s tough to get the puck off their stick. I thought they showcased quite a bit of that tonight, and it was gratifying to see them rewarded.”
 
On the Lorenz-Cebrian-Wright line: “It’s no secret; they have performed remarkably well throughout the season. The offensive output might not have met their expectations, but they are executing things correctly, and it’s important to continue believing that if they adhere to that standard and their potential, they will generate results as the competition intensifies.
 
Senior Forward Carter King
On the sweep: “It was a solid weekend, regaining some confidence across the lineup. We had substantial puck possession, and players began to feel more at ease with the puck on their stick. Getting that possession game back is crucial for us.” 
 
On whether the power play boosted confidence for tonight: “Absolutely, I think it was more about the confidence than the penalties. It’s about having the puck on your stick, maintaining possession, looking up, and connecting with each other. I was really pleased with our performance this weekend.” 
 
Junior Forward Jared Wright
On his goal and the weekend overall: “It felt great to score. It was essential for our line to start gaining momentum. [Keiran Cebrian] with that late goal was vital for him. But I’ve been satisfied with our line. We’re playing the right way, embodying Denver hockey, and it’s significant for our group to achieve a sweep. I believe we haven’t swept since North Dakota, so these are crucial points for us and in the NCHC, and I hope we can maintain this momentum.”
 
On his line’s confidence level: “I think we’ve always had confidence, even with the lack of scoring. We have been playing together since the second half of last season, culminating in winning the national championship. So it’s about consistently playing the right way, and when we do that, it leads to production.”
 
Junior Forward Aidan Thompson
On the effective power plays: “I believe it’s all about quick puck movement. We have many talented players on the power play. Sammy [Harris] does an excellent job screening in front. Zeev [Buium], [Carter] King, [Jack] Devine all release the puck quickly, which contributes a lot. Our success continues, so we’re gonna keep it going.”
 
On Jack Devine: “He’s just an incredibly selfless player. I think he could easily score more goals if he wanted to. If there’s someone wide open at the back door, that’s a much higher percentage shot, so he’ll dish it back, and that’s evident. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think he’s leading the nation in assists, so he’s doing an excellent job—he should just continue what he’s doing because he’s performing fantastically.”
 
 
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