Orono, Maine – The good news: It is early.
The bad news: The University of Denver hockey team, ranked second in the country and winner of the past two national championships, limped into the 2005-06 season by dropping a weekend two- game set at Maine.
The Black Bears rallied behind a raucous crowd and a rookie goaltender Saturday to finish off the sweep with a 4-2 win. Maine won 5-1 Friday night.
“This is a good example of, if you’re not ready to play, you’re going to struggle,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said. “I thought we gave a better effort tonight (than Friday), but Maine was better, and they got better as the game went on.”
Saturday started much like Friday night, with DU taking an 1-0 lead. Just 1:52 into the first, DU defenseman Chris Butler had a rebound ricochet to his stick in front of Maine’s net. The freshman settled the puck and got a wrist shot past goaltender Ben Bishop for his first collegiate goal.
But, like Friday, No. 12 Maine (3-1) responded, but this time it didn’t take long.
“We didn’t expect this,” Maine coach Tim Whitehead said, referring to a sweep. “It was tough to go down early two games in a row, but our guys bounced back quickly.”
At 7:53 of the first, Derek Damon rebounded a Keith Johnson shot to tie the game. Keenan Hopson then put Maine ahead at 12:10 on a breakaway pass from Mike Lundin.
Maine extended its lead to 3-1, 5:37 into the second period. Rob Bellamy skated in hard on goaltender Peter Mannino, who made the initial save, but gave a rebound goal to Josh Soares, trailing the play.
“That third goal was huge for them,” Gwozdecky said. “Our guys had been on the ice too long, and they got a turnover that led to the goal. We couldn’t maintain any pressure after that.”
Even so, Denver outplayed and outshot the Black Bears in the second, generating plenty of chances against Bishop. DU’s frustration came to a head 13:48 into the period when Geoff Paukovich charged into Bishop after the whistle blew and was assessed a game misconduct penalty.
Butler grew up playing with Bishop around St. Louis and called his play impressive. “He’s a confident kid, and his team played well in front of him … that always helps,” Butler said.
Bishop agreed. “Our defense was outstanding,” he said. “We blocked shots, we killed penalties and they never got any clean looks.”
John Hopson added Maine’s final goal 2:46 into the third period. Fans started chants of “Overrated,” and “This is our house,” as the game wound down.
Denver got a goal from Ryan Dingle at 19:34 of the third, but it was too late. Mannino made 17 saves in his first start of the season.
The Pioneers also lost their first two games last season on the way to their second straight national title.
Denver 1 0 1 – 2
Maine 2 1 1 – 4
First period – Denver, Butler 1 (Trotter, Gauthier), 1:52. Maine, Damon 3 (Johnson, Soares), 7:53. Maine, K. Hopson 1 (Lundin), 12:10. Penalties – Hamilton, UM (tripping), 14:49. Carle, DU (ot) 18:05. Duffy, UM (hooking), 19:54.
Second period – Maine, Soares 3 (Bellamy, Jankus), 5:37. Penalties – Tyler, UM (hitting from behind), 3:22. Paukovich, DU, (eh), 5:51. Johnson, UM (hc), 11:31. Paukovich, DU (hitting), 13:48. Paukovich, DU (hitting from behind), 13:48. K. Hopson, UM, (interference), 19:38.
Third period – Maine, J. Hopson 1 (Ryan, K. Hopson), 2:46. Denver, Dingle 1 (Corbin, Veideman) 19:34 pp. Penalty – Trotter, DU (xh), 4:11. Shepheard, UM (roughing), 6:30. Stastny, DU (holding), 6:30. Moore, UM (tripping), 9:41. Carle, DU (slashing), 9:41. Tyler, UM (eh), 11:18. Tyler, UM (tripping), 18:52.
Shots on goal – Denver 5-11-9 – 25. Maine 7-8-6 – 21.
Power-play opportunities – Denver 1 of 7; Maine 0 of 4.
Goalies – Denver, Mannino, 5-7-5 (21 shots-17 saves). Maine, Bishop 4-11-8 (25 shots-23 saves).
Attendance – 5,641. T – 2:25.
