The Denver Pioneers’ two-year reign as the kings of college hockey came to an unofficial, humiliating end Sunday night in one of the biggest upsets in Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoff history.
Second-seeded DU – with virtually no chance of being given an at-large berth for the NCAA Tournament – lost 5-2 to No. 9 seed Minnesota-Duluth in the finale of the three-game playoff series at Magness Arena.
It is the WCHA’s biggest postseason upset since No. 10 Michigan Tech beat No. 1 Colorado College in three games in 1994. The Tigers didn’t qualify for the NCAA Tournament that year, and when 2006 bids are awarded Sunday, the Pioneers will become the first WCHA team since then to finish the regular season among the conference’s top two and not make the national field.
“It’s tough, one of those things you don’t want to happen, and one of those things you can’t believe happened,” said center Gabe Gauthier, one of two DU seniors. “We had a great run, and these guys are truly special to play with. It’s just tough to go out like this.”
Minnesota-Duluth (11-24-4) – which had four of its 10 freshmen account for goals in the series – advances to this week’s WCHA Final Five in St. Paul, Minn.
The Bulldogs, who entered the series with just three goals in their previous six games, scored four within 3:45 of the second period to erase a 1-0 Denver lead.
The Pioneers (21-15-3), who went 3-5-1 in their last nine games, took their lead on their first power play of the game and were presented a grand opportunity to double it less than a minute later when MacGregor Sharp took a five-minute major for checking from behind.
Denver failed to capitalize on the major or its next three power plays, leaving the game up for grabs.
The Bulldogs snatched it with authority, taking advantage of penalties by sophomore Geoff Paukovich and freshman Patrick Mullen to even it with both DU skaters in the box at 12:17, and go ahead 2-1 with just Mullen in the sin bin at 13:27.
The visitors added even- strength goals at 13:57 and 16:02. That spelled the end of the season for 2005 Frozen Four MVP Peter Mannino, the sophomore who stopped just 14-of-18 shots.
“We had a mental lapse for five or six minutes in that second period, and they took advantage of it and we couldn’t regroup,” DU junior Matt Carle said.
“We fought very hard to put ourselves in position to get a second seed, and to not be able to move on and prolong our postseason play is disappointing. It hurts,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said. “It’s a very difficult thing to do, to say goodbye and really realize the season is done.”
Minnesota-Duluth 0 4 1 – 5
Denver 1 0 1 – 2
First period – 1, Denver, Stastny 19 (Mullen, Gauthier), 9:41 (pp). Second period – 2, Minnesota-Duluth, Stapleton 13 (Raymond, Niskanen), 12:17 (pp). 3, Minnesota-Duluth, Meyers 3 (Mc- Knight, Kemp), 13:27 (pp). 4, Minnesota-Duluth, Gergen 14 (Stapleton, Williams), 13:57. 5, Minnesota-Duluth, Garrison 3 (Williams, Stapleton), 16:02. Third period – 6, Denver, Gauthier 15 (Stastny, Dingle), 15:06. 7, Minnesota-Duluth, Carroll 13 (Greer), 19:31 (en).
Shots – UMD 8-12-7-27. DU 8-9-18-35. Power plays – UMD 2 of 7. DU 1 of 6. Goalies – UMD, Ziegelmann (2-4) 35 shots-33 saves. DU, Mannino (12-8-1) 18-14 (36:02), Fisher (8-8) (19:04).
DENVER POST THREE STARS
1. Tim Stapleton – The UMD senior tied it at 1-1 and assisted on two later goals to help give the Bulldogs a 4-1 lead.
2. Nate Ziegelmann – The sophomore goalie, playing in his third game in three nights, kept the Bulldogs alive early.
3. Paul Stastny – Had a goal and an assist for DU.
WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
Matt Carle, a shoo-in to be named a Hobey Baker Award finalist Thursday, might have played his final game for the Pioneers. The junior defenseman said he would meet with his parents about a decision to return for his senior season or sign with the San Jose Sharks.
Staff writer Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
