DENVER, Colo.—Tyler Ruegsegger and Kyle Ostrow scored power play goals as Denver beat Maine 2-0 in the Pioneers season opener Friday night.
Denver goalie Peter Mannino posted the 10th shutout, stopping 25 shots to lead DU to its first opening night win since 2003.
Ruegsegger also had an assist, while defenseman Chris Butler assisted on both goals.
The Pioneers (1-0) outshot the Black Bears 48-25, including 16-7 in the opening period, but couldn’t get past netminder Ben Bishop until the second period.
DU got on the board when a rebound of a Butler shot slid out to Ruegsegger, who beat Bishop at the 5:46 mark. The Pioneers’ power-play units struck again in the final minute of the frame, as Ostrow gave DU a two-goal cushion at the second intermission off assists by Ruegsegger and Butler.
Mannino helped hold Maine (0-1) scoreless in four power-play chances. DU finished 2-for-8 on power plays.
“Everyone said we’ve got a lot of new faces and that it will take time to be a team, but we’ve got a lot of guys that really care about each other and really want to succeed,” Butler said. “Our puck movement tonight was much better than I’ve seen in a long time.”
