With a little more than a period to play Saturday, the University of Denver unofficially had the country’s No. 1 ranking written before its name. To boot, the second-ranked Pioneers likely were within grasp of snatching No. 1 away from rival Colorado College.
It was a scary moment for Front Range fans from Denver to Colorado Springs, because if DU held on to beat Ohio State to remain perfect, Friday’s Halloween showdown against CC would undoubtedly pit No. 1 vs. No. 2, order unclear.
But the Buckeyes probably ruined that scenario, scoring the game’s final three goals to upset previously undefeated DU 4-3 before a sellout crowd of 6,059 at Magness Arena.
An unsightly defensive-end turnover between the circles by DU’s Anthony Maiani led to Peter Boyd’s perfectly placed wrist shot with 1:34 remaining, making it 4-3.
DU junior Tyler Ruegsegger clanged a shot off the right goalpost with 29 seconds to play, and Tyler Bozak couldn’t bury a backhander with 10 ticks left, preventing DU from forcing overtime and beginning 5-0 for the first time since 2001.
Ohio State’s Cal Heeter (36 saves) got the win in his first start. DU sophomore Marc Cheverie (27 saves) lost for the first time in six career starts.
“We gave them the puck — uncontested — too many times,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said. “It finally came back to haunt us. It’s been building. Ohio State transitioned on us, time and time again, because we were extremely poor with the puck — our passing decisions or our shot versus passing decisions. Once again, in the offensive zone we overpassed the puck.”
Earlier Saturday at Clarkson, CC tied the Golden Knights for the second straight night. The Tigers (4-0-2) likely will remain No. 1 heading into next weekend’s home-and-home showdown with DU, which begins Friday at Magness Arena and concludes Sunday in Colorado Springs.
DU captain JP Testwuide, whose younger brother plays for CC, said the Pioneers might have needed a reality check heading into the first of two Gold Pan weekends.
“They outplayed us,” Test-wuide said of the Buckeyes. “They beat us to pucks and caused turnovers that we couldn’t handle. I think this makes us hungrier, because we know we have to improve and get better. Come Monday, I think our guys are going to be focused, ready to move on, and make a statement this weekend.”
“That’s a heck of a hockey team they have over there,” Buckeyes coach John Markell said of the Pioneers. “Very, very dangerous . . . I’m very proud of our guys.”
OHIO STATE 4, DENVER 3
Ohio State 1 1 2 — 4
Denver 0 3 0 — 3
First period — 1, Ohio State, Reed 1 (Somma, Boots), 5:05 (pp). Penalties — Sims, OSU (hooking), :16; Glasser, DU (elbowing), 3:32; Rahkshani, DU (interference), 7:54; Bartkowski, OSU (holding), 19:26.
Second period — 2, Denver, Maiani 4 (Martin, Ostrow), 1:52 (pp). 3, Denver, Colborne 1 (Salazar), 3:26. 4, Denver, Wiercioch 4 (Rahkshani, Mullen), 5:13 (5×3 pp). 5, Ohio State, Dalpe 3 (Elkins, Bartkowski), 19:15 (pp). Penalties — Duddy, OSU (slashing), 1:30; Somma, OSU (holding), 3:46; Bishop, OSU (tripping), 4:44; Gifford, DU (holding), 8:50; Schneider, OSU (holding), 15:38; Ruegsegger, DU (slashing), 16:24; Bartkowski, OSU (roughing), 16:24; Rakhshani, DU (interference), 16:56; Lee, DU (cross checking), 19:03; Toy, OSU (tripping), 19:41; Ostrow, DU (hooking), 20:00.
Third period — 6, Ohio State, Elkins 4 (Bartkowski), 2:02. 7, Ohio State, Boyd 3 (unassisted), 17:47. Penalties — Schafer, OSU (hooking), 5:30; Rakhshani, DU (slashing), 8:27; Colborne, DU (interference), 18:33; Bartkowski, OSU (double-minor, roughing), 20:00; Wiercioch, DU (double-minor, roughing), 20:00; Somma, OSU (double-minor, roughing), 20:00; Ostrow, DU (double-minor, roughing), 20:00.
Shots — OSU 10-11-10 — 31. DU 7-16-16 — 39. Power plays OSU 2 of 8. DU 2 of 8. Goalies — OSU, Heeter (1-0) 39 shots-36 saves. DU, Cheverie (4-1) 31-27. A — 6,059.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
DU Recap
Three stars
1. Corey Elkins.
Senior center assisted and scored on the consecutive Ohio State goals that made it 3-3.
2. Peter Boyd.
Buckeyes sophomore scored the game-winner.
3. Patrick Wiercioch.
DU freshman defenseman got another goal and was rock-solid behind the blue line.
What you might have missed
DU’s Kyle Ostrow, Anthony Maiani, Patrick Mullen and Luke Salazar extended their point streaks to five games.
Up next
Colorado College, Friday at Magness Arena
