Projectile vomiting by University of Denver junior Tyler Ruegsegger during coach George Gwozdecky’s pregame speech Saturday created locker room laughter seldom seen in an all-business atmosphere — even after it became obvious the center was in no shape to play.
“It was kind of unique, and in a sick sense the guys were chuckling about it,” said Gwozdecky, who already was missing star center Tyler Bozak. “They didn’t let it distract them and came out and worked very hard without two of our top offensive guys.”
Minus Ruegsegger and Bozak and having leading scorer Anthony Maiani fail to produce a point for just the fourth time this season, DU used a sensational goaltending performance by Marc Cheverie and highlight-reel plays by defenseman Patrick Mullen and winger Kyle Ostrow to defeat Michigan Tech 3-1 at Magness Arena.
“Our team stepped up big-time,” said Cheverie, who made 31 saves. “We obviously had some guys in the lineup that normally wouldn’t be, but we have depth and we played really well defensively, and that’s the way we have to be in the second half of the season.”
Mullen’s behind-the-net pass set up Jesse Martin’s goal to make it 1-0, and Ostrow’s midair tap-in late in the second period broke a 1-1 tie, spoiling a splendid effort by Huskies goalie Rob Nolan (35 saves).
Martin unselfishly assisted on Rhett Rakhshani’s empty-net goal with four seconds to play, securing a four-game, regular-season sweep over Michigan Tech.
In the Western Collegiate Hockey Association race, the win gave league-leading DU a five-point cushion over Colorado College and Minnesota. The No. 7-ranked Pioneers (15-6-2, 11-4-1) are idle this weekend and travel to North Dakota for a Jan. 23-24 series.
“I really had a good feeling how we would start, and obviously we had to make some adjustments on our line combinations, and on the power play and penalty kill, but I thought we took advantage of some of the things Tech was giving us, especially their swarming defensive coverage,” Gwozdecky said.
Michigan Tech 1 0 0 — 1
Denver 1 1 1 — 3
First period — 1, Denver, Martin 8 (Mullen, Wiercioch), 10:00. 2, Michigan Tech, Dobson 1 (Kinrade, Olson), 19:21 (pp). Penalties — Doriott, MTU (roughing), 9:08; Jackson, DU (roughing), 9:08; Lord, MTU (tripping), 12:13; Lord, MTU (tripping), 17:40; Rakhshani, DU (holding), 18:23; Martin, DU (holding), 18:42.
Second period — 3, Denver, Ostrow 7 (Mullen, Testwuide), 18:01. Penalties — Glasser, DU (tripping), 5:49; Bennett, MTU (kneeing), 13:45; Dobson, DU (unsportsmanlike conduct), 16:01; Colborne, DU (interference), 19:43.
Third period — 4, Denver, Rakhshani 10 (Martin), 19:56 (en). Penalties — None.
Shots — MTU 13-12-7 — 32. DU 14-15-9 — 38. Power plays — MTU 1 of 4. DU 0 of 4. Goalies — MTU, Nolan (2-11-1) 37 shots-35 saves. DU, Cheverie (15-6-2) 32-31. A — 6,030.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
DU Recap
The Post’s three stars
1. Marc Cheverie.
DU sophomore won the goaltending battle with 31 saves.
2. Kyle Ostrow.
Beautiful game-winning goal for the Pioneers’ sophomore wing.
3. Patrick Mullen.
DU senior defenseman had two assists.
What you might have missed
In 15 seasons at DU, coach George Gwozdecky is 43-10-7 against Michigan Tech.
Up next
Jan. 23-24 at North Dakota.
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
