GRAND FORKS, N.D.—Denver lost its coach, but hung onto first place in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Saturday with a 2-2 overtime tie against North Dakota.
The point allowed the Pioneers (15-7-3 overall, 11-5-2 in the WCHA) to remain one point ahead of second-place UND (15-10-3, 10-5-3), which won 8-3 in Friday’s series opener.
Denver coach George Gwozdecky was ejected in the second period after several arguments with the officials, one while standing on the boards. After he was ejected and the teams were lining up for a faceoff, Gwozdecky walked across the ice for another chat with an official before heading back to his bench and then the locker room.
“I was walking to the locker room, only I was taking the long way,” Gwozdecky said jokingly. “Actually, I was trying to get the attention of the officials.”
UND coach Dave Hakstol wouldn’t comment about Gwozdecky’s ejection or the possibility of further punishment by the league. But, he said, “My question is why he didn’t get another penalty (for going on the ice). A 5-on-3 would have been key for us.”
There was no scoring in the third period or five-minute overtime, although the Pioneers had the majority of the chances. That was due in part to Denver having five power plays and UND none after Gwozdecky’s ejection.
“We have to take some responsibility for some of the penalties,” Hakstol said. “But five in a row?”
The best overtime scoring opportunity was by Denver’s Jesse Martin, who hit the post with a wrist shot from point-blank range.
“We are proud of taking a point out of this rink because it’s tough to win here,” Denver defenseman Patrick Wiercioch said. “I guess coach wanted to make a statement and I think we responded to it.”
Goalie Brad Eidsness saved the Sioux, making 38 saves, including four in overtime. Marc Cheverie had 23 stops for the Pioneers.
“Brad was the key factor in getting us a point,” Hakstol said. “He did a great job of bailing out the team. Things have a way of evening out because we’ve given him some big early leads lately.”
UND took a lead on its first shot on net. Chris VandeVelde freed the puck along the boards with a big hit and then delivered a pass to Matt Frattin cutting to the net. Frattin scored from the top of the crease with less than five minutes gone.
The Pioneers gained a 1-1 tie after one period when a Chris Nutini slapshot from the blue line deflected into the net off the bodies of UND defenseman Chay Genoway and then teammate Anthony Maiani, who was credited with the goal.
The teams also swapped goals in the second period. UND’s Evan Trupp scored on a breakaway after being sent in alone on by Darcy Zajac’s pass. The Pioneers tied it in the last minute of the period on Wiercioch’s slapshot while on the power play.
Eidsness made 15 saves in the second period and 12 in the third as UND ran its unbeaten streak to eight games.
“I knew Denver would be a lot better than they were Friday, so I had to be ready,” Eidsness said. “I got four shots right off the bat and that got me into a rhythm.”
