It took Matt Donovan 14 seconds to make a difference on the University of Denver’s power play.
Donovan, one of three highly recruited freshmen defensemen for the No. 2-ranked Pioneers, entered Sunday night’s exhibition game against the University of Calgary as one of the country’s top puck-moving newcomers from the back end.
He proved it early.
Just 14 seconds into DU’s first power play, Donovan and Rhett Rakhshani produced a nice passing sequence that led to a Tyler Ruegsegger goal and a 1-0 lead. The Pioneers built a 3-0 lead with two more power-play goals and held on to win 3-2 at Magness Arena.
Donovan, from Edmond, Okla., joined Denver after a sensational two-year junior-A career with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League. Last season, he led all USHL defensemen with 51 points (19 goals) in 57 regular-season games, with a team-high 10 power-play goals.
He’s coming off a busy summer. In addition to participating in the New York Islanders’ prospect camp, he survived the preliminary cut for Team USA’s World Junior roster. The Islanders’ 2008 fourth-round draft selection is a strong candidate to don the red, white and blue at the prestigious World Junior Championship in December.
“I think my role here is the same since I’ve been playing hockey, and that’s to play solid defensively and contribute offensively as much as I can,” Donovan said. “(Producing points) has always been a part of my game and I expect it to continue here. I have the confidence of knowing I can do that.
“What I did this summer with USA Hockey really helped. The speed is pretty much the same, because I was playing with major-junior guys and a bunch of guys that already played college.”
DU played Sunday without offensive stars Anthony Maiani (suspended) and Patrick Wiercioch (illness) but still had its way with the Dinos. The Pioneers produced 40 of the game’s 54 shots, including goals by Kyle Ostrow and Joe Colborne. Rakhshani, the captain, had three assists.
No. 3 goalie Lars Paulgaard surrendered Calgary’s third-period goals.
“It was a good game and I was glad they didn’t give up,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said. “They made it tough on us and tested us in the third. Good warm-up.”
DU opens the season Friday, beginning a two-game series against visiting Vermont.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
