Sticks were high; fierce hits, cross checks and glove punches were the norm; and a bench-clearing brawl nearly developed Friday night. In other words, your average North Dakota-University of Denver hockey game unfolded at Magness Arena.
This one, however, might go in the books as the most exciting contest in the arena’s 10-year history.
In the return of goalie Marc Cheverie, the third-ranked Pioneers prevailed over the No. 2 Fighting Sioux 1-0 behind the junior’s 34 saves and a goal from Denver native Drew Shore.
“It was typical of what people expected,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said. “It was emotional at times, chippy at times, very physical. Both goaltenders were outstanding. It was what both teams expected.”
Cheverie, who missed just three games in his nearly three-week rehabilitation from a calf injury, improved to 5-0 with his NCAA-leading fourth shutout. He helped kill off six North Dakota power plays; DU is 33-of-33 in penalty killing when he’s in the net.
Cheverie leads the country with a 1.05 goals-against average and .966 save percentage.
“At the end of the first (period), stuff really got wild and the last two periods were nuts,” Cheverie said. “It was really fun to play in. I felt a little tired, maybe more from my exams schedule, but overall I felt pretty good.”
Shore scored midway through the second period on a power-play tap-in, off a cross-the-crease feed from Joe Colborne. Anthony Maiani set things up, dishing Colborne a 60-foot pass from the blue line to the left circle, and the freshman Shore was left alone on the weak side.
“A really nice play by Maiani and Colborne,” Shore said. “They hit me back door. I was lucky enough to put it in. Those are the ones you like to get.”
DU thought it had a 2-0 lead late in the second period on what appeared to be a shorthanded goal by Kyle Ostrow. But one referee waved off the goal because Ostrow knocked the net off its pegs.
Emotions became heated near the end of the first period. With time winding down, North Dakota’s Brad Malone threw Tyler Ruegsegger to the ice near the Sioux bench, and a nine-player scrum developed, leading to words and shoves as players came off the bench.
A second scrum developed at the final buzzer, ending three hours of on-ice emotion.
“It’s definitely entertaining to watch and entertaining to be a part of,” Cheverie said. “Tes-tosterone gets going amongst the guys.”
The teams conclude the two-game series tonight.
“You can’t just take 20 hours and come back and play the same way,” Sioux coach Dave Hakstol said.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
DU Recap
The Post’s three stars
1. Marc Cheverie.
In his sixth appearance, the DU goalie produced his fourth shutout.
2. Drew Shore.
Freshman center from Denver scored the goal.
3. Brad Eidsness.
Sioux sophomore goalie was nearly perfect.
What you might have missed
DU played without defensemen Patrick Wiercioch (knee injury) and Cody Brookwell (illness). The Sioux’s top defenseman, Chay Genoway, did not make the trip because of what is believed to be a concussion.
Up next
Tonight, Game 2 at Magness Arena
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
