The most entertaining moments of the choppy, almost force-fed weekend series between the high-profile University of Denver and hard-to-play Alaska-Anchorage hockey teams unfolded in the final minute Saturday night.
After the Pioneers dictated the final, there were fisticuffs that turned an ugly series even uglier at Magness Arena.
First, the goal that decided the game and the series — the teams tied 1-1 on Friday night — was scored with 38.9 seconds to play in regulation, when DU senior Tyler Ruegsegger cashed in on a behind- the-net, between-the-legs pass from linemate Rhett Rakhshani.
Ruegsegger’s one-time blast past Seawolves goalie Jon Olthuis gave the No. 2-ranked Pioneers a 3-2 victory that kept them alone atop the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and in good position to leapfrog Miami (Ohio) for No. 1 in this week’s national media polls.
“I knew once that puck went there, I yelled for it and I knew he would put it on my tape,” Ruegsegger said of Rakhshani’s blind pass. “I just had to be prepared to bury that shot.”
There were no postgame handshakes after this one. Ruegsegger took an unwelcome center-ice curtain call after the buzzer. After several fights broke out just after the whistle, Ruegsegger was stripped of his helmet and challenged by Chris Crowell in the neutral zone.
Crowell, a fourth-line freshman winger, was believed to be one of two UAA players to come off the bench to join in on the shenanigans after the buzzer.
“You had your group of players on the ice, and probably 15 seconds later or so all of a sudden a couple of their guys came on,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said. “I don’t think they were going on the ice to be peacemakers.”
Said Ruegsegger: “First time I’ve been in something like that. You have to defend yourself, just get a guy and hold onto him so your teammates don’t get double-teamed.”
Officials were deliberate on penalties, including possible suspensions, at press time. What they can’t change is the score.
“We didn’t play a great game tonight but we worked hard,” said Ruegsegger, who assisted on DU’s first goal to extend his career-best points streak to 11 games. “We didn’t execute perfectly but the guys cared tonight, and I think that culminated in that last goal.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
DU Recap
The Post’s three stars
1. Tyler Ruegsegger.
Had two points, including the game’s final goal.
2. Rhett Rakhshani.
DU captain contributed two assists.
3. Nick Haddad.
Seawolves junior tied it 2-2 with a midair tap-in.
What you might have missed
Denver native and DU junior defenseman Jon Cook made his season debut, playing extraordinarily well in his seventh career game.
Up next
At Wisconsin, Friday, Jan. 22, 6 p.m.
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
