MADISON, Wis. — With a two-goal lead early in the third period and goalie Marc Cheverie working on his third consecutive shutout against Wisconsin on Friday night, the University of Denver appeared primed to continue its mastery over the Badgers.
The top-ranked Pioneers, who went 5-0 against Wisconsin last season, seemed bound to improve on their 13-2-2 record at the triple-deck Kohl Center.
Make it 13-2-3 at the big building, after DU had to rally for a 3-3 overtime tie against the No. 3 Badgers.
“I’m torn,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said of the result, which stretches the Pioneers’ unbeaten streak to five games (3-0-2). “You have the lead. You give it up. You come back in a very difficult situation and tie it up. We did some good things, but . . . we didn’t win the game.”
Shortly after Kyle Ostrow’s backhanded redirected goal gave DU a 2-0 lead 1:56 into the third period, momentum changed quickly, with Wisconsin scoring three times in less than five minutes to bring the crowd of 12,603 to its feet.
DU’s Anthony Maiani settled them down, knotting it up with a goal at the 18:04 mark. The Pioneers produced all of the four shots in OT, but Ostrow fumbled a breakaway, and Jesse Martin and Drew Shore had good scoring chances erased by goalie Scott Gundmandson (20 saves).
“It definitely feels like a loss,” said sophomore Joe Colborne, who had DU’s first goal. “Not happy with how that ended, although we did show some character to come back. It’s going to be a battle (tonight), and we’ll be ready to go.”
John Lee’s hooking minor 3:24 into the third period began DU’s downfall. Wisconsin co-captain Blake Geoffrion struck on the power play at 4:31, and after Michael Davies’ tying goal at 7:15, Geoffrion got the go-ahead tally at 8:43 by tapping in a nice sideways feed from Jordy Murray.
“We stopped doing our game plan. They like to stretch the puck; their whole game is based on transition, and for the most part, our D-men and forwards were responsible,” Colborne said. “But I don’t know if it was a letdown after we got our second one, but we just lost a few assignments.”
Cheverie, who blanked the Badgers the last two times these teams have met, was perfect through two periods against the country’s No. 2-rated offense. Afterward, he was frustrated and disappointed.
“These meltdowns, it’s frustrating to see at this point of the season,” he said. “I can’t believe we haven’t learned our lesson already.”
Wisconsin outshot DU 20-12 after two periods but the Pioneers had more scoring chances. DU’s Patrick Wiercioch missed an open net after creating it with a fading toe-drag move in the second period. Later, captain Rhett Rakhshani shot high while alone at the doorstep.
“It was a fantastic third period, and could have been an unbelievable third period if we could have kept that lead,” UW coach Mike Eaves said. “Give our guys credit. They kept patiently persistent.”
DU remains tied with Miami (Ohio) in the PairWise (computer) Rankings. The Badgers are third.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
DU Recap
The Post’s three stars
1. Blake Geoffrion.
Wisconsin’s co-captain had two goals.
2. Anthony Maiani.
Junior DU wing had two points, including the goal that forced OT.
3. Matt Donovan.
Pioneers freshman had two assists.
What you might have missed
Marc Cheverie’s shutout streak against Wisconsin ended at 183 minutes, 10 seconds, a span covering four games. Last season, Cheverie blanked the Badgers 5-0 and 3-0 to complete a five-game sweep.
Up next
Series finale, tonight, 7 p.m.
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
