GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Goalie Marc Cheverie emerged from the University of Denver’s locker room Friday night with his NCAA-high sixth shutout of the season. In his postgame interview at Engelstad Arena, he made it clear that No. 7 undoubtedly won’t be as difficult.
Cheverie and the third-ranked Pioneers played spotless defense the hard way, killing off nine North Dakota power plays in a key 2-0 victory over the No. 4 Fighting Sioux.
In the two-game series opener between the rivals and at an arena in which no DU player has triumphed, DU scored twice in the first four minutes of the game before surviving a barrage of penalties that repeatedly delighted the sold-out crowd of 11,728.
In the end, there was only disappointment in Sioux Nation, which saw its team fall to 0-3 against DU and blanked for the second time by Cheverie.
“We obviously want to be more disciplined, especially on the road, but the penalty killers were great,” said Cheverie, who made 33 saves. “Guys were blocking shots, sacrificing their bodies. It’s just a huge win after a disappointing weekend at Wisconsin.”
The Pioneers (15-6-4, 11-4-4 WCHA) got goals from Joe Colborne and Tyler Ruegsegger at 1:23 and 3:18 in a fast-paced first period — perhaps the best end-to-end hockey DU has been involved in this season.
Colborne scored at the tail end of his first shift, after linemates Rhett Rakhshani and Ruegsegger changed. A blast from the point by defenseman Matt Donovan was banged around in front before Colborne deposited a backhander top-shelf.
Ruegsegger doubled the lead on his next shift, using a defenseman as a screen to beat freshman goalie Aaron Dell with a wrister from the right circle.
Dell was pulled for sophomore Brad Eidsness to begin the second period, a stretch where DU was outshot 15-2 while protecting its lead and continually short-handed.
The Pioneers were whistled for six of the first eight penalties and killed off two 5-on-3 disadvantages, including one for 1:37.
“We had a good start, which was important, and we know they’re a great team, especially in their own building,” Ruegsegger said. “We did everything right but take too many penalties, and that nearly cost us.”
Perhaps the game’s biggest penalty was called on the Sioux (13-9-5, 8-8-3). Early in the third period, Corban Knight was called for interference just after Carter Rowney beat Cheverie. Officials waved off the goal, accusing Knight of taking down DU defenseman Patrick Wiercioch.
“Personally, I think their defenseman was diving to break up the play, diving for the puck,” Sioux coach Dave Hakstol said.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
DU Recap
The Post’s three stars
1. Marc Cheverie.
DU goalie produced his 10th career shutout with a 20-save effort.
2. Tyler Ruegsegger.
Senior center scored DU’s second goal.
3. Joe Colborne.
Had the Pioneers’ first goal to quiet the crowd early.
What you might have missed
DU junior Jesse Martin suffered what is feared to be a serious upper-body injury in the first period.
Up next
Game 2 series finale, tonight, 6 p.m.
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
