After making consecutive high-anxiety weekend trips to college hockey’s most intimidating venues the past two weekends, the second-ranked University of Denver managed to avoid an all-out letdown Friday night against an inferior nonleague opponent at Magness Arena.
The Pioneers (17-6-4) convincingly beat Mercyhurst (12-15-2) in every area but the scoreboard. Not much about DU’s 4-1 victory will likely be included in the highlight film, but the Pioneers — coming off an impressive 2-1-1 stretch at Wisconsin and at North Dakota — were just pleased to avoid what would have been a monumental upset.
“You’re always happy to win, no matter the situation, no matter who you’re playing,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said. “I thought we played a good first 30 minutes, (but) a combination of sloppy play on our part and Mercyhurst cranking it up . . . they had us scrambling.”
Junior forward Anthony Maiani, moved to center because of injuries to Jesse Martin and Brian Gifford, paced the Pioneers with a goal and two assists. Maiani is red-hot over his last five games, producing nine points (two goals).
He set up first-period goals by freshman Chris Knowlton and sophomore Luke Salazar before scoring his fifth goal of the season 8:59 into the second. Maiani, who led DU in scoring last season, is closing in on returning as a point-per-game player. He has 23 points in 25 games.
DU also received a good showing from backup goalie Adam Murray, a freshman whose previous appearance was Nov. 7 in a 7-3 loss at Alaska-Anchorage. Murray was terrific in the third period, when DU’s offense went into a slumber.
“I’m really glad to see Adam play that well,” Gwozdecky said.
After the Pioneers outshot the Lakers 35-17 after two periods, Murray nearly earned his first career shutout with a handful of top-notch saves. However, Grant Blakey’s tap-in goal ruined that with 4:51 to play.
First-line winger Joe Colborne scored 42 seconds later to re-establish DU’s three-goal lead.
Earlier, Knowlton scored his second career goal while experimenting on the No. 2 power-play unit. Salazar, who had 15 goals as a freshman, had his first tally of the season.
Colorado College 2, Air Force 0
COLORADO SPRINGS — Goalie Joe Howe stopped all 20 shots he faced to lead the Tigers to a victory over the Falcons.
Mike Testwuide and Tim Hall had goals for Colorado College (16-10-3). Hall’s goal came on a power play, giving the Tigers an extra-strength goal in five consecutive games.
Air Force (12-11-6) had its chances but failed to score on seven power- play opportunities.
After a scoreless first period in which Air Force goalie Andrew Volkening made 11 of his 26 saves, the Tigers scored in each of the last two periods.
Rylan Schwartz assisted on both goals for the Tigers.
On the winner, the Falcons turned the puck over at their blue line, and Schwartz collected the loose puck. He fed Testwuide coming down the slot for his 17th goal of the season.
Denver Post wire services
