It’s all too apparent that the University of Denver will go as far as the Pioneers’ prized freshmen will take them. On Friday night, two newcomers stood out as DU opened Western Collegiate Hockey Association play with a 4-2 victory over Wisconsin.
Freshman Jason Zucker had two goals, including the game-winner after suffering an injury from a penalized hit to the head, and classmate Sam Brittain made 26 saves in an exciting game before a crowd of 5,328 at Magness Arena.
With its first win at home, DU snapped a three-game winless streak and improved to 2-2-1. Wisconsin fell to 3-2 heading into tonight’s finale of the two-game WCHA series.
“Overall, you’re pleased with the win and the effort — and knowing full well we’ll correct some things from tonight’s game and go from there,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said.
Zucker, who didn’t play for the last half of the second period after taking a crosscheck to the head from Wisconsin forward Craig Smith, broke a 2-2 tie 6:43 into the third. Zucker took a long lead pass from defenseman John Lee and skated into the Badgers’ end by himself and beat goalie Scott Gudmandson with a backhander from atop the crease.
Sophomore center Drew Shore, who set up Zucker’s first goal, added a redirection goal midway through the period to account for the final margin.
Wisconsin got both its goals on the power play, including the latter 28 seconds into the third to tie it at 2-2.
DU went 1-of-8 with the man-advantage and is just 2-of-29 this season. Diminutive forward Luke Salazar produced the Pioneers’ first power-play goal in 24 opportunities at home to give DU a 2-1 lead. Nothing fancy about it, Salazar just managed to change direction on David Makowski’s blast from atop the circle.
Aside from the power play, which failed to convert on a 5-on-3 for 2:00 during Smith’s tripping and roughing minors in the second period, Gwozdecky had no complaints.
“I thought for the most part, we moved the puck out of the zone well, our transition game was in pretty good shape and we were able to hem them in sometimes,” he said.
Zucker gave DU a 1-0 lead 6:35 into the game. Thanks to Shore, Zucker found the puck on his stick below the left circle, where he one-timed it top shelf, near side. Shore made the pass after his forecheck created a turnover, and he slid the puck to Zucker from beside the net.
Wisconsin tied it with a power-play goal at 17:46. Junior wing Jordy Murray produced his team-best fifth goal with a backhander from the weak side, after defenseman John Ramage’s indirect slap-shot pass off the end boards.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
RECAP
The Post’s three stars
1. Jason Zucker.
DU freshman wing had his first two career goals, including the game-winner on a breakaway.
2. Drew Shore.
The Pioneers’ sophomore center from Denver had a goal and an assist.
3. John Lee.
The junior was DU’s best defenseman and assisted on the game-winning goal.
What you might have missed
DU freshman wing Beau Bennett, who was selected by Pittsburgh with the 20th overall pick in the most recent NHL draft, shot wide at an empty net in the final minute and has yet to produce his first career point.
Up next
Wisconsin, tonight, Magness Arena,
7 p.m.
