Saturday was a night of deep breaths and “finallys” for the University of Denver at Magness Arena.
In a convincing 6-1 victory over Minnesota State, the Pioneers finally collected their first series sweep, and high-profile forwards Anthony Maiani and Beau Bennett finally scored their first goals of season.
Maiani, a senior center/wing, scored the first of DU’s two 5-on-3 power-play goals, and then added an assist and a short-handed goal to give him 100 career points. He is the 92nd member of the Pioneer Century Club.
“Finally it’s true — I feel 20 pounds lighter,” the 160-pound Maiani said of his first goal. “It’s a good thing that I got two as well, and as the season keeps going, hopefully I can keep going as well.”
Freshman Bennett, the 2010 first-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Penguins, gave the Pioneers a 3-0 lead late in the first period with his long-awaited first college tally.
“My legs and hands felt a lot better after that one,” said Bennett, 18. “As I go forward, I will continue working hard and hopefully more good things will come.”
Junior wing Luke Salazar (two goals) and freshman defenseman David Makowski (goal, two assists) helped spearhead things offensively as DU improved to 6-4-2 and 5-2-1 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.
The Mavericks, who lost 3-2 Friday on a late DU power-play goal, fell to 2-6-4, 2-6-2 WCHA.
DU went 2-of-6 on the power play and was 7-of-7 in penalty killing. Makowski’s goal also came on a 5-on-3 DU advantage, at 4:50 of the third period, to give the Pios a 5-1 lead.
Freshman goalie Sam Brittain improved to 5-3-2 in his ninth consecutive start.
DU entered the series having split its last two series, against North Dakota and Colorado College. The Pioneers also split at Vermont, won and tied against Wisconsin and were swept by Boston College.
“We got (the sweep) 12 games in but the first 10 games were tough, tough series, all of them, and we came out .500 there and now we’re sweeping teams,” Maiani said. “It’s a feeling, a good sign for the rest of the season.”
DU played without junior defenseman John Lee, who broke his left hand late in Friday’s game. Coach George Gwozdecky said Lee will not be fitted for a cast and could return to the lineup within a week or two.
Yale 5, Colorado College 1
COLORADO SPRINGS — Yale scored the first three goals and coasted to a 5-1 win over Colorado College in men’s college hockey on Saturday. Stephen Schultz notched the only goal for Colorado College (5-6-1). Yale outshot the Tigers 40-25.
The AP contributed to this report
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
DU Recap
The Post’s three stars
1. Anthony Maiani.
Senior forward had two goals and an assist to reach 100 career points.
2. Sam Brittain.
DU freshman goalie made 29 saves in his ninth consecutive start.
3. Luke Salazar.
Two goals for the junior wing from Thornton.
What you might have missed
After taking a holding minor and a 10-minute misconduct at 6:59 of the second period, DU freshman wing Jason Zucker was benched for the rest of the game. “He took it like a man,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said.
Up next
Vs. Bemidji State, Friday at Magness Arena, 7:35 p.m.
