In six consecutive games and seven of their past eight, the University of Denver Pioneers rallied from a deficit to win or tie. In their most recent come-from-behind effort, they scored four consecutive goals Saturday to beat Minnesota State 4-3 in overtime at Mankato, Minn.
The triumph increased DU’s unnerving unbeaten streak to six games (3-0-3). In each game, the Pioneers trailed by at least one goal.
“I wish I could say that’s all part of the game plan,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said Monday. “The ability to respond, and come back and to not be afraid to play from behind, is just part of this team’s makeup — the mentality of this group.”
Among DU’s most impressive rallies was its 5-4 overtime victory on Dec. 3 at then-No. 1-ranked Minnesota-Duluth. The Pioneers forced OT with Jason Zucker’s goal with 1:22 remaining in regulation, then won it with Drew Shore’s tally 3:02 into the extra session.
Zucker also forced OT on Saturday with a late third-period goal before Dustin Jackson won it 21 seconds into sudden death. In Friday’s series opener, captain Kyle Ostrow scored with 1:16 left in regulation and DU settled for a 4-4 draw.
In the previous series against Northern Michigan, the Pioneers trailed 2-0 in both games before winning 5-2 and tying 2-2. Their unbeaten streak began Dec. 10 at Alaska-Anchorage, which led 3-2 early in the third period before DU won 5-3. The next night, the Seawolves had a 1-0 lead before settling for a 2-2 tie.
DU has scored first in only two of its past eight games.
“We need to try to gain a lead and build on that lead,” Gwozdecky said. “That’s been one of our challenges, but it’s certainly a great attribute to know that this group has the ability to play — and play so well — when we’re behind or the game’s on the line.”
PairWise.
The PairWise Rankings (PWR) remain unstable, but with only 12 regular-season games remaining, DU can look at the computer formula that mimics how the NCAA selection committee seeds its 16-team tournament and feel confident it has a good chance to make the field for a fourth consecutive season. The Pioneers are tied with North Dakota for second in the PWR, behind Yale. Minnesota-Duluth is fourth.
“We put ourselves in that position, and with a dozen games remaining, we’re preparing for the postseason,” Gwozdecky said.
Footnotes.
Zucker’s team-high 16 goals put him first nationally among freshmen and tied for sixth overall. . . . Shore and defenseman Matt Donovan lead DU with a plus-16 rating.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Front Range rankings
1. Denver (14-5-5, 10-3-3 Western Collegiate Hockey Association). Last week: Tied and won at Minnesota State, 4-4 and 4-3 OT. This week: Hosts Alaska-Anchorage (7-10-3, 6-8-2 WCHA) on Friday-Saturday. Comment: Pioneers are 10-1-3 in their past 14.
2. Colorado College (12-11-1, 8-8 WCHA). Last week: Lost twice at Alaska-Anchorage, 4-1 and 2-1. This week: Hosts Alabama-Huntsville (3-21-2) on Friday-Saturday. Comment: Tigers held to 18 shots, two in the third period, in Saturday’s third straight loss.
3. Air Force (9-9-3, 7-5-3 Atlantic Hockey Association). Last week: Split against Army, 5-1 win and 5-4 loss. This week: At Connecticut (7-12-3, 7-7-1 AHA) on Friday-Saturday. Comment: In position to sweep rival Army on Saturday, Falcons had 46 shots but couldn’t overcome a 3-0 deficit.
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
