Two goals from captain Kyle Ostrow on Friday night, including one in the first nine seconds after the opening faceoff, lifted the University of Denver past Alaska-Anchorage and into first place in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.
Defending WCHA-champion DU beat the Seawolves 3-2 at Magness Arena after North Dakota lost 8-4 to visiting Nebraska-Omaha.
The win extended the Pioneers’ unbeaten streak to seven games (4-0-3) and gave them a league-most 25 points, one more than the Fighting Sioux and Minnesota-Duluth. Eleven regular-season games remain.
The all-freshman line of Beau Bennett, Nick Shore and Jarrod Mermis struck 9:22 into the third period to break a 2-2 tie. Bennett capped the superlative passing play with a one-timer off Shore’s feed from atop the right circle.
DU took a 2-1 lead into the third after replays proved that Ostrow didn’t kick the puck in on his second goal at 9:34 of the second. Ostrow and linemate Anthony Maiani skated in the offensive zone on a 2-on-1, and Ostrow flipped the puck sideways to Maiani and crashed the net. Maiani’s shot from the left circle caromed off Ostrow’s skate and behind goalie Rob Gunderson (22 saves).
Ostrow’s redirection of Maiani’s pass made it 1-0 nine seconds into the game. It was the third-quickest goal in DU history.
“It was great to get a good start tonight,” Bennett said. “We’ve been coming from behind the last couple games. So Kyle Ostrow getting those two big goals to start us off — he’s leading by example and we’re following suit.”
Alaska-Anchorage forged its second tie at 2:21 of the third period, when Matt Bailey redirected a Brett Cameron shot behind goalie Adam Murray (21 saves).
Two alarming injuries took place in the first half of the game. Seawolves freshman wing Andrew Pickering took a slap shot off the side of the head, presumably his left ear, and was carted off the ice.
Freshman Jason Zucker, who leads DU with 16 goals, missed most of the first period and some of the second after taking a shot off a leg. It was initially feared he had fractured a bone.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
DU Recap
The Post’s three stars
1. Kyle Ostrow.
Two goals and a game-high five shots for the DU captain.
2. Anthony Maiani.
Two assists for the Pioneers senior.
3. Matt Bailey.
UAA freshman center had two points, including a goal.
What you might have missed
After being ejected for checking from behind, UAA senior Tommy Grant tried to spear DU’s Dustin Jackson while skating from the penalty box to the visitor’s exit late in the first period.
Up next
Tonight, series finale at Magness Arena,
7 p.m.
