A disastrous University of Denver first period was met with a much-needed dose of inspiration Saturday night, and Jesse Martin provided the spark.
Martin, the Pioneers’ senior center and assistant captain who is recovering from a near-fatal neck injury, entered the Magness Arena ice surface with 8:27 remaining in the first period, with DU being outshot 13-4 and trailing Colorado College 2-0 in the biggest game thus far for both teams.
After being introduced by the PA announcer and greeted with a standing ovation during a scheduled television timeout, Martin spoke for about 45 seconds, thanking DU fans and others across North America for their support. The sellout crowd of 6,130 remained on their feet as Martin walked off the ice between both benches.
And then, second-ranked DU took it to the No. 20 Tigers.
The Pioneers immediately killed off a power play before scoring four consecutive goals and five of the next six to beat CC 5-3 and forge a split of the four-game, regular-season series and retain possession of the Gold Pan.
Both teams went 2-0 at home. The traveling trophy must be won outright, so DU keeps it for the eighth time in 18 years.
“I would have to give Jesse Martin a lot of credit for that turnaround,” said DU coach George Gwozdecky, whose team lost 3-2 in Colorado Springs on Friday. “His presence, you could see some guys, rather than feeling sorry for themselves, they’re cheering for Jesse, banging their sticks and making noise.”
DU also leapfrogged idle North Dakota for first place in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The Pioneers (17-6-5, 13-4-3) are tied with Minnesota-Duluth with a league-most 29 points, one head of the Sioux.
CC (16-13-1, 10-10) remains sixth. Eight games remain.
“It’s pretty inspirational to see Jesse out there,” said DU freshman center Nick Shore, who scored at 17:16 and 18:23 (power play) to tie it at 2-2. “It got everyone going.”
Shore’s two goals within 1:07 led to second-period goals by Jarrod Mermis and Luke Salazar to put the Pioneers ahead 4-2. And after Scott Winkler struck for CC, Drew Shore scored a power-play goal to give DU its second two-goal cushion.
CC dominated a scoreless third period.
“That was a surprise to us, we didn’t know that was coming,” Tigers coach Scott Owens said of the Martin moment. “Great, great gesture (but) we were (going) on the power play … As much as the Martin thing, we had two power-play chances and we didn’t convert, and that probably changed the momentum.”
Still, DU unquestionably had great puck luck after Martin’s speech.
Each of the Shore brothers notched a power-play goal off a CC defenseman. Nick’s second goal caromed off Gabe Guentzel and Drew’s banked in off Ryan Lowery.
DU defenders blocked 22 shots and goalie Sam Brittain had 36 saves.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
DU Recap
The Post’s three stars
1. Nick Shore.
DU freshman center scored twice within 1:07 to tie the score at 2-2.
2. Jarrod Mermis.
Freshman wing plowed over a 6-foot-4, 210-pound CC defenseman for a highlight-reel goal.
3. Mike Boivin.
CC defenseman had a goal and six shots.
What you might have missed
Former NHL players Craig MacTavish, who coached the Edmonton Oilers from 2000-09, and Brian Engblom, a studio host for Versus and Altitude, were in attendance.
Up next
DU visits Minnesota on Friday; CC hosts Minnesota State.
