MINNEAPOLIS—Cade Fairchild had four points to lead the Minnesota Gophers to a 7-3 win over fourth-ranked Denver Saturday and a split of their two-game series.
Fairchild had a goal and three assists for the Gophers (12-12-4, 9-10-3). The loss helped knock the Pioneers from first place in Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings.
Minnesota took charge early, scoring three times in the first 12 minutes of the game and adding three more goals in the second period. The Gophers kept up the pressure all game, outshooting Denver 44-34.
Jacob Cepis and Taylor Mattson netted the first two goals less than a minute apart against freshman goalie Sam Brittain. Cepis scored at 7:22 of the first and Mattson at 8:18.
After Erik Haula scored 33 seconds into the second period for a 4-0 lead, Denver (18-7-5, 14-5-3) pulled Brittain and inserted Adam Murray, who gave up the last two goals of the period. They combined for 37 saves.
Mike Hoeffel, Nick Bjugstad and Patrick White also scored for Minnesota. Haula added two assists.
Kent Patterson had 31 saves for the Gophers.
Beau Bennett, Chris Knowlton and John Lee scored for the Pioneers.
The seven goals were the most scored by Minnesota against Denver since an 8-5 win in the 2002-03 season.
Denver’s Jon Cook received a game misconduct for checking from behind in the second period and Minnesota’s Jake Hansen and Denver’s William Wrenn got match penalty’s for a fight in the third period.
Denver beat Minnesota 2-1 on Friday to take over sole possession of first place in WCHA standings, and the Pioneers entered Saturday’s game one point ahead of North Dakota. But the loss Saturday, combined with North Dakota’s 3-1 win over Alaska-Anchorage that night, leaves the Pioneers one point behind the Fighting Sioux.
