Since scoring on what is being considered the longest short-handed, non-empty-net shot in the history of organized hockey, David Makowski has become a star on television and the Internet.
Makowski, a University of Denver freshman defenseman, scored from approximately 190 feet in a 5-1 victory over Michigan Tech on Saturday night.
Just after DU’s John Ryder was sent to the penalty box for delay of game and a faceoff was ordered in the Pioneers’ end beside goalie Adam Murray, Makowski took a faceoff win from Drew Shore and sent a high wrist shot over the players in front of him. His skates were well behind the goal line, which is 5 feet from the back boards.
Magness Arena is an NHL-standard 200 feet in length.
Huskies goalie Kevin Genoe apparently lost sight of the puck while it was in the air and was too late to stop it after it made an awkward bounce.
“It was hard to see from where I was, but it looked like it took a wild bounce, and the ice was pretty choppy all night,” Makowski said.
Makowski and DU coach George Gwozdecky both said they have witnessed similar goals but were nevertheless shocked at this one.
When Makowski played junior-A in St. Louis, he said a teammate made a similar shot.
Said Gwozdecky: “Chris Chelios, when he was a Wisconsin Badger (1981-83), scored an almost identical goal to that in Madison against North Dakota. It’s one of those rare things where, the way he shot it, it got up in the air, and with the backdrop, (Genoe) might have lost it.”
The goal gave DU a 3-1 lead.
“We’re defending a one-goal lead and it’s a huge swing,” Gwozdecky said. “We get the goal and they don’t tie it up. That’s a huge, huge swing.”
Tough travels.
The Colorado College Tigers had 21 hours together to think about their one-point weekend at Bemidji State. Because of a Minnesota blizzard, several canceled flights and a forecast of more of the same, CC on Sunday took a 21-hour bus ride from Bemidji to Colorado Springs.
“The prospect of spending 2 1/2 days at the Minneapolis airport hotel didn’t appeal to us,” CC coach Scott Owens told The Gazette.
Footnote.
With four remaining regular-season games, DU freshman Jason Zucker still is in position to win the Western Collegiate Hockey Association scoring title. He has a league-high 32 points (18 goals) in 24 WCHA games. Minnesota-Duluth junior Jack Connolly is second (31 points), and North Dakota senior and DU sophomore Drew Shore are tied for third (29).
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
Front Range rankings
1. Denver, 19-8-5, 15-6-3 Western Collegiate Hockey Association
Last week: Split against Michigan Tech, 3-2 loss and 5-1 victory.
This week: At Nebraska-Omaha (19-11-2, 15-7-2 WCHA) on Friday and Saturday.
Comment: Pioneers bracing for rivalry-in-waiting series at Omaha.
2. Colorado College, 17-15-2, 11-12-1 WCHA
Last week: Tied and lost at Bemidji State, 5-5 and 2-1.
This week: Hosts Minnesota-Duluth (19-7-5, 14-6-4 WCHA) on Friday-Saturday.
Comment: Tigers fall out of top six, home-ice playoff position with four remaining games.
3. Air Force, 14-11-6, 12-7-6 Atlantic Hockey Association
Last week: Swept at Mercyhurst, 5-3 and 6-5.
This week: Hosts Robert Morris (18-9-5, 13-7-5 AHA) on Friday and Saturday. Comment: Falcons head into their final two regular-season games after winning back-to-back games for the first time in 2011.
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
