Proud parents, eh?
Frank and Donna Ostrow of Calgary, Alberta, were undoubtedly giddy Friday night, after their two sons combined for three goals in the University of Denver’s four-goal third period to begin the postseason.
Senior center Kyle Ostrow, the Pioneers’ captain, scored a power-play goal to open the floodgates, and after freshman wing Beau Bennett tied it with a highlight-reel goal, sophomore wing Shawn Ostrow struck twice in the final three minutes in DU’s 4-2 triumph over Minnesota State.
Shawn Ostrow, who made it 3-2 with just 2:25 remaining in regulation, entered the three-game, first-round Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoff series goalless on the season, and with just one in 59 career games. Kyle collected his 12th of the season and 52nd of his career.
“So proud of him,” Kyle said of his little brother, who picked up his own rebound between the circles and wristed the puck over the shoulder of Minnesota State goalie Phil Cook. “He’s battled hard all year (but) hasn’t got the bounces. I’ve been telling him all year it was going to be a clutch goal, and the way he did it tonight was just awesome.”
Shawn Ostrow’s second goal was an empty-netter, and a fortunate one at that. He collided with a defender in the neutral zone and just tried to swat the puck into the Mavericks’ zone.
“I just tried to whack at it, and I was fortunate enough that it hit his stick and went in,” he said. “I’ll take it.”
His game-winner gave DU its third win in 15 games of trailing after two periods.
“It’s been a long haul,” Ostrow said. “It feels great right now. It’s been a long year. I’ve had numerous opportunities and just haven’t been able to put them in. Hopefully now I can keep rolling and contribute throughout the playoffs.”
No. 2-seed Denver (22-10-5) will punch its ticket to next week’s league finals in St. Paul, Minn., with another victory tonight. No. 11-seed Minnesota State (14-17-6), which has lost four in a row, will try to extend its season to Game 3 on Sunday.
The Mavericks, who bused from Mankato, Minn., to Denver on a two-day trip, have been outscored 18-5 in their past four games but had control of things with 20 minutes to play Friday.
“That’s what they wanted to do. They played smart,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said. “They built on that lead and frustrated the heck out of us.”
The Mavericks struck at 10:49 and 19:58 of the first period. A strong forecheck by Evan Mosey forced DU defenseman John Lee to lose the puck behind the net, and Mosey threw it between the circles, where freshman Zach Lehrke tapped it in for his second career goal and a 1-0 lead.
Senior defenseman Kurt Davis doubled the lead with a long wrist shot through traffic on the power play with two seconds remaining in the period.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
DU Recap
The Post’s three stars
1. Beau Bennett.
Made a great individual effort to tie it at 2-2.
2. Shawn Ostrow.
Game-winning and empty-net goals.
3. John Ryder.
DU defenseman was again great in his own end.
What you might have missed
Referee Todd Anderson tripped over his skates and fell to the ice en route to the scorer’s table to review video.
Up next
Game 2, tonight at Magness Arena, 7 p.m.
