Minnesota-Duluth rallied twice from two-goal deficits Friday night to forge a much-deserved 3-3 overtime tie against the University of Denver at Magness Arena.
The No. 8-ranked Pioneers, who played for the third consecutive game without sophomore winger Beau Bennett (wrist injury), led 3-1 before allowing power-play goals at 15:45 of the second period and 15:55 of the third.
DU was outplayed for larges stretches in the final 30 minutes and saw its winless streak go to three games (0-1-2).
Defending NCAA champion UMD, which enjoyed the game’s final three power plays and drew six of the last eight penalties, increased its unbeaten streak to five games (3-0-2).
“Special teams were the big difference. I thought their special teams beat our special teams,” said DU coach George Gwozdecky, whose team went 0-of-5 on the power play. “First 30 minutes, we were pretty good. Last 30 minutes, they took over the game.”
Sophomore center Nick Shore led DU with three assists and junior goalie Adam Murray made a career-high 43 saves. Bulldogs senior defenseman Brady Lamb had the game-tying power-play goal on a one-time slap shot when DU defenseman David Makowski was serving a tripping minor with 4:05 remaining in regulation.
The Pioneers (3-2-2, 2-1-2 WCHA) led 2-0 and 3-1. The latter advantage was cut in half with Travis Oleksuk’s back-door tap-in off a cross-crease pass from J.T. Brown 37 seconds into John Ryder’s hooking minor, a seemingly harmless tug the DU defenseman thought was embellished by a Bulldogs forward.
Shore was an offensive machine in the first 24 minutes, setting up Jarrod Mermis and Chris Knowlton goals in the first period and Daniel Doremus’ marker 3:33 into the second.
Knowlton’s goal was a beauty, a top-shelf shot on a breakaway after Shore stole the puck in the neutral zone to create a 2-on-1 rush and ultimately springing Knowlton ahead of the defenseman.
Doremus’ goal was pure grit. Shore’s backhand through the crease was whacked in while the freshman from Aspen was falling to his stomach.
Bennett, who was injured from a teammates skate blade during practice last week, amassed six points in his first four games and is questionable for tonight’s two-game series finale.
“We’ll see after the morning skate,” Gwozdecky said of Bennett’s possible availability.
Bennett is a first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins who is likely playing his final season in Denver. He has played most of his brief college career on the Nick Shore-centered line, and on this fall’s top power-play unit with Drew Shore, Nick Shore, Jason Zucker and David Makowski.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
DU Recap
The Post’s three stars
1. Nick Shore.
The DU sophomore center had three assists.
2. Brady Lamb.
Bulldogs defenseman had the game-tying goal and was terrific in his own end.
3. Adam Murray.
DU junior goalie made a career-high 43 saves.
What you might have missed
DU had three players from Colorado Springs in the lineup, including junior forward Chris Knowlton, who came off a suspension to make his season debut.
Up next
Game 2 series finale, 7 tonight, Magness Arena
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
