Generously listed at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, freshman Joey LaLeggia played a big role in the University of Denver’s latest offensive explosion at Magness Arena.
The spitfire young defenseman from Joe Sakic’s hometown of Burnaby, British Columbia, had a hand in three consecutive goals as the Pioneers pounded Nebraska Omaha 7-3 on Friday night to begin a two-game Western Collegiate Hockey Association series.
“I just try to contribute to the team in every way I can, whether it’s making a defensive play or an offensive play,” said LaLeggia, who had a goal and two assists in DU’s five-goal second period.
LaLeggia, 19, has begun his NCAA career the way he left his extraordinary junior-A days in the British Columbia Hockey League. Last season, he produced 82 points (20 goals) in 58 games for the Penticton Vees, leading all BCHL defensemen in scoring and finishing fifth overall.
He is averaging a point per game as a Pioneer, with 10 points (five goals) in 10 games.
“Joey isn’t the biggest guy, but he’s a very strong skater and he’s got great offensive intelligence,” said DU coach George Gwozdecky, whose team led 7-3 after the second period.
Denver (5-3-2, 4-2-2 WCHA) has scored at least five goals in three of its last five home games, including a 5-4 win against Colorado College last Saturday. The Pioneers go for their second WCHA sweep and third consecutive win tonight against the Mavericks (6-6-1, 5-3-1).
After a back-and-forth first period that saw DU blow 1-0 and 2-1 leads, the Pioneers jumped ahead 4-2 with a rebound tuck-in goal by Jarrod Mermis and Chris Knowlton’s redirection off a David Makowski blast from the point.
Knowlton’s goal came off the faceoff, after a Mavericks timeout to regroup because they had just iced the puck and couldn’t complete a line change.
Shortly thereafter, Nick Shore’s blind back-handed pass to a Mavericks defender in the DU offensive zone led to Terry Broadhurst’s team-leading 12th goal to cut the UNO deficit to 4-3.
But it was all Pioneers — particularly LaLeggia — the rest of the period. LaLeggia scored on a fancy give-and-go with Drew Shore at 12:10, assisting on Drew Shore’s one-time blast at 15:54 and on Nick Shore’s 5-on-3 power play goal at 17:30.
He is one of three freshman defensemen, but he has played every game.
“I’m just trying to do my job and stay in the lineup,” he said.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
RECAP
The Post’s three stars
1. Joey LaLeggia.
Goal and two assists for the DU freshman defenseman.
2. Nick Shore.
Two goals for the Pioneers sophomore center.
3. Shawn Ostrow.
DU junior center had a goal and was 14-5 in faceoffs.
What you might have missed
Despite surrendering seven goals in the first two periods, Nebraska Omaha didn’t pull sophomore goalie John Faulkner.
Up next
Game 2 series finale, tonight at Magness Arena, 7
