Spelling or pronouncing his name is difficult, a situation the University of Denver hockey team has embraced.
Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky just goes with “Jussi,” pronounced “you-see,” the childhood nickname of freshman goalie Juho Olkinuora of Finland. The Pioneers can see that they will be in good shape between the pipes with a third-string goalie who is pegged to be the every-game starter until sophomore Sam Brittain and junior Adam Murray return from injuries in 2012.
Olkinuora made 38 saves Friday night, and brothers Drew and Nick Shore each had a goal and an assist to lead DU to a 3-0 victory over Princeton in the nightcap of a Denver Cup doubleheader at Magness Arena.
Olkinuora has produced five consecutive shutout periods since Murray went down with a serious groin injury last Saturday. Olkinuora was brought in as Murray’s backup after Brittain underwent major knee surgery June 17.
“It was a fun game, but I don’t want to get too high about it,” Olkinuora said of his first career win and shutout. “I got to thank the guys. I’m playing with confidence, and that’s the only way to go.”
The Pioneers (6-3-3) will played preseason No. 1-ranked Miami of Ohio (7-6-2) in Saturday’s tournament championship game. The RedHawks beat Providence 6-2 in Friday’s first game.
DU will be gunning for its 16th Denver Cup title in 20 years.
“It’s going to be a heck of a championship game,” Gwozdecky said. “Miami is a great team.”
First-period goals by the Shores gave the Pioneers a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes, despite being outshot 16-5 by the Tigers (2-7-1). Nick Shore redirected Zac Larraza’s centering pass 1:41 into the game to account for DU’s first shot, and Drew Shore doubled the lead during the Pioneers’ first power play at 8:29.
Freshman Joey LaLeggia made DU 2-of-3 on the power play when he cashed in on Nick Shore’s sharp pass through the crease on a bang-bang play from both sides of Princeton goalie Mike Condon late in the second period.
DU finished 2-of-5 on the power play and 6-of-6 on the penalty kill.
“There were times — in fact, the first 25 minutes or so — we weren’t very good,” Gwozdecky said. “We got up, scored twice for a 2-0 lead, but Jussi needed to be the difference for us, and he certainly was. He was really good. He was our best player and deserved the shutout, without a doubt. He gave a real inspirational effort.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
