DENVER—Nick Shore had a goal and two assists as Denver skated past North Dakota 5-3 on Saturday to earn a split of their Western Collegiate Hockey Association series with the Fighting Sioux.
Denver increased its lead over UND for third place in the WCHA to three points with two games remaining. UND holds a two-point lead over Colorado College and Nebraska-Omaha for fourth place.
Denver survived two five-minute power plays and two player ejections. The Pioneers (19-11-4, 14-8-4) scored four goals in the second period, twice on the power play and once short-handed to take the lead into the third period.
The teams scored five times in a span of 5:23. Jason Zucker, who had a goal and assist for Denver, and Brock Nelson of North Dakota scored seven seconds apart. Nelson had two goals for the Fighting Sioux.
Chris Knowlton had a goal and assist each for Denver. He scored on a short-handed breakaway.
“I was just skating as fast as I could,” Knowlton said. “Last night they dominated us and beat us to every puck.”
North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol blamed the loss on special teams.
“Last night we established the power play early on, but we couldn’t do that tonight,” Hakstol said. “We were minus three on the power play and lost by two.”
North Dakota (18-12-3, 14-11-1) lost for just the second time in its last nine games. Danny Kristo assisted on Nelson’s second goal for his 100th career point
Juho Olkinuora made 27 saves for Denver, while Brad Eidsness had 19 saves and Aaron Dell 12 for UND.
