Hobey Baker Award candidate Joey LaLeggia assisted and scored to fuel the University of Denver’s 3-1 comeback victory over St. Cloud State on Friday night, giving the Pioneers an opportunity to sweep the two-game National Collegiate Hockey Conference series at Magness Arena.
Denver (12-7-1, 5-5 NCHC) received a perfect 16-save relief performance from freshman goalie Tanner Jaillet and a third-period clinching goal from senior center Daniel Doremus to topple the Huskies, who took a 1-0 lead into the second period after chasing starting goalie Evan Cowley.
Cowley, a sophomore, was pulled 18:22 into the game after allowing a rebound goal in the paint. Cowley had stopped 10-of-11 shots, but DU coach Jim Montgomery didn’t like what he saw and called on Jaillet. The Pioneers responded.
“I didn’t think he was tracking the puck very well and that goal proved it,” Montgomery said. “Before that, there was a couple pucks he should have handled clean and he didn’t.”
Denver outshot St. Cloud State 13-3 in the second period and dominated possession time in the third. The Pioneers were 1-of-2 on the power play and killed off the only power play for the Huskies (9-11-1, 4-6).
LaLeggia assisted on Gabe Levin’s goal 2:45 into the second period and LaLeggia scored 2:14 later to give DU a 2-1 lead. Avalanche-drafted defenseman Ben Storm was in the penalty box when LaLeggia struck on the power play.
“Joey was superb tonight,” Montgomery said of the 2014 All-American. “His management of the ice is great; that’s why he’s dominant. The puck always has to come through him and when he gets it, good things happen.”
Levin’s goal came off a rebound from LaLeggia’s shot from the point. LaLeggia’s goal was a wrister from between the circles, caroming in off goalie Charlie Lindgren.
Doremus beat Lindgren backhanded, off a rebound from Trevor Moore’s shot from the right circle, 4:05 into the third period. The Pioneers cruised the rest of the way, although Jaillet faced a flurry of shots during the final minute.
The Game 2 finale is Saturday night at Magness Arena, and Montgomery said his freshman goalie will start.
Mike Chambers: mchambers@denverpost.com or
DENVER 3, ST. CLOUD STATE 1
St. Cloud State 1 0 0 — 1
Denver 0 2 1 — 3
First period — 1, St. Cloud State, Rehkamp 3 (Daly, Widman), 18:24. Penalty — Brodzinski, SC (tripping), 9:29.
Second period — 2, Denver, Levin 2 (LaLeggia), 2:45. 3, Denver, LaLeggia 7 (Heinen, Shore), 4:59 (pp). Penalty — Storm, SC (slashing), 4:14.
Third period — 4, Denver, Doremus 6 (Moore), 4:05. Penalties — Doremus, DU (interference), 7:04; Daly, SC (boarding), 12:10.
Shots — SC 12-3-12 — 27. DU 9-13-13 — 35.
Power plays — SC 0-of-1. DU 1-of-3.
Goalies — SC, Lindgren (8-10-1) 35 shots-32 saves. DU, Cowley 11-10 (18:22), Jaillet (5-2) 16-16 (41:38). A — 5,019.
