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Coach Jim Montgomery and his University of Denver Pioneers (1-1) host the Michigan State Spartans (1-0-1) in a nonconference hockey series Friday and Saturday at Magness Arena.

DU is coming off a home-and-home series split with Air Force, losing 5-4 in overtime on opening night at the Academy before winning 3-1 in its home opener in Denver. Michigan State tied Maine 3-3 and beat Lake Superior State 4-1 last weekend in Portland, Maine.

“The focus is getting better, guys getting more comfortable playing Denver hockey and players asserting themselves in new roles,” said Pioneers coach Jim Montgomery, who is beginning his third season. “With exception of about seven players on our team, everyone else is trying to find roles this year.”

The Spartans are led by senior goalie Jake Hildebrand, a 5-foot-11 four-year starter. From Butler, Pa., Hildebrand went 9-17-2 (.928 save percentage) as a freshman, 9-15-7 (.923) as a sophomore and 17-16-2 (.930) last season on poor or average teams. MSU continues to rebuild under fifth-year coach Tom Anastos.

“Quality hockey team,” Montgomery said of the Spartans. “They have very dangerous forwards and an elite goaltender who is probably going into the year as one of the top three goaltenders — if not the top goaltender — in the country.”

Montgomery said 6-5 junior goalie Evan Cowley will likely start Friday (7:30 p.m. start) and 5-11 sophomore Tanner Jaillet will protect the nets Saturday (7 p.m.). Last weekend, as well as most of last season, Cowley was the Game 2 starter, but Montgomery is switching it up because Cowley doesn’t have classes Friday and will participate in the morning skate. Jaillet’s classes will prevent him from seeing pucks at the Friday morning skate.

Here is DU’s lineup for Friday:


Trevor Moore-Quentin Shore-Dylan Gambrell


Danton Heinen-Troy Terry-Emil Romig


Evan Janssen-Gabe Levin-Logan O’Connor


Grant Arnold-Matt Marcinew-Colin Staub

Adam Plant-Nolan Zajac


Blake Hillman-Will Butcher


Matt VanVoorhis-Nick Neville

Cowley


Jaillet