For the second consecutive night, junior goalie Evan Cowley and sophomore wing Danton Heinen co-starred in a University of Denver victory over Minnesota-Duluth.
In sweeping the Bulldogs on Saturday at Magness Arena, Cowley registered 34 saves and Heinen had a goal and a primary assist in the Pioneers’ 2-1 triumph that extended their unbeaten streak to eight games (5-0-3).
In Friday’s 3-2 win, Cowley stopped 39-of-39 shots in relief duty and Heinen had two goals.
“It was great to get back between the pipes and contribute to this team,” said Cowley, who backed up sophomore Tanner Jaillet and didn’t play in six previous games before Friday. “There was a bit of a stretch there where Tanner was playing really well and we got behind him. The whole team was feeling it and I tried to be supportive, work hard and be ready when I got the chance. Tanner struggled a little bit (Friday) night and I got the opportunity. I’m pleased with the way the guys performed in front of me because they really let me take advantage of the opportunity.”
Freshman center Dylan Gambrell also had a good weekend with three points, including a goal and assist Saturday.
Similarly as important as the sweep, the Pioneers (12-7-5, 8-4-2 National Collegiate Hockey Conference) stuck together and remained strong through a chippy series that finished with three Bulldogs in the penalty box at the final buzzer Saturday. Denver is relatively undersized but didn’t back down to the bigger Bulldogs (8-10-5, 5-8-3), who were the preseason pick to win the NCHC.
“I really liked the way we did stand up to them,” DU coach Jim Montgomery said. “How the team is growing together in the dressing room, a game like this really brings you together when you face the physicality. They were playing with frustration and I liked the way we kept calm but also pushed back.”
In a game when Denver never trailed, UMD’s Tony Cameranesi scored with 7:07 remaining in the third period to cut the Bulldogs’ deficit in half.
Denver scored at 10:32 and 17:40 of the first period and it remained 2-0 after a scoreless middle frame.
Heinen’s power-play goal was a redirect atop the crease, off a hard diagonal pass from Gambrell. In reverse order, Denver took its 2-0 lead when Heinen skated the puck in the Duluth end on a 2-on-1 rush and dished to Gambrell, who wristed it home.
DU solidified its third-place standing in the eight-team NCHC and visits Miami (Ohio) on Friday and Saturday. The Pioneers need eight victories in at least 12 remaining games to extend their NCAA-record 20-win season stretch to 15 years.
Mike Chambers: mchambers@denverpost.com or @mikechambers
