The University of Denver Pioneers and the Omaha Mavericks met for a rematch after a dominant Pioneers 8–4 victory on Friday night. This was no common contest, though, as the game was split into two days after ice issues caused the game to be delayed after the first period of play. In the end, Omaha claimed a 4–3 win on Sunday afternoon.
The basics
Score: Denver 3, Omaha 4
Location: Denver
Records: Denver (8–3–1), Omaha (6–3–1)
How it happened
— There was no scoring by either team after a rough-and-tumble first period. Denver led Omaha in shots on goal 9–6. However, when the players came out after the first intermission, the ice behind Pioneer net was in horrible condition. After a lengthy delay, it was determined that the ice was unsafe for the players and officials and the game was suspended to Sunday with an undetermined time.
— Just over a minute into the restart, Denver attempted to clear the puck out of the zone unsuccessfully. Omaha pushed it down to the corner, where Jimmy Glynn carried the puck out and sent it to the front of the crease for Matt Miller to finish the job for a 1–0 Omaha lead.
— Roughly three minutes later, Cale Ashcroft gathered the puck for Denver to start a breakout behind their own net. Omaha’s forecheck was relentless at this point, and Brock Bremer stole the puck from Ashcroft. Bremer tossed it to Jesse Lansdell, who dribbled it in front of the net, teasing Freddie Halyk. Lansdell passed it between the lags to Ty Mueller and he finished the job to make it 2–0.
— Just over halfway through the second period, a face-off forced the puck down into the Denver zone. Carter Kink led the breakout and gave a leading pass up to Jared Wright in the middle of the ice. Wright whipped a beautiful backhand shot of the goalie to get the Pioneers on the board at 2–1.
— Five minutes later, Denver was killing off a penalty. Omaha tried to enter the Denver zone but miffed on the pass. Rieger Lorenz took off down the ice to find the back of the net for his first career shorthanded goal, knotting the score at 2–2.
— With just two minutes left in the second, Omaha won a face-off in the Denver zone. Tanner Ludtke gathered the puck at the top of the slot and threw a snap shot on net past Halyk to restore Omaha’s lead at 3–2.
— The final nail in the coffin came with only five seconds left in the second period. Omaha dumped the puck in to chase it down and collect it behind the Pioneers’ net. It was thrown out to Lansdell for the wrister, but stopped in front. As the puck lay in the crease, Joaquim Lemay drove the net and slapped it in to make it 4–2.
— The last goal of the day came early in the third from the Pioneers. Miko Mitkka drove down the far side and toward the net to force it past the goalie for the final of 4–3.
DU leaders
Goals: Wright (1), Lorenz (1), Matikka (1)
Assists: King (1), Z. Buium (1), Broz (1), S. Buium (1)
Points: Wright (1), Lorenz (1), Matikka (1), King (1), Z. Buium (1), Broz (1), S. Buium (1)
Up next
The Denver Pioneers will continue their homestand over the Thanksgiving holiday with a two-game set against Ivy League Yale University. The Bulldogs will come into Magness Arena with a challenge ahead of them as their record is 1–4.
Highlights
Due to ice conditions, tonight’s game is suspended. The game will resume tomorrow at a time to be announced.
Tickets from tonight will be valid for tomorrow’s game or can be exchanged to a future game.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) November 19, 2023
Jared Wright takes the breakout pass from Carter King and shoots it high glove to make it 2-1 Omaha #GoPios @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/RC7NEEUiMs
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) November 19, 2023
Rieger Lorenz steals the puck in his own zone and takes off for the shorty! Tied at 2! #GoPios @TheRinkColorado pic.twitter.com/xZNPHHhaC5
— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) November 19, 2023
Miko Matikka just tucks it past the goalie's pads to make it a 4-3 game.
He extends his goal streak to five games–tied for the longest of the season by a Pioneer. pic.twitter.com/xElEfLxYbd
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) November 19, 2023