Photo courtesy of DenverPioneers.com
The North Dakota Fighting Hawks came back from a 0-3 deficit and defeated the University of Denver Pioneers 5-4 Friday night
DENVER, CO– On Friday night at Magness Arena in Denver, it was hard to tell who was the home team because both Denver and North Dakota’s fans were so loud. Such is life when the No. 3 college hockey team takes on the No. 1. Much like Denver’s battle with St. Cloud State last weekend, the start to this series lived up to the hype.
Denver jumped ahead 2-0 after the first period with goals from Jake Durflinger and Jarid Lukosevicius, then they scored a short handed goal by Logan O’Connor to make it 3-0 in the second period. The Pioneers were playing well defensively against a pesky North Dakota forward group. But before the end of the second, Tanner Jalliet let in a couple of goals to Zach Yon and Joel Janatuinen and suddenly North Dakota was back in it.
? Bullseye!
Colton Poolman goes bardown to tie the game and complete a 3-goal comeback for @UNDmhockey at @DU_Hockey. #NCHCHockey pic.twitter.com/BH9hp18XGv
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) November 18, 2017
A few minutes into the third period, the Pioneers got caught in a bad change and defenseman Colton Poolman made them pay with a great wrist shot past Tanner Jalliet. Christian Wolanin scored shortly after giving the Hawks the lead. Troy Terry tied the game up for the Pioneers halfway through the third, but Johnny Simonson scored the go-ahead goal for North Dakota in the final minutes of the game to knock off the No. 1 ranked Denver Pioneers.
The-Rink caught up with North Dakota netminder and Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Peter Thome after the game.
Interview with the University of North Dakota’s Peter Thome
It sure felt like No. 3 vs No. 1 out there, didn’t it?
Yeah, you could just tell it was a heavyweight bout. They came out swinging. I thought we did a pretty good job of weathering the storm with just two goals after they came out with 21 shots in the first period. Even in the second when they went up 3-0 I think there was no panic from us. The boys really rallied and we just fought. It was an ugly road-win against the best team in the nation, but we’ll take it.
What did your team tell you after being down 2-0 in the first period?
We were obviously not happy in the locker room, but we don’t panic. We’ve been a group that teams can’t seem to put down all year. Even when we’re behind we’re level-headed and just playing our game. Eventually bounces come and we get back in the game. So there’s really no panic in our locker room, even when we’re down two or three goals like tonight.
What’s made you so successful playing in Cam Johnson‘s absence, and what have you learned from him?
First things first, the team has been great in front of me. They’ve done a really good job of limiting grade-A chances in front and clearing rebounds. And Cam’s been great. I texted him yesterday because I thought the lighting (at Magness Arena) was a little weird. I asked him if he ever had any trouble with it. He texted me back saying, “yeah it is a little weird, but you won’t notice it during the game.” That’s just one example of stuff he’s been doing for me. He’s been great even in practice. If I get beat on a play, he would come over and tell me things he notices. Obviously he’s a guy that when he speaks, you listen because he’s such a great goalie.
Any reason why North Dakota is a slow-starting team?
I don’t know if I have an answer for you. Obviously we’re playing urgent hockey in the third, but like I said before it’s urgent but we’re not panicking. We’re not gripping the stick too hard or thinking we have to score. We trust our abilities because we’ve got a team that’s got some unbelievable players. No matter what the score is, we will find a way to come back.
What’s the game plan for tomorrow?
Come out strong. Hopefully this time we can try to get a lead and go from there.