Denver Pioneers, Miami Redhawks deadlock at two

Highlights

Troy Terry, 2015 5th rd pick of the Ducks, with some sweet handles on a goal for @DU_Hockey pic.twitter.com/ETcuQGXV3b

— Brett Markowitz (@brett_0) November 19, 2016

Nice toe drag by Sharks 2016 2nd rd pick Dylan Gambrell for @DU_Hockey and the wide open net is missed: pic.twitter.com/toMh45wHUP

— Brett Markowitz (@brett_0) November 19, 2016

Sweet goal by Ducks 2015 5th round pick for @DU_Hockey: pic.twitter.com/PSZ5ohURyz

— Brett Markowitz (@brett_0) November 20, 2016

Been impressed with Tanner Jaillet of @DU_Hockey in the games I’ve seen…big save in 3 on 3 OT pic.twitter.com/cdZTRZs7jx

— Brett Markowitz (@brett_0) November 20, 2016

Game Rundown

Saturday night felt a bit like deja vu as the DU Pioneers picked up where they left off last night, bombarding the Miami Redhawks mercilessly and keeping the shots against to a minimum. The teams also went through two overtimes and a shootout both nights, and Miami’s Ryan Larkin put up a stellar performance against the top-rated team in the league.

Unlike last night, the Pioneers started things off tonight with an early goal during a five-minute power play. Redhawks’s forward Conor Lemirande received a major penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. DU’s Dylan Gambrell picked up a rebound from a Troy Terry shot and wristed the puck past Miami goaltender Ryan Larkin. It took the Redhawks over seven minutes to get a shot on net, giving fans an early glimpse at the tone for the night.

Penalties were numerous during the period on both sides of the puck, and by the end of the first, the two teams had racked up nearly 30 minutes of them with Miami dominating in that area to the tune of 21 minutes. It was the only area in which the Redhawks dominated, as the score and shot totals both favored Denver.

With the only goal on the night thus far, the Pioneers skated out with confidence to start the second period. Miami bit back, though, nabbing the equalizing goal at the 3:24 mark with Willie Knierim doing the honors. The ice didn’t really tilt in Miami’s favor as a result of the goal, however, and the penalties and shots against continued. Hard work and pressure eventually paid off for the Pioneers as Terry put his team back on top, and the teams left the ice for the second intermission with Denver up two goals to one.

Play shifted in the third, with the Redhawks getting the better of the Pioneers in shots and effort. They outworked Denver in every area, and it ended up costing the home team. Late in the period, a Miami defender held in a puck at the blueline just a hair onside and set up a scrambling play that left Denver out of position. The puck ended up behind Tanner Jaillet, and Miami sent the game into overtime for the second time in as many days.

Two overtime periods were not enough to decide this one, so the teams went to the shoot out…again. In the end, Denver got the lone goal in the fourth round and took the extra point into the standings with them. In the weird way that college hockey works, however, the official score was a 2-2 tie.

Three Stars

1. Ryan Larkin (49 saves)

2. Troy Terry (1g, 1a)

3. Dylan Gambrell (1g)

Quote of the Night

(The Redhawks) came with a push (in the third period). They changed the way they were playing. They came a lot harder on the forecheck, and they were holding lines more than they were previously. It surprised our players. We just didn’t manage the puck very well. – Jim Montgomery, DU Head Coach

Up Next

The Pioneers head down to Colorado Springs next week for a Black Friday tilt against the Air Force.