No. 4 Pioniers Defeated No. 10 CC Tigers 2-1

DENVER The No. 4 University of Denver hockey team earned a 2-1 victory Saturday night at Magness Arena to close the first of two series this season against the No. 10 Colorado College Tigers.

Junior forward Aidan Thompson scored the equalizer 2:35 into the middle stanza, and second defender Cal Ashcroft recorded his second game-winning goal of the season at 5:28 of the third period. Freshmen forward Hagen Burrows and second defender Eric Pohlkamp had assists on Ashcroft's marker.

“It was a great rebound,” he said Richard and Kitzia Goodman hockey head coach David Carl. “I love the maturity, love the digging in. The boys played great; they played for each other, and that's what we challenged them to. It wasn't an easy game; they're a good hockey team over there on the other side. Just me I'm proud of the effort I made. It's good to get a win here in the break.”

Senior goalkeeper Matt Davis led a strong defensive attack for the Pioneers (14-4-0, 4-4-0 NCHC), making 20 of the 21 saves the Tigers (10-5-1, 4-3-1 NCHC) made his way sent to . The only puck that got past him was one he didn't see, as Ty Gallagher's shot midway through the opener was the result of a screen.

After Thompson scored unassisted on his own rebound late in the second period, the two rival teams remained tied for nearly 23 minutes through the second and third periods until Ashcroft buried his shot from the right circle after a pass from Burrows.

CC's Tyler Dunbar was assessed a major and five-minute game misconduct in the second period for a hit from behind on Denver freshmen James Reederbut the Pioneers were unable to take advantage of the extended man advantage. Neither team scored on the power play.

Tigers goalkeeper Kaiden Mbereko saved 22 of 24 shots in the defeat.

The Gold Pan series is now tied at 1-1 after CC won 5-4 in Colorado Springs on Friday night. Denver has won the Gold Pan five straight seasons, and Colorado College must win the regular-season finals series on March 7 and 8 to win the trophy.

NEXT: The Pioneers are halfway through their season and are now heading off for their two-week vacation. DU hosts UNLV in an exhibition on Saturday, December 28 at Magness Arena before resuming the regular season on January 3 and 4 at No. 5 Maine.

POSTGAME NOTES

• Saturday's game marked the 343rd all-time meeting between Colorado College and DU, with Michigan and Michigan State creating the most closely played rivalry in college hockey history.
• The Pioneers are now 15-3-0 in their last 18 games against Colorado College and have won 11 straight games against the Tigers in Denver and 10 straight at Magness Arena (Jan. 27, 2023 at Ball Arena).
• This weekend marked the second straight season that both Denver and CC were in the top 10. Last season, in their March matchup, they were ranked the same as they are now.
• Cal Ashcroft scored his second goal of the season, and both were the first of his career.
• Aidan Thompson His career high of 11 goals was achieved earlier last season.
• Jack Devine and Buium both dropped their assist streaks. Buium had a season-long five-game streak (0g/7a), while Devine's eight-game streak (1g/10a) tied a career high.
• With the win, the Pioneers complete the first half of the season with a winning percentage of .777, tying the program's best mid-regular season mark over the past 20 years (also 2022-2023, 2007-08).
• Eric Pohlkamp appeared in his 50th career game
• The Pioneers are now 3-1-0 this season in their 75th Anniversary jerseys. Both teams wore throwback uniforms and will wear the same combination in Saturday's game.
• Defender Zeev Buiumhead coach David Carlequipment manager Nick Meldrum and director of hockey operations Travis Culhane will head to USA Hockey's World Junior Training Camp in Plymouth, Michigan, on Sunday to prepare for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship starting December 26.

PURPOSE SUMMARY
1st Period

9:49 CC (0-1) Ty Gallagher went with a shot into the top right corner Matt Davis was shown at the front.

2nd Period

2:35 DU (1-1) Aidan Thompson picked up a loose puck after a CC player smelled it at the blue line and then scored off his own rebound after his initial shot was blocked in front.

3rd Period

5:28 DU (2-1) Hagen Burrows carried the puck from below the goal line to Cal Ashcroftwho shot the puck into the top corner from the upper right circle.

QUOTABLES
Richard and Kitzia Goodman hockey head coach David Carl
On Cale Ashcrofts game winning goal: “It was a workman's team, we had a lot of that tonight… The second period was good, we were able to possess more pucks in the offensive zone. The boys put it on the line, the boys blocked shots, also using their bodies proud of the group, very happy for them that we got the win tonight.”

Going into halftime with a victory: “It gives a blueprint, an identity for what we have to do. Not every match is going to be a 5-2 win. We are going to find ways to win, different ways and commit to them. To limit them to By the number of shots that we've done, playing a really tight game is good growth and maturity for our team.”

Second defender Cal Ashcroft
To the game winning goal: “It was a great feeling. Especially going into the Christmas holidays you want to end with a win, so it was a great feeling. Guys worked really hard tonight. Great feeling to get that win.”

About how yesterday's defeat motivated the team for tonight's game: “We've really tried to stick together as a team and stick to the process that we know works here. There was a lot of emphasis on digging in and sticking to what we're doing here.”

About strategies used in the game: “We did a really good job towards the end by managing the puck well. We weren't trying to do anything fancy, we were just making a difficult, simple play. That was the right decision most of the time.”

Junior forward Aidan Thompson
About changes from last night: “I think we just had a lot more energy; maybe it was the home crowd or the pumped feeling after a defeat. We just had a lot more energy that fueled us and helped us score more.”

On when the momentum changed after his goal: “I'm not sure if it was the specific difference maker, but I would say it definitely helped. Every time we get a point on the board it's always good, so guys have fed off of it. It was a good turning point.”

About playing a strong defensive third period: “We've just seen the finish line. When you're almost there, it gives you some extra energy and that helped us get through in the end.”

CARDS: A limited number of tickets are available for Denver hockey's 75th anniversary in 2024-25. Click here purchase and for more information.