The University of Denver hockey team had chances to win both of its games in Boston over the weekend, yet the Pioneers came up empty after Saturday’s heart-breaking 5-4 loss in overtime.

Here are a few observations from the game and the weekend:

Early goals/Late goals: Five of the nine goals DU allowed vs. Boston College and Boston University came in the first two minutes or the last two minutes of a period, and two more came in the first or last three minutes. That is an unbelievable stat. If there is any one thing the Pioneers have to correct it’s this. The ramifications are obvious — DU is playing from behind (and thus expending more energy) much more often than not, and even when it comes back, as it did in both games, it’s short-circuited by last-minute (Friday) or first-minute (Saturday) goals. All four of BC’s tallies fell into the first/last three minutes, including the Eagles’ winner with 36 seconds left. BU’s overtime winner came 21 seconds into OT.

Special teams: The Pioneers committed 11 penalties for 30 minutes and killed off six of eight penalties. That also isn’t part of an idea formula for road success. Conversely, the power play emerged on Friday, going 2 for 4. However, it was 0 for 5 on Saturday against weaker goaltending.

On the plus side: Almost half of the lineup (nine players) registered points against BU, with defenseman Will Butcher leading the way with a goal and two assists (to go with his tying goal Friday night). Quentin Shore‘s game-tying shorthanded goal in the third period was gigantic. The scoring balance that sparked the Pioneers’ early three-game win streak returned, and that bodes well because in their previous two road games the top line did nearly all the scoring.

By the numbers: Freshman Dylan Gambrell also had a four-point weekend, adding an assist Saturday to his trio of Friday helpers. Fellow frosh Troy Terry scored his first collegiate goal Saturday. … Butcher and Gambrell now lead DU with six points apiece. Gambrell’s are all on assists, as are Trevor Moore‘s five. Matt Marcinew, Danton Heinen and Nolan Zajac also have five points after Marcinew and Zajac picked up helpers Saturday. … The Pioneers outshot the Terriers 18-5 in the third period and finish with a 38-35 shots on goal edge. That was an improvement over Friday’s 34-24 SOG deficit. Still, 69 SOG against for the weekend.

The bottom line: These two disappointing losses will be tough to swallow for a while, but it’s important to remember both came on the road against highly ranked opponents. Both games were winnable. The key for the Pioneers will be learning to close out these close games (and not putting themselves behind the eight ball right away) against better opponents because with NCHC play beginning next weekend, there will be plenty more matchups like these to come.

Next up: NCHC play begins Friday night at Magness Arena with the front end of a home-and-home series against Colorado College.

@MagnessMayhem