One night after the University of Denver hockey team took it to Minnesota-Duluth on its home ice, the Bulldogs responded in kind Saturday, edging the Pioneers 2-1 in double overtime (3-on-3) in a game that was close only on the scoreboard.

A few takeaways:

Like wall: Sophomore Tanner Jaillet kept the Pioneers in the game, making an astounding 51 saves. “If it wasn’t for our goaltending we wouldn’t have come out with a tie (for NCAA purposes),” Coach Jim Montgomery said. “Tanner was outstanding. If our goalies play as well as they did this weekend, it bodes well going forward. The disappointing part was our team … has to win more battles and footraces.” Jaillet’s gem came on the heels of junior Evan Cowley‘s shutout Friday night. The Pioneers tag team had a shutout streak of 106:17 until the Bulldogs broke through in the third period Saturday.

Forward thinking: Why mess with success? The Pioneers’ forward changes worked well Friday. Saturday? Not so much. “They dominated us for 60 minutes,” Montgomery said. “I don’t think our forwards did much.” … From the sounds of things, fatigue might have been a factor. That amplified the Bulldogs’ speed edge, something Montgomery referenced during his postgame remarks.

D points: Adam Plant‘s first-period goal made him the fifth DU defenseman to score a goal this season, and Nolan Zajac‘s assist moved him into a tie for third (with freshman Dylan Gambrell) on the Pioneers in scoring with eight points. Will Butcher leads the team with 10 points.

Back into hibernation: DU went 0 for 4 on the power play and ended the weekend 2 for 10, which is an improvement over their first eight games. But with limited opportunities Saturday, cashing in even one of those could have made a huge difference. Meanwhile, the Pioneers’ PK remained tough, stopping all six Bulldogs chances, including a 5-minute one Friday. On the season, DU has killed off 30 of 33 penalties, a 91 percent clip.

On (to) Wisconsin: The Pioneers travel again next weekend, heading to Madison to play former WCHA rival Wisconsin on Friday and Saturday nights.

@MagnessMayhem