Put yourself in Evan Cowley‘s skates. Yes, they’d likely be spacious given he’s 6-foot-5, but aside from that let’s put into context just how big his effort Friday in the Pioneers’ 3-2 victory over Minnesota-Duluth was.

The affable junior had not started – or played – since Dec. 12, when he was pulled early in the second period after allowing three goals on 11 shots to St. Cloud State in the Pioneers’ final meltdown in a month full of them.

He then sat calmly as coach Jim Montgomery handed the keys to sophomore Tanner Jaillet, who proceeded to go upbeaten in his first six starts of 2016. Not looking good for the netminder who grew up playing in Arvada.

Yet there he was Friday relieving Jaillet after the latter gave up two goals on the first seven shots he faced. From there, Cowley was stellar, making 39 saves – and more importantly allowing no goals – in nearly 54 minutes.

That, and Danton Heinen‘s two-goal game helped DU vanquish a Bulldogs team that was nipping at its heels in the NCHC race for home ice in the first round of the playoffs and marking its territory all over the Magness Arena ice in Game 1 of a crucial series for both teams.

More turning points: Cowley’s play was huge, but Matt Marcinew‘s goal off a feed from Grant Arnold with 4 minutes left in the first period finally slowed the Bulldogs’ charge. Remember, DU was down 2-0 at that point and was struggling to find its footing against speedy, aggressive opponent. Just 2:47 later Heinen struck to send the teams into the first intermission tied.

A game that could have been lost before the first trip to the concession stands was suddenly even. Heinen saw to it that it wouldn’t stay that way midway through the second and from there Cowley bore down and made 20 more saves.

By the numbers: Heinen’s tallies gave him eight, tying him with Marcinew for the team lead. Heinen’s points in the second half have come in bunches (see UNO series), which bodes well for Saturday’s rematch. His 18 points tie him for third on the team with Will Butcher. … Linemates Trevor Moore (two assists) and Dylan Gambrell (one) continued their 2016 scoring surges. Gambrell has nine points in seven games, while Moore has eight. Overall, Gambrell has 22 points and Moore 19.

What it means: The third-place Pioneers (7-4-2 NCHC) put some more distance between themselves and the Bulldogs (5-7-4-1) in the conference race. Miami’s victory over fifth-place UNO also helps DU. If the Pioneers win the rematch, they not only can solidify their hold on third but moving higher re-enters the conversation with upcoming series against Miami, North Dakota, Colorado College, Western Michigan and UNO. In theory, the most difficult games (NoDak, CC – which scored five goals in a row and tied NoDak in Grand Forks on Friday, and UNO) all at home.

Hey Reg, what about the goalie? The big question heading into Saturday  is does Montgomery come right back with Cowley or give Jaillet the start? The coach wasn’t about to tip his hand on the postgame show, nor should he.

I see a few potential consequences to be mindful of. Start Cowley again and what message does that send Jaillet? Six rough minutes costs you your starting job? Start Jaillet and what does Cowley think after his strongest performance of the season?

The guess – and it is only that – is that Jaillet gets the call and the goalie timeshare at least re-enters the conversation. I can’t see going away from Jaillet after he’s played so well in the first six games of the season. If he started and faltered again, that’s another story. Cowley proved Friday he should have more opportunities to lead the boys onto the ice this season.

@MagnessMayhem