It appeared a trap might be set early, but No. 10 DU would have none of it Thursday night, eventually emerging with a 4-1 victory over Colorado College at World Arena.

The Pioneers (16-8-5, 12-5-2 NCHC) erupted for three third-period goals after largely dominating the first two periods but having just a 1-1 tie to show for it.

Trevor Moore gave DU its first lead 6:43 into the third while on a power play, following up shots by Will Butcher and Dylan Gambrell to lift a backhander over Tigers goalie Jacob Nehema. The tally was DU’s first with the man advantage in nine periods.

Troy Terry and Danton Heinen, the third member of the Pacific Rim Line with Gambrell and Moore, scored 1:27 apart late in the third to salt away the Pioneers’ ninth win and 12th game with points  in 13 contests in 2016. The PRL line accounted for seven points, a goal by each member, and has 25 points in the past three games. The trio has 62 points in the 13 games in 2016.

“In the third period we elevated our game higher,” DU coach Jim Montgomery said. “We were moving, they were standing still clogging the middle.”

Terry, who used his speed and stick handling to create a handful of excellent chances, cashed in on one with 2:43 to play. He took a pass from Butcher exiting the DU zone, picked up speed through the neutral zone and ultimately beat the Tigers defense to Nehema, sliding the puck under his fellow freshmen’s pads.

Heinen scored on a similar play to the one in which he set up Gambrell in the first period. This time Gambrell took a pass from Moore below the goal line and found his right wing between the circles. Heinen wasted no time making it 4-1.

Tanner Jaillet started and stopped six of seven shots. However, the sophomore did not return for the second period due to what was reported to be an illness. Junior Evan Cowley replaced Jaillet and stopped all 21 shots he faced.

“He was great,” Montgomery said. “I told Evan this morning, ‘You’re practicing great this week. If we need you I know you’re going to be great for us.’ ”

Overall, DU has won four in a row and six of seven. It has defeated CC seven consecutive times over the past two seasons.

Mr. Zero: While not quite in Frank Brimsek territory (the Hall of Fame Boston goaltender who had six shutouts in his first seven games), Cowley continued an impressive streak in relief appearances. With 21 saves Thursday, he has stopped all 60 shots he’s face in his past two sub situations. He stopped 39 in the opener against Minnesota-Duluth after relieving Jaillet early in the first period. Cowley also shut out UMD earlier this season.

Cowley has allowed just three goals in four appearances in 2016.

More numbers: While the Pioneers’ held just a 33-28 edge in shots on goal, their shots-attempted margin was far higher – 63-39. … After trailing in face-offs the first two periods, the Pioneers righted that stat in the third and finished slightly ahead, 28-26. It’s no coincidence that once they started with possession more often (13-9 advantage in the third) the goals followed.

Up next: The Pioneers and Tigers take it outdoors to Coors Field on Saturday. The first college hockey game in Colorado’s history faces off at 6 p.m.

“Now it’s time to have some fun,” Montgomery said. “We’ll go there early (Friday) and take pictures. We’ll get ready and focused on Saturday.”

@MagnessMayhem