This is the first in a series of analyses about the No. 2-ranked Denver hockey team at the midseason break.

Click here to read about the Pioneers’ offense

Today we look at the Pioneers’ defense

There is plenty to like about what Denver has done on defense in the first half of the 2016-17 season. The Pioneers, whose three losses bookended a 15-game unbeaten streak (12-0-3) head into the holiday break allowing just 2.06 goals per game, tied for fourth best out of the 60 NCAA Division I teams, and it truly has been a team effort. And a consistent one at that. The Pioneers have allowed more than three goals just once in 18 games (a 6-5 win vs. Wisconsin on Nov. 26).

“It’s not only our D core, but our forwards in the D zone have been amazing,” said junior goaltender Tanner Jaillet. “It’s making my job easier. All I have to worry about is making that first save and they’ll clear everything out for me. It helps when everyone’s doing their part in the D zone.”

Jaillet has been one of the top netminders in the nation all season, and his stats (11-2-3 record, 1.99 goals-against average and .922 save percentage) back that up. He is tied for the third most victories in D-I and his gaa is the seventh-best and his save percentage is 12th-best. He leads the NCHC in the latter two categories and is tied with Minnesota-Duluth freshman Hunter Miska in victories.

As good as Jaillet has been, he said the Pioneers’ defense has improved from a season ago, when it allowed just 2.34 goals each game.

“Last year they were good, too. This year they’ve been incredible,” Jaillet said. “The one thing I think has been noticeably different is their commitment to blocking shots, and that’s not only our defense but our forwards, too. Our D have blocked tons of shots for me, which is huge. I really appreciate that, and it can’t be easy.”

The Pioneers’ top pairing of senior captain Will Butcher (38 blocks) and junior Adam Plant (37) has led the way in that department, but junior Tariq Hammond (24) and Blake Hillman (21) also have contributed.

DU’s top six has played every game together except one, when freshman Erich Fear subbed in for Hillman at Michigan State early in the season, and with good reason.

The group’s chemistry has been apparent, they generally make quick and clean exits from the D zone, and all have had offensive opportunities, particularly in the past month.

There is something else, senior assistant captain Matt VanVoorhis said. “We’re good at protecting the middle right now, and when we do give up the middle TJ’s coming up with the big saves he needs to make.

“We’re making his life easy and he’s making our life easy. If we can keep shots to the outside and block out bodies, it makes it easier for TJ to make the saves he needs to make. When we do make a mistake or get caught, he’s bailing us out most of the time now. That’s why our goals-against average is so low.”

That in turn has bred plenty of confidence, and it’s one reason why DU has been able to overcome several injuries and illnesses up front to top scorers (Dylan Gambrell and Henrik Borgstrom) and senior leaders (Evan Janssen and Emil Romig).

“Our D core is strong this year,” Plant said. “We lost Nolan (Zajac), which was a big hit, but we have some pretty talented D-men back there to fill his shoes. The confidence we’ve gained through the season, and just knowing we have (Jaillet) back there no matter really helps our mindset.”

That Butcher is a co-leading scorer for the Pioneers with 17 points (tied with Troy Terry) is no surprise. The senior has been dominant at times and excellent most games. He has been particularly strong on special teams. Nine of his 17 points have come on the power play and he’s a penalty-kill mainstay. Plant’s five points are consistent with his career numbers at DU (he had 10 and eight points his first two seasons).

Hammond, who is attracting a lot of attention from NHL scouts this season as one would expect of player with his size, skating ability and skill set, has just one goal, but he has been the lockdown defender DU had hoped for, and his D partner, Michael Davies is tied for sixth on the team with eight points. Davies, whose ability to think the game appears elite, has become an every situation contributor in his freshman season.

Hillman also has developed into an every situation player for DU, and though he has just four assists so far remember he heated up in the second half last season and was at his best in the NCHC and NCAA tournaments. VanVoorhis also has been very solid in all three zones but hasn’t had the scoresheet recognition to show for it yet. He also had a strong second half last season.

Fear played decently in his only appearance.

Coach Jim Montgomery‘s decision to start Jaillet almost exclusively has meant far less playing time for Evan Cowley in net than he has been used to, but when called upon the senior has been very good. His relief appearance against Wisconsin preserved a win, and he defeated Colorado College to clinch the Gold Pan for DU the next weekend. Cowley is 1-1 with a 1.42 gaa and .942 save percentage.

Next: breaking down the offense