After a slow start in Friday’s game – Denver trailed 2-0 at the first period intermission – the Pioneers poured it on the rest of the weekend, scoring 10 of the next 11 goals. The showing against the then No. 18 Mavericks moved DU back up to N0. 2 in the both the USCHO.com and USA Hockey/USA Today polls.

Here are the pluses and minuses from the series as well as its three stars.

Plus

The Pioneers had one of their best weekend shot totals (86) of the season, surpassed only by 95 vs. Arizona State, 90 vs. Miami, 88 vs. Air Force and Wisconsin. None of those teams was ranked when they played DU. There were plenty of high-quality chances in that mix, too.

Minus

It’s not easy to come up with some, but taking 12 minutes of penalties against a team with as good of a power play as Omaha had coming (north of 25 percent effectiveness) isn’t a great idea.

Plus

DU’s power play went 4-for-11. The four PPGs matched a season high set during the Arizona State weekend.

Minus

The Pioneers gave up a power-play goal on Omaha’s first chance.

Plus

DU didn’t give up a PPG in Omaha’s next eight chances.

Plus

DU’s 10 goals came from nine different sources. Colin Staub, who apparently saves his best for the Mavericks (he ended their season in double overtime last March), had two on Saturday. And senior Matt VanVoorhis, a Mayhem favorite, also lit the lamp for the first time this season.

Minus

The other nine skaters in the lineup didn’t score a goal … but we won’t hold it against them.

Plus

DU moved into a tie with Minnesota-Duluth for first in the NCHC, and in the process created some separation between themselves and third-place Western Michigan.

Minus

We don’t get to see a second series vs. UMD, or North Dakota for that matter.

Three stars

1. Will Butcher – The captain was all over the place, getting a goal and an assist Friday and added another assist on Saturday. Plus the defense went into lockdown mode after the first period Friday. He was selected the NCHC’s defensive player of the week.
2. Liam Finlay – All the freshman did was double his point total in one weekend, getting a goal Friday and three assists Saturday. He was selected the NCHC’s offensive player of the week.
3. Colin Staub – The sophomore doubled his season goal total on the power play on Saturday, teaming with Evan Janssen and Finlay up front to strike twice.