Ideally Denver would have taken all four points vs. Lake Superior State over the weekend, but there was still plenty to like about the Pioneers’ performance, all be it vs. and opponent that struggled to keep up with their speed and skill. And Friday’s tie didn’t hurt DU, which remained No. 1 in the uscho.com rankings this week, in the eyes of pundits.

Here are some takeways from the series:

Full throttle

In the midst of a 66-17 shooting edge in Friday’s 3-3 tie and a 54-16 margin in Saturday’s 5-1 victory, the Pioneers showed they can and will keep the offensive pedal to the metal all game. DU generated 28 shots in the third period Friday and 21 more in the third period Saturday. They scored five of their eight goals in the two third periods. Clearly the Pioneers demonstrated they have plenty in the tank when it matters most.

Defense turns offensive

You expect players like Troy Terry (11 shots on goal for the weekend) and Henrik Borgstrom (10) to be among the shots leaders. But Adam Plant (13) and Blake Hillman (10)? Though Plant and Hillman didn’t register a point, they were among DU’s best players both ends of the ice all weekend. Factor in goals from Griffin Mendel and Michael Davies, and assists from Ian Mitchell and Sean Mostrom on Saturday, and the Pioneers’ blue line has given future opponents something to think about. Mendel’s goal was the first of his NCAA career, and Mostrom’s assist was his first point in three seasons.

Unsung heroes

Colin Staub and Liam Finlay have been a bit overlooked amidst their forward cohort, but they each had three-point weekends, and Finlay scored the tying goal with 3:34 to play Friday. Staub fit in very well with Dylan Gambrell (who also had three points) and Terry on Saturday, and Finlay again rode shotgun with Borgstrom. Jarid Lukosevicius joined Finlay and Borgstrom on Saturday and might have had his best game of the young season.

Net gain

One night after some spotty play in the Pioneers’ D zone Friday led to two of Lake State’s goal, DU improved that markedly on Saturday. One result of that was freshman Dayton Rasmussen picking up his first NCAA win and generally playing very well in the process. I expect senior Tanner Jaillet to play the lions share of games this season for the Pioneers, but it has to be comforting to know a solid option exists behind him.

Next up

The Pioneers head to Beantown for visits to No. 6 Boston University (Friday, 5:30 p.m.) and No. 17 Boston College (Saturday, 5 p.m.).

Click here for a recap of Friday’s game, and here for a recap of Saturday’s game

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