There were some things to like about No. 5 Denver’s NCHC game at No. 14 North Dakota on Friday night. The final score, 4-1, in favor of the hosts wasn’t one of them.

Consider DU (7-4-1, 3-4 NCHC) outshot the Fighting Hawks (9-6-1, 3-4) by a 16-7 margin after the first period and 22-15 for the game. The Pioneers only took one penalty in probably the most hostile environment in the conference after coming in averaging almost seven minors per game.

But North Dakota’s strategy seemed to be keep the Pioneers on the outside, and the hosts executed it well. Time and again DU would have possession and not get a quality scoring chance. North Dakota would get the puck and make DU lug it 200 feet again. Repeat.

“I thought you saw us start playing on our toes a little more as the game when on,” DU coach David Carle said. “At the end of the day, we couldn’t make enough plays in and around the scoring areas. We have to find a way to be harder at the net front and do it for a full 60 minutes tomorrow night.”

The game marked the first time this season that DU lost by more than one goal.

Comeback thwarted

That’s not to say Denver didn’t have some chances to get back in the game, even after Matt Kierstad‘s point shot gave North Dakota a 3-0 lead just 2:47 into the third period.

Colin Staub cut the margin to two goals less than seven minutes later when he finished a nice pass from Ryan Barrow at the top of the slot. Barrow made a nice hustle play to retrieve the puck below the UND goal line by outworking a defender to gain possession. The goal was Staub’s second of the season and second of the past two Friday games.

The Pioneers pressed and pulled goalie Devin Cooley (11 saves) with 2:14 play. Brett Stapley had a penalty shot shortly after that thanks to North Dakota’s decision to dog pile the puck in the crease. Stapley’s shot on Adam Scheel (21 saves) hit the freshman’s glove and sailed over the net.

Colton Poolman, who had an assist on Kierstad’s goal, scored an empty netter seconds later.

Slow start

The Pioneers didn’t do themselves any favors in the first period, when they fell behind 2-0.

Gavin Hain and Mark Senden scored on two of North Dakota’s first three shots during a 5:10 stretch for the hosts.

Senden’s came when he beat a backchecker to Cooley’s back door and took a feed from Cole Smith from below the goal line.

Denver’s three stars

1. Ryan Barrow. The Pioneers’ lone plus player created a great scoring chance that led to DU’s lone goal.
2. Colin Staub. He got DU’s only goal.
3. Michael Davies. He had three shots on goal and was even while playing some tough  minutes.

Up next

The teams play again Saturday at 6:07 p.m. MST. AM 1600 has the broadcast and NCHC.tv (subscription) will carry the webcast.

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