The Seventh Period breaks down the first half of Denver’s 2019-20 season.

First Period

Denver’s first half was a lot of things, but consistent in outcomes wasn’t one of them. The Pioneers burst out of the gate with an 8-0 mark, then went 1-4-2 before finishing with a 2-0-1 streak. One thing that has been consistent over the first 18 games is DU (11-4-3) has played pretty well defensively, allowing four or more goals just four times – all to ranked teams. Meanwhile, they’ve allowed two of fewer goals 11 times.

Second Period

The defensive prowess was not only manifest on the scoreboard but in the relatively paltry 25.7 shots on goal per game allowed by the Pioneers. Contrast that with a shots on goal average of 35.1 and the Pioneers have the third-best differential in Division I hockey, behind only UMass and North Dakota (more on those two later on).

Third Period

The backbone of the defense has been – again – strong goaltending. Two years in a row the Pioneers have had to replace a standout in net, and two years in a row they’ve accomplished that. Last season, Devin Cooley stepped in for DU all-timer Tanner Jaillet and was masterful. He and Filip Larsson formed a potent tag team from November on. Larsson’s one-and-done to the Detroit Red Wings organization opened the door for another freshman from Sweden, Magnus Chrona. Chrona (8-4-2, 2.13, .920) then carried the mail while Cooley rehabbed a preseason injury. Cooley has come back with a vengeance, going 2-0-1 with 0.98 and .958 numbers. In between, sophomore Michael Corson pitched a shutout in his first NCAA start.

Goaltender Michael Corson. Photo courtesy of Denver Athletics

Fourth Period

The biggest culprit during the November swoon was a suddenly vanishing offense. Remember, DU scored three or more goals – including six twice – in each of its first nine games (8-0-1). It then had five total in its next four (0-3-1) before hanging six on Western Michigan. And it only had nine in its past four (2-1-1), though the Pioneers put up six of those in a sweep of old friend Colorado College just before the break.

Fifth Period

The Pioneers have nine players in double figures in points, led by sophomore wing Emilio Pettersen‘s 16. Pettersen has been their most consistent scorer this season, with points in 13 of 18 games. Freshman Bobby Brink and sophomore Cole Guttman lead the way with seven goals apiece. There are three areas of concern, however. One, outside of captain Ian Mitchell (12 points), the Pioneers have gotten next to nothing points-wise from the blue line. The rest of the D corps has 15 points combined. Two, many of DU’s most dangerous forwards have had stretches without points. Brink, Liam Finlay (13 points) and Kohen Olischefski (10 points) have had five-game droughts. Brett Stapley a four-gamer and Guttman two three-gamers. Four of Guttman’s goals have come in the past three games, but Finlay and Stapley have just two assists each in their past eight games. Getting those two on track is paramount to the Pioneers’ success going forward. And three, the power play has been inconsistent at times. Nine of the 16 PPGs came in the first seven games, and another three came in one game vs. WMU.

Sixth Period

What the Pioneers are getting is production from several players who previously had played more complementary roles. Center Jaakko Heikkinen has 10 points and has been DU’s best player on quite a few nights. Olischefski and senior Tyson McLellan also have been outstanding defensively and are headed toward career seasons offensively. And sophomore transfer Hank Crone has fit in seamlessly and plays in every situation. Clearly the ingredients are there for DU to score more and to get offense from all four lines.

Seventh Period

January will be a busy month for the Pioneers, but one in which they should be able to make up more ground in the NCHC. After opening with a tantalizing Frozen Four rematch against No. 9 UMass, the Pioneers have St. Cloud State at home and trips to Omaha and Miami – all teams below them in the league standings. The month finishes with a visit from No. 10 Minnesota Duluth. The series against the Bulldogs, and the ensuing one at No. 1 North Dakota should provide an accurate barometer of where the Pioneers are heading down the stretch.

©First Line Editorial 2019