Sophomore Cole Guttman scored the game-winner for the second night in a row, and he and linemate Emilio Pettersen combined for four points in No. 7 Denver’s 4-3 victory over No. 9 Massachusetts on Saturday night at Magness Arena.

Guttman’s team-high ninth goal came with 3:08 to play in the second period and capped a run of four consecutive goals by the Pioneers (13-4-3). It was the sophomore’s sixth goal in the past five games.

Pettersen kicked off a run of three scores in a 2:30 span late in the second period when he buried his fourth of the season on the power play with 5:28 to go.

Freshman Bobby Brink, making a surprise return to the lineup after arriving in Denver earlier in the day after playing for Team USA in the World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic on Thursday, scored his eighth of the season 33 seconds before Guttman struck.

Freshman Magnus Chrona made 39 saves for Denver, which won its fourth game in a row. Matt Murray made 33 saves for UMass (13-6-1).

For the second night in a row, DU spotted the guests an early lead – this time two goals by Bobby Trivigno and John Leonard in the first 10:46.

Leonard’s goal came on the power play and was the first of three extra-man goals one night after both penalty kills were perfect.

Liam Finlay answered on the power play with 4:05 left in the first. The tally was the senior’s first since he had two at Minnesota Duluth on Nov. 8.

Jack Suter tallied with 4 seconds to play in the second period for UMass to conclude the scoring.

Notable

Denver killed seven of eight UMass power plays and it held a commanding 53-30 edge in face-off wins. … Neither junior center Jaakko Heikkinen nor sophomore wing Hank Crone played after exiting Friday’s game because of injuries. Junior Jack Doremus stepped in at forward, and freshman Lane Krenzen dressed as the seventh defenseman.

©First Line Editorial 2020