It was a give and take sort of game for Denver on Saturday night at Magness Arena.

The Pioneers took two leads only to give them back to pesky No. 9 Omaha, and the result was a 5-4 loss in overtime in a game Denver needed to close the gap on the Mavericks (11-6-1) for fourth place in the NCHC.

Tyler Weiss‘ goal 1:43 into overtime capped Omaha’s three-goal rally, a run that matched an earlier run by the Pioneers (7-10-1).

Up 4-2 after its own rally from a 2-1 deficit, the Pioneers saw that lead evaporate midway through the third period on goals by Nate Knoepke and former Pioneer Kevin Conley 3:38 apart.

Prior to that, the Pioneers largely dominated the game, nearly doubling the Mavericks in shots on goal and winning more than 55 percent of the face-offs. Unfortunately for DU its defense lapsed late, and Omaha goalie  Isaiah Saville turned in 30-plus save showing for the second night in a row.

“It was a great first two periods and then we got away from what gave us success,” Denver coach David Carle said. “Give them credit, they pushed us in the third. The way we lost the hockey game was embarrassing.

“It’s the things that have plagued us. The commitment to each other to make defensive plays in big moments. … Just a lack of maturity.”

Here are three observations from the game, which was the first one in the past 12 matchups at Magness that Omaha has won:

Bright spot

The third-period meltdown spoiled a career night for sophomore Justin Lee.

The steady defenseman, who had three career goals to his credit in a season and a half of college hockey, tallied twice in Denver’s three-goal, second-period eruption.

Lee, who has moved into a top-four role on the DU blue line this season, has a reputation as a tough, physical defenseman. His ability downshift from overdrive in the intensity gear has played a big role in his evolution into a more well-rounded player.

That was in evidence Saturday when he struck twice in a span of 11:50. The surge lifted Denver from a 2-1 deficit to a 3-2 lead.

“Early on this year, it seemed like he was gripping his stick a bit tight, inserting himself in every moment,” Carle said. “He’s done a good job relaxing himself in games. He’s such an intense kid, very competitive.

“He’s let the game come to him, he’s possessing pucks, making better decisions and making better outlet passes. It’s not the first time he’s had opportunities like that. … Justin’s doing a good job letting the game come to him.”

Rapid fire

One night after launching 38 shots on goal (the third time this season DU has surpassed the 35-shot benchmark), the Pioneers fired 36 more at Saville.

But the Vegas Golden Knights draft pick hung tough, enduring just one blip early – grad transfer Steven Jandric‘s goal 26 seconds into the game. He was helped by Omaha following Denver’s Friday night script of scoring early in periods, something the Mavericks did in the first two minutes of the first and second periods.

Taylor Ward‘s ninth of season quickly made it 1-1 just 59 seconds after Jandric struck, and North Dakota transfer Jonny Tychonick gave Omaha its first (and only) lead of the weekend 1:35 into the second. That accomplishment lasted just 1:50 before Lee went to work.

Some consolation

Another positive development for Denver was sophomore Bobby Brink scoring his first goal of the season with 18 seconds to play in the second period. Brink, who had six assists in his first eight games, had 11 goals last season. He missed nine games (seven in the NCHC pod and two more against Colorado College) while helping Team USA win the World Junior Championship in Edmonton, Alberta. …

For the second night in a row the Pioneers did not allow a power-play goal, an improvement from when the teams met two weeks ago and they gave up three. Unlike Friday, however, DU did not strike on the power play, going 0-for-5 Saturday.

Next: Denver travels to North Dakota on Friday and Saturday for games.

©First Line Editorial 2021