Sweeping Arizona State on the road is one thing, but thumping No. 5 Minnesota Duluth in its barn is quite another.

If No. 11 Denver’s 5-0 victory over the Bulldogs proves anything, it’s that the Pioneers (11-4, 5-2 NCHC) are ahead of schedule on their journey on the road to maturity.

Division I hockey’s second-youngest team, the Pioneers received a sparkling effort from junior goaltender Magnus Chrona, who made 23 saves for his first shutout of the season, and offensive eruption that came without any of their top three goal scorers tallying.

Denver got three goals from defensemen – two by sophomore Mike Benning, who now has seven, and Shai Buium‘s first of his NCAA career. Seniors Cole Guttman and Ryan Barrow added the other two, and each also added an assist as DU ran its win streak to seven games. The Pioneers have scored four or more goals in every game of the run, and five or more in six of the seven victories.

Guttman and linemate Bobby Brink each have points in every game of the streak. Brink picked up an assist Friday and has 12 points in that span. Benning ran his points streak to six games, during which he has 10 points.

Buium struck midway through the first, and Guttman added a second with 2:28 to go in the period. Denver then broke things open with Benning’s first goal, which Barrow drew the primary assist on, and Barrow’s tally in the first 7:42. Benning struck again with 3:29 to go in the second.

After facing just six shots in the first period, Chrona had to stop 17 in the final two, when Denver had to kill off four of its five penalties. Chrona has allowed just 10 goals total during DU’s win streak.

Another key to Denver’s victory was its dominance in the face-off circle. DU won 32 of 52 draws (62 percent), with Guttman doing much of the heavy lifting, winning 13 of 18.

Ryan Fanti made 21 saves for Duluth (10-6-1, 3-3-1).

The teams play again Saturday at 6 p.m. (NCHC.tv)

©First Line Editorial 2021