A couple of things because clear pretty quickly on Friday night at Magness Arena.

One, the speed and skill gaps between No. 5 Denver and southern neighbor Colorado College are significant. The 5-0 final score and a 40-19 shots on goal edge testified to that. And two, the Tigers (6-12-3, 3-7-1 NCHC) can’t afford to take penalties in the rematch at Colorado Springs. If DU wins Saturday will retain the Gold Pan for a third consecutive year.

Magnus Chrona posted his second consecutive shutout and his third in DU’s past seven games. He is working on a shutout streak of 123:16.

Cole Guttman, Brett Stapley, Ryan Barrow, Cameron Wright and Carter Mazur scored goals. Mike Benning had two assists, and Stapley, Barrow and Mazur each added an assist for two-point games as well.

CC goalies Dominic Basse and Matt Vernon were under siege all game. The Pioneers (15-5-1, 8-3-0 NCHC) finished with an astounding total shots edge of 80-35.

“We talked about taking their belief away, and I think we did a good job of that,” Stapley said.

The convincing win also extended the Pioneers’ home record to 11-0-1, tied for the third best start in program history. And it moved DU into a tie with North Dakota for first place in the NCHC at 24 points.

The Pioneers accomplished all this without head coach David Carle, who is in Covid protocol, behind the bench.

“Ideally we feel more comfortable with DC here,” assistant coach Dallas Ferguson said. “Obviously DC has been part of the planning on a day-to-day basis.

“Focus on the leadership and sticking to the game plan (by the players).”

Going for seconds

The Pioneers broke the game open in the second period with three goals in a span of 10:41, and the third line and the second power-play unit accounted for all of them.

“For whatever reason the second has been our period,” Barrow said.

Stapley got his 10th of the season and fourth in five games when he tipped in Barrow’s shot from the high slot. The center won the draw in the right circle back to Kyle Mayhew at the right point. The defenseman moved the puck to his left to Barrow as Stapley made a bee line for the slot.

Barrow got his fourth on the Pioneers’ next one after a great individual effort protecting the puck along the right wall. After fending off two Tigers, he passed back to Stapley in the circle and headed to the net. Stapley skated toward the goal line and sent a right-to-left pass back to Barrow at the backdoor.

“I just went to the net,” Barrow said. “I didn’t even know I scored until Mike Benning told me.”

The emergence of the trio of Stapley, Barrow and freshman Jack Devine (it has a combined 53 points) gives DU a luxury not many teams enjoy – three lines with the ability to score.

“They pretty much have been growing as a line since they’ve been put together,” Ferguson said. “You’ve got a bit of everything. Brett’s a possession player. Ryan gets on the forecheck. Jack plays well off them.”

On the line’s chemistry, Barrow added, “We just build off each other. We compliment each other. I’m lucky to be playing with those two. They are so unbelievable with the puck.”

Pretty much been growing as a line since they’ve been put together. You’ve got a bit everything. Brett’s a possession player. Ryan gets on the forecheck. Jack plays well off them.

The Tigers then took their second penalty when Danny Weight tripped Reid Irwin behind the Pioneers’ net. Denver held the puck in the CC zone for 42 seconds, generating several chances before Wright found a loose puck to Basse’s left and deposited his team-high 13th and seventh in the past six games.

Basse’s night ended after the second, having made 27 saves on DU’s 31 shots on goal to that point. Vernon played the third and made six stops.

Opening statement

If there was any disappointment with the first period for DU it was that Guttman’s goal was the only one it posted during a dominant 20 minutes in which it had 28 total shots to CC’s 7.

The senior center’s seventh of the season came after a small-area cycle play with Mazur around the left circle during the first power play of the game. Guttman made a move toward the slot and fired his first shot then continued on. The rebound came back to him and he put it past Basse on the goalie’s right.

The Pioneers had the first 11 shots on goal and 13 of the first 15. The 16th was a point-blank backhand shot that Chrona stopped on his right doorstep.

The stop sign

That CC had so few chances is a testament to the Pioneers’ growth defending as a team.

“It’s just more coming together,” Barrow said “We’re angling a lot better. Our D are doing a great job swinging into guys. We’re working on a five man unit.”

When the Tigers did get a chance, Chrona was there. Unlike Sunday’s 4-0 victory against Omaha, when he had to stop more than 30 shots, Chrona wasn’t tested frequently.

“It’s  just being confident, seeing our guys push the game to where we wanted,” the junior said. “Even though we didn’t let up a lot I still felt sharp with the chances came against me.

“It was nice to see all the work we have put in has paid off. It was a bit hard in the first (when DU allowed three shots on goal) but I got a few shots from the blue line so I was able to track them.”

Up next: The teams play at 6 p.m. on Saturday. It will be DU’s first visit to CC’s new Robson Arena.

©First Line Editorial 2022