A hallmark of any championship team is its scoring depth. Last season, that was the case for top-ranked Denver just as it was for the Colorado Avalanche.

The Pioneers, who defeated UNLV, 10-0, in an exhibition at Magness Arena, lost six of their top nine forwards from a season ago due to graduation and early departures to the pro’s. So the question begged to be asked, who will replace the scoring?

If Saturday night’s game was any indication, the new third line of sophomore center Carter King and freshman wings Jared Wright and Rieger Lorenz will provide some of it. The trio accounted for five goals and nine points.

“A lot of it is playing simple, get used to the pace,” King said. “They’re a couple of guys that can skate really fast, and we used that to our advantage.”

“Jared is probably the fastest player I’ve ever played with, so that helps. Rieger’s got speed, he’s big, he’s skilled. Both of them can play smart. It’s going to be a lot of fun with those guys in our lineup.”

The Pioneers also received goals from defenseman Sean Behrens, fellow sophomore Carter Mazur and junior center McKade Webster, senior Brett Edwards and freshman Tyler Haskins. Sophomores Jack Devine and Shai Buium had three assists apiece.

Goaltender Magnus Chrona made 12 saves, including a handful of point-blank ones, during his two periods of work.

“That was nice to see that he was up for the challenge,” DU coach David Carle said.

Matt Davis played the third period and stopped all five shots he saw.

The Pioneers outshot the Rebels 90-33 overall and 52-17 in shots on goal. DU cashed in on 2 of 5 power plays and won 42 of 67 face-offs.

“We’ve been playing against each other (for three weeks), so it was nice to play against someone else,” Webster said. “We were all excited to get an opponent in front of us and play a game.”

The Wright stuff

Last season, grad transfer Cameron Wright (now with the Colorado Eagles) was a second-line revelation, scoring 23 goals to tie Carter Savoie (also in the American Hockey League) for the team lead. Could Wright lightning strike again for the Pioneers? It sure looked like it Saturday.

Jared Wright displayed rare speed, as evidenced on his breakaway goal that came off a nice transition pass from Mike Benning 4:21 into the second period. That speed, his obvious skill, as well as his willingness to engage physically (he’s 6-foot-3) created all sorts of problems for the Rebels. Wright also set up DU’s fifth goal on a nice give-and-go play with Webster.

And to think, Wright, who was sixth-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings in this summer’s Entry Draft, wasn’t in the mix for the Pioneers until August, when he flipped his commitment from Colgate to head for the Mile High City.

So how did DU’s new players look?

Wright was far from the only newcomer who flashed an ability to contribute right away. His linemate Lorenz displayed an elite release, evidenced his third-period power-play goal.

Grad transfer Casey Dornbach flashed stick handling and passing skill and really gives the Pioneers a second player with a center skill set on the top line with Massimo Rizzo and Mazur.

Defensemen Kent Anderson and Lucas Olvestad also impressed. Olvestad’s offensive game is polished. He’s efficient in his movement and reads, and he moves the puck well. The 6-3 Anderson was steady, took some penalty killing shifts and was willing to engage physically.

Wings Tristan Lemyre and Haskins shifted between the second and fourth lines. Haskins’ goal put DU into double digits while Lemyre drew some PK duty.

“I think they all had a great game,” Webster said. “It’s hard coming in as a freshman, you can be a bit nervous, but overall they all had great games. Systems-wise, they all knew what they were doing. You saw a few of them score goals. I’m happy with all of their games.”

King for a night

King said he couldn’t remember the last time he scored three goals in a game. “Too long,” he quipped.

Webster said the offensive output (King had five points) shouldn’t be too big of a surprise.

“That’s awesome,” the junior assistant captain said. “He had a great summer and he showcased that. Three goals, what more can you say? He’s an awesome guy and an awesome player.”

King scored 4:40 into the game just as DU’s first power play expired. He was part of the second unit and clicked well with Devine, who set up his first and third goals.

King’s second came with 7:19 to go in the second, when he turned and fired a loose puck in the high slot over goalie Zach Wickson’s glove to move the score to 6-0. He made it 9-0 with 5:33 to go on a shot from the right slot.

“I thought Kinger, his confidence just continues to grow within the program. It’s exciting development,” Carle said. “(We had) new people playing center position as well with (freshman Aidan) Thompson and (Minnesota transfer Tristan) Broz out. Just trying different combinations. I thought at times we played really fast and were able to make some things happen.”

Needs improvement department

If there was one distressing trend that emerged it was the defense losing control of the puck at the Rebels’ blue line. On at least four occasions that led to breakaways or partial breakaways for the guests. Chrona made a couple of stellar stops, and the Pioneers’ fleet back checking wiped out the other chances.

The Rebels also managed a handful of point-blank shots below the dots but had no solution for neither Chrona nor Davis.

Three stars

1. Carter King. The sophomore center was a one-man gang, tallying five points, and leading a very productive night for his line.
2. Sean Behrens. The sophomore defenseman was around the puck at both ends of the ice, scored a goal and set up Carter Mazur’s tally.
3. Jared Wright and Jack Devine. Wright scored a beautiful breakaway goal and set up McKade Webster on a fantastic give-and-go play. Devine had three assists and was around the puck much of the night.

Magness Mayhem is now on Facebook

©First Line Editorial 2022