It figured that shots on goal, much less scoring chances, would be hard to come by Friday night for No. 2 Denver at Grand Forks, N.D. But the Pioneers found a way to dent No. 12 North Dakota’s defense enough to pull out a 3-2 NCHC victory.

The triumph was the first by the Pioneers (8-3, 3-1 NCHC) over the Fighting Hawks (4-4-2, 1-1-1) in seven games. It also was the most goals DU has scored against NoDak since its previous victory, a 4-1 decision on Jan. 17, 2021.

And the Pioneers did it on a day they had to drive 316 miles from the Twin Cities to Grand Forks because their Thursday flight into North Dakota was cancelled by a blizzard.

Freshman wing Jared Wright scored what proved to be the game-winner early in the third period, and Magnus Chrona made 21 saves for Denver. Freshman Aidan Thompson and Carter King also had goals for DU. The goals were the first of Wright’s and Thompson’s NCAA careers.

Here are three observations from the game:

Denver finds more outlets for offense

Much has been made, including plenty here, about the scoring prowess of Denver’s top line of Carter Mazur, Massimo Rizzo and Casey Dornbach, and justifiably so. The trio had 44 points in the first 10 games. They still have 44 points, and Denver still found a way to win.

That was due in part to the contributions of Wright, who tallied exactly six minutes after North Dakota defenseman Chris Jandric had tied the score 33 seconds into the third period, and Thompson, who centered a line with Wright and Tristan Broz. Thompson scored 2:17 into the second period to re-establish DU’s lead a second time at 2-1. He held a puck in the zone and went to the high slot and beat Drew DeRidder (16 saves).

Wright’s goal came on a fly by of DeRidder’s crease. Lucas Olvestad did a nice job getting the puck through traffic, and Wright slid it between DeRidder’s pads.

You always remember your first, as Jared Wright gives the Pios the lead 6 minutes after UND tied it. pic.twitter.com/0HkyH8HBzV

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) November 12, 2022

King gave DU its first lead 5:09 into the game when Kyle Mayhew retrieved a puck in the left corner of the UND zone, skated up the wall and found King alone in the high slot. The sophomore deposited his second goal of the season.

Mayhew had two assists, giving him a four-game points streak, and Wright and Thompson each added a helper.

DU limits special teams damage

Denver’s special teams may not have won the battle but it won the war on this night. The power play could not connect on six chances, but the PK was only dented once in five tries, Jandric’s goal.

North Dakota’s other tally was Griffin Ness’ goal with 2:59 to go in the first. Ness put in a rebound at Chrona’s net front.

The price of real estate was high

Given the teams combined for just 42 shots on goal, something DU can put up by itself on a good night, it doesn’t take much imagination to figure out both teams played lockdown defense.

And Denver had to do it without injured top-pair defender Sean Behrens. Olvestad stepped in for him and combined with Mayhew for three points.

The forwards back checked hard, and Chrona was strong when called upon, winning for the sixth time in seven starts. He’s allowed just 13 goals during that stretch.

Add it up, and Denver enters Saturday’s 5 p.m. start with a chance for a rare sweep at North Dakota.

©First Line Editorial 2022