Denver has made a habit of using speed to overcome opponents’ size and strength, and Friday night was a perfect illustration of that.

The top-ranked Pioneers used their feet – and their hands, of course – to control the puck for long stretches of a 5-0 non-conference victory against Lindenwood at Magness Arena. In addition, they displayed a burgeoning scoring balance that will be crucial in the season’s second half. DU (15-4) got goals from all four lines and its defense.

“(The balance has) been gradually been increasing, and I think it’s a really good sign,” said defenseman Kyle Mayhew, who scored the first – and what proved to be the winning – goal on a power play with 7:09 to go in the first period. “We lose three big players in Shai (Buium), Berry (Sean Behrens) and Devo (Jack Devine), and to have a game like that was big. All four lines were rolling.”

Offense wasn’t the only facet where the Pioneers’ depth was revealed, however. Backup goaltender Matt Davis earned his third victory in three starts this season and his second career shutout with a 19-save effort, and a defense missing regulars Behrens and Buium kept the Lions (4-11) at bay

It was the Pioneers’ sixth consecutive victory and ninth in their past 10 games. The Lions, who are in their first season at the Division I level, were playing their first game in a month.

Davis makes the most of his first Friday start

Davis found out Tuesday morning he would get the call for his first Friday start in his two seasons at Denver. The sophomore made the most of it.

“He was really good his last start,” DU coach David Carle said. “It’s no secret Magnus (Chrona) is a senior, so we wanted to try to give Matty that experience (of preparing for a Friday start).

(Telling him early in the week was) so he could figure out what he would do.”

Davis was quick to credit the rest of the Pioneers lineup for the scoreboard goose-egg.

“They were great all night,” Davis said. “The reloads were awesome from the forwards. I know a shutout looks nice, it’s a goalie stat. But in reality it’s a team stat, especially one like that. I honestly didn’t have to do that much work.”

DU’s balance presents problems for foes

Denver’s balance presented big problems for the visitors. Which line do you focus on when all are capable of putting the puck in the net?

Mayhew’s shot from the high slot was the only goal in the first period. The Pioneers then scored twice each in the next two periods.

Tristan Broz, who had an assist on Mayhew’s goal and now has seven points in the past six games after only two in his first 13, scored on a rush after taking a drop pass from Massimo Rizzo 4:15 into the second. Carter King then went top shelf on Roni Salmenkangas (29 saves) off a feed from Owen Ozar with 2:22 left in the period.

Carter Mazur scored his career-high 15th goal, tying him with Omaha’s Jack Randl for the Division I lead, off a rush that Aidan Thompson initiated with a neutral-zone pass. And freshman Tristan Lemyre got his first NCAA goal off a nice feed from Rieger Lorenz, who chased down a puck behind the Lions’ net. Just 6:30 into the third and it was 5-0.

Down two top defensemen, DU’s blue rises to the challenge

As important as DU’s speed and skill were in the outcome, its defense also played a significant role.

Freshmen Lucas Olvestad and Kent Anderson saw an uptick in minutes while senior Lane Krenzen got into his fifth game of the season. And captain Justin Lee (assist), Mayhew and Mike Benning (two assists) did what they always do, Davis said.

“You always know what you’re going to get with Justin Lee, he’s going to battle in the D zone, protect his own house. He’s going to do anything that you need to win,” the goalie said. “Kyle Mayhew has been unbelievable this season. His offense has taken off, and his skating is incredible so he’s really able to adjust and get back really well. Lane Krenzen hopping in tonight, I thought he did really well. And also our freshmen, Andy and Ovie, they both had good nights.

“Benning is a great skater and has a great stick. He blocked a couple of 2-on-1 passes so I was grateful for him, too.”

The Pioneers adeptly used stick checks to break up Lions possessions and get their lethal transition game in gear.

To get so many contributions from so many players in new or emerging roles bodes well.

“We’re missing three regulars so it’s great to have three guys step in and get minutes,” Carle said. “It gives the group confidence with our depth.

“I thought we were really mature and disciplined within the whole game, not a lot of lapses in how we want to be playing. That doesn’t mean they didn’t have pushes and get some opportunities, but I just thought we limited the second-chance opportunities, which you really want to do. A lot of that’s Matty, but a lot of that’s the players, too.”

Give Lindenwood credit. The Lions packed the center of the defensive zone and made the Pioneers earn their goals. They blocked 19 DU shots and wasted few chances to hit Denver players when they could reach them.

But on this night the Pioneers’ depth, balance and speed made the difference.

Behrens makes U.S. World Junior team

Behrens made Team USA’s 25-man roster for the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, which begins on Dec. 26 in eastern Canada. Buium and Devine were among the group of players in the final cuts announced on Friday.

Behrens, a 2021 Colorado Avalanche draft choice, has eight points this season after scoring 29 points, including 26 assists, during his freshman season, when he made the NCHC All-Rookie Team with Buium, Mazur and Rizzo.

“I’m happy for him,” Carle said. “It’s unfortunate for the other two. Sean has had the opportunity to wear the USA jersey a lot and I think always does it well.”

Buium and Devine flew back to Denver Friday night and could be available to play in Saturday’s rematch. Behrens’ availability for the Pioneers’ next series, on Jan. 6-7 vs. Alaska Fairbanks, will depend upon how deep Team USA goes in the tournament.

©First Line Editorial 2022