Top-ranked Denver struggled to get its offense in gear against one of the better defensive teams in college hockey and dropped its opener of 2023 to Alaska Fairbanks, 3-1, on Friday night at Magness Arena.

No even-strength goals were scored in the game, which marked the third loss at home for the Pioneers (16-5) this season after they dropped only one decision at Magness in 2021-22.

The Nanooks (11-8-2) seized control of the game with power-play goals by Jonny Sorenson and Brady Risk while DU captain Justin Lee was serving a five-minute major for boarding early in the second period. That turned out to be all the points UAF would need.

Denver’s offense could not generate anything

Massimo Rizzo scored the Pioneers’ only goal late in the second period, but that came on a 5-on-5 power play with 3:07 to go. The tally, Rizzo’s ninth of the season, extended his points streak to eight games. Defenseman Mike Benning, the NCHC’s Player of the Month for December, added an assist to build his points streak to eight games as well (with 13 points in that span).

Denver, which surprisingly was outshot 33-20, could not get its transition game going, and it rarely sustained any offensive zone pressure – two reasons it came into the game averaging 3.6 goals per game (ninth in Division I).

The Nanooks, however, came in as the third-stingiest team in D-I (2.1 goals against per game) and with good reason. They clogged the neutral zone, stayed put in shot and passing lanes and won most races to loose pucks.

Behind it all was goaltender Matt Radomsky (19 saves).

Time to knock off the rust

The Pioneers might have lost by even more had not Magnus Chrona (30 saves) made several point-blank stops, particularly in the second half of the game.

Whether it was fatigue after not having played for three weeks or taking a non-conference opponent lightly, DU appeared out of sync much of the game.

The Nanooks, on the other hand, appeared super charged after their split at Notre Dame last weekend.

If there is any consolation for the Pioneers, it’s that Alaska won the opener vs. the Irish but were shut out, 2-0, in the rematch.

These two teams finish their series Saturday at 6 p.m.

Note: Sophomore defenseman Sean Behrens, who won a bronze medal with Team USA at the World Junior Championships on Thursday, will not play this weekend.

©First Line Editorial 2023