“The best hockey teams are built from the goal out.” — hockey coaches everywhere

And so it has been in Denver for as long as the program has existed. Every great Pioneers team, nine of which won NCAA titles, has had excellent goaltending.

For the first time in five seasons, someone not named Magnus Chrona will guard the Pioneers’ net. Meet Matt Davis, a refreshingly candid junior who largely watched and waited his turn. His philosophy is simple — and supportive.

“To me, a goalie’s job is to stop the puck and give everyone confidence to make mistakes. If they’re comfortable enough to make mistakes, they’re comfortable enough to make plays,” Davis said. “You’ve got to be that cool, composed player out there, know when to take whistles, know when to smother pucks.

“You can’t leave any doubts.”

Davis Prepared for Challenges

Davis not only has to step into the 6-foot-6 Chrona’s giant skates but he’s got to do it behind a defense that lost half of its members to graduation and pro signings. The Pioneers reloaded the blue line with four excellent prospects, but there could be a learning curve.

“You’ve got to lean on those older guys,” Davis said. “We’ve got four returners, and we’ve really go to lean on our juniors, (Sean Behrens) and (Shai) Buium, to really show how we play. There’s going to be turnover every year, and this year there just happens to be a little more. I don’t think anyone is worried about it.”

Neither, too, should anyone be worried about Davis. He’s always posted strong numbers even though he didn’t play much until the end of last season.

After appearing in six games as a freshman and going 3-1 with a .923 save percentage and 1.96 goals-against average, he more than doubled his appearances in 2022-23. THe result was a line of 8-1, .925 and 1.77.

Davis Made Most of Opportunities

More importantly, he played both games of a series three times — against Lindenwood in mid-December and consecutive series vs. Colorado College (to close the regular-season) and Miami (in the NCHC quarterfinals) due to a Chrona injury. Davis won all three back-to-backs.

“Magnus getting injured last year was an unfortunate thing but it was a really good thing for the development of last year’s team, particularly Matty,” DU coach David Carle said. “Giving him that opportunity to play some games and for guys to see him play and have that confidence. There’s a level of confidence when he’s in net from the players.”

Davis expects that late stretch to pay dividends.

“It definitely helps a lot,” he said. “It gives you that extra confidence going into this year that you can play back-to-back mentally. Since I hadn’t started for two years, it was nice to see what a week looks like in that starter’s net, your habits and where they need to be to have success on the weekend.”

Chrona’s Influence Was Important

Habits were one of several key points Davis said he learned from backing up Chrona for two seasons.

“I got a lot from him,” Davis noted. “He’s a great guy and an unbelievable goalie. His professionalism on and off the ice was just top-notch. The way he carried himself, it was a good lesson for me to learn what it takes.”

Davis added that his game grew technically as well.

“The way Magnus can fill space, and his reads,” Davis said. “It was good for me to watch how he reads plays and pick up the mental aspects. I can’t play the game the same way he can, so I have to fit it into my way of playing.”

Ironically, the Davis era begins Saturday at the same site Chrona’s DU career began — Fairbanks, Alaska, for a series against a Nanooks team that was on the cusp of making the NCAA Tournament last spring. Still, the Pioneers aren’t concerned about that or the changeover in their last line of defense.

“Matty’s been great in every single practice,” Denver captain McKade Webster said. “In games, he’s been unbelievable. Losing Magnus is obviously a big deal, but Matty’s been there and I think he’s ready to go. I’m excited to see this opportunity for him. I think he’s going to flourish and have a great year.”

©First Line Editorial 2023