Three freshmen scored goals, and Carter King and Jared Wright scored for the second night in a row as No. 2 Denver pulled away from Colorado College, 5-1, on Saturday night.

The Pioneers (6-1-1, 2-0-0 NCHC) retained the Gold Pan for the fifth consecutive season, and 18th overall, with the victory at Colorado Springs.

Freshman Freddie Halyk made 20 saves to win his third straight start.

Here are three takeaways from the Pioneers’ sweep of the Tigers (5-3-0, 0-2-0).

DU Displays Scoring Balance

The hot starts by top-line members Massimo Rizzo and Jack Devine led some to wonder if the Pioneers might have too top-heavy of a lineup. Suffice it to say those fears were allayed this weekend.

Devine scored twice Friday, but four other players had goals, including King and Wright.

REPLAY: Miko Matikka gives the Pioneers the lead with this power-play tally on assists from a pair of Buiums. pic.twitter.com/aHK2lwL815

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) November 5, 2023

Saturday, a trio of freshmen — defenseman Boston Buckberger and wings Miko Matikka and Sam Harris — lit the lamp before King and Wright applied the finishing move.

Just as they did Friday, the Pioneers picked up steam in the second and third periods. Friday, they scored the final six goals of the game. On Saturday, it was the final four.

Steady Freddie Shows He’s Ready

It’s never a good thing to lose a goaltender to injury early in the season. That’s especially true when he’s in his first year as the starter, as Matt Davis is. The junior remained out due to a lower-body injury Saturday.

Enter Halyk. The 6-foot-5 freshman has been outstanding in his three starts. He’s allowed just two goals and appears to have incredible rebound control.

This might be the biggest development of the young season for Denver because it sounds as if Davis’ injury is not long-term. That would give the Pioneers enviable depth in net for the grind of an NCHC season.

Well, Isn’t That Special … Teams

DU also snapped a mini power-play drought Saturday. It connected on two of three chances (by Matikka and King).

It also has the penalty kill cooking. The Pioneers went 4-for-4 (including a five-minute all-you-can-score buffet) and have killed off all 14 of their penalties over the past three games. That has to be particularly comforting after they allowed six PPGs combined against Providence, Boston College and Augustana. A case could be made that a stronger PK vs. Providence and Augustana would mean DU is undefeated right now.

The Pioneers also continue to score in bunches. They’ve hit five goals in five of eight games, and they’ve scored four or more in seven of eight (three against Providence is the exception).

Next: The Pioneers travel to Arizona State next weekend for a series against the future NCHC member Sun Devils. ASU was 5-1-1 going into Saturday’s game against Stonehill.

©First Line Editorial 2023