Massimo Rizzo scored 1:02 into overtime to give freshman goaltender Paxton Geisel a 6-5 victory over No. 13 Western Michigan in his Geisel’s NCAA debut Saturday.

Rizzo walked off the goal line, fired a shot that Cameron Rowe made a stick save on and then collected the rebound and shot past Rowe’s right side.

What a move by Massimo Rizzo to win it!#GoPios pic.twitter.com/G1Q06IzBst

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) December 10, 2023

Geisel, who joined the Pioneers (12-5-1, 5-3-0 NCHC) two weeks ago from Dubuque of the United States Hockey League, made 31 saves. He became the third goalie to make a start for DU. Fellow freshman Freddie Halyk had started 12 consecutive games after junior Matt Davis started the first five. Davis has a lower-body injury, and no timetable has been set for his return.

Important Points

Denver had a chance to take three points and gain a full series split, but the Broncos tied the score with 14 seconds to play and Rowe (29 saves) pulled. Geisel had no chance on Sam Colangelo’s pass from the right circle to Joe Cassetti on the back door.

This marked the second consecutive weekend DU salvaged two of six NCHC points with a Saturday night OT win. However, if this becomes a trend it could cost in terms of the league standings and playoff seeding.

Another Fast Start

For the second night in a row, the Pioneers took an early lead. On Friday, McKade Webster scored on a power play. On Saturday, Tristan Broz got an even-strength marker 2:34 in.

Freshman Miko Matikka made it 2-0 with his third goal of the weekend with 9:09 to go in the first on a power play. Casetti drew WMU to 2-1 before Sean Behrens (power play) and WMU’s Ethan Phillips traded goals in the next two minutes.

Matikka struck during a four-on-four situation just 43 seconds into the second, his 11th goal of the season. But the Broncos got the next two late in the second and 50 seconds into the third to tie it.

Top Line Delivers

Largely silent most of the weekend, at least by their prolific scoring standards, Rizzo and Jack Devine went to work late in the game. Devine cleaned up a rebound of Webster’s shot with 4:27 to play to re-establish DU’s lead. That was the junior’s NCAA-best — and career-high — 15th goal.

Jack Devine puts the Pioneers in front with less than 5 minutes to play for tonight's @Safeway Goal of the Game!#GoPios pic.twitter.com/g6yG73txg0

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) December 10, 2023

Rizzo’s goal was his NCAA-leading 31st point and seventh tally. Devine is second with 28 points, which is just three fewer than he had all last season.

Defenseman Zeev Buium added two more assists, and his 25 points are tied for third in Division I. Fellow freshman D Boston Buckberger had three assists.

Notes

The Pioneers are off until a Dec. 30 exhibition against Minot State. Coach David Carle, director of hockey ops Travis Culhane and equipment manager Nick Meldrum won’t be with the team for that one due to their participation in the World Junior Championships. Buium, who made the preliminary roster, probably will be busy as well. … One night after the penalty kill went 0-for-3 in a 7-3 washout, the Pioneers were successful on both of their kills.

©First Line Editorial