Four members of the Denver hockey program captured gold at the World Junior Championships on Friday.

Coach David Carle guided Team USA to a 6-2 victory over host Sweden and a 6-1 record in the tournament. Freshman defenseman Zeev Buium had five points including three goals. DU Director of Hocker Operations Travis Culhane served as video coach, and Nick Meldrum was the equipment manager, just as he is for the Pioneers.

Carle’s coaching staff included former DU assistants Steve Miller and David Lassonde.

“The guys played excellent today,” Carle told usahockey.com “It’s a joy for them. They focused on getting to this game and playing their best for the last game of the tournament and I thought they did that. It’s a great honor to be a part of a winning team.”

One of Buium’s goals came in the gold-medal game.

Pioneers Pull Away from Niagara

No. 5 DU pulled away from Niagara in a non-conference game, 5-2. The victory was the 700th in the history of Magness Arena.

Jack Devine scored two goals, giving him an NCAA-best 17. Carter scored his 11th, and Kent Anderson (third) and Rieger Lorenz (seventh) also struck.

At least as important was the healthy return of junior goaltender Matt Davis, who had not played in an NCAA game since sustaining a lower-body injury in October. Davis, who played a period in last week’s exhibition against Minot State, made 22 saves Friday.

Notes

Massimo Rizzo, who had the primary assist on Devine’s second goal, played for Team Canada in the Spengler Cup in late December. Rizzo had two assists in four games. … Buium was selected as the NCHC’s rookie of the month for December. He had a goal and six assists in four games. He was the league’s player of the month in November. … DU and Niagara wrap up their series Saturday at 6 p.m.

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