Why change now?

Denver won its third consecutive game in the NCAA Tournament by a 2-1 score on Thursday, knocking off Boston University when Tristan Broz scored his second overtime winner in three NCAA games at 11:09.

But the story, as it’s been down the stretch, was junior goaltender Matt Davis, who made 33 saves and has stopped an incredible 103 of 106 shots in the Tournament.

That puts the Pioneers (31-9-3) in Saturday’s championship game against Boston College.

“We’ve been in three of these 2-1 games, and those can go any way,” Denver coach David Carle said. “Matty Davis again was the best player for us. I’m really proud of our guys, the effort, the resilience.”

Broz Delivers in Clutch, Again

After Denver had taken control for stretches of the final 40 minutes of regulation, BU surged to start overtime. Davis, was up to the task, stopping a shot a minute.

“He’s been unbelievable,” Massimo Rizzo said. “He showed up when we needed him most. We’re super proud of him.”

Broz ended it after carrying the puck up the ice, veering to the top of the right circle and waiting until Mathieu Caron (27 saves) opened his pads. Broz’s shot also went between the legs of 6-foot-7 defenseman Cade Webber.

“I remember backchecking, it kind of got turned over to (Sean) Behrens at the left face-off dot and he made a nice pass to me,” Broz said of his 16th goal this season. “I knew it was kind of a 2-on-1, (Rizzo) had a step on the guy. We did that drill yesterday and I scored a few times trying to go five-hole. I just blacked out and it happened to go in.”

It was the latest step in a transformation for the transfer from Minnesota. The goal gave Broz 40 points, one season after a 28-point debut at Denver. The Minnesota native played in the Frozen Four in 2022 for his home state Gophers before coming to DU that summer.

“He’s fully bought into being a Pioneer,” Carle said. “He’s a great teammate. He stepped up in a big way when Rizzo went down.

“His care, the way he’s practiced the last month and the pace and energy he’s bringing to the rink every day doesn’t go unnoticed by (the coaches) or his teammates.”

Pioneers Overcome a Slow Start

The Terriers (28-10-2) showed most of the jump in the first period and took a lead at 7:45 on Luke Tuch’s short-handed breakaway. They won puck battles, possessed the puck more and generally brought more energy.

Only Davis’ superlative play kept it close in a period in which DU was outshot 10-3. His performance included a point-blank save on Hobey Baker finalist Macklin Celebrini in the opening minute.

“Another battle of a hockey game for us. I thought BU started excellently,” Carle said. “We started more on our heels. As the game went on we got more comfortable. The pace of game, winning races, we were able to put them on their heels in the second and third.”

The Pioneers, who only were whistled for one penalty and that was a matching minor, got back into it with a goal from a somewhat unlikely source, extra skater Tristan Lemyre.

The sophomore tallied just his second goal of the season and sixth of his NCAA career off a nice below-goal-line feed from Miko Matikka 4:39 into the second period.

Lemyre, who had played in 25 of 43 games this season, saw his role potentially reduced due to the return of Rizzo, who missed 14 games because of an injury.

“He’s been a big part of why we went 12-1-1 without Rizzo in the lineup,” Carle noted. “He’s been really good for us, fighting through an injury of his own. And he’s done everything right but hasn’t always had the opportunities.”

Happy Return for Rizzo

Speaking of Rizzo, he saw his role increase as the game wore on. Starting on the fourth line with Carter King and Connor Caponi, he eventually found his way back to the top line with Jack Devine and Broz.

“I thought he was good,” Carle said. “Massimo (was) a little bit rusty in the first period. In the second period, he was our guy possessing pucks, attacking on the inside, opening things up for others. I thought there was a lot to like, and I would expect him to be even better on Saturday.”

Given that Rizzo had 44 points in 28 games before he went down, that should bode well for Denver. And it could be particularly important given that King appeared to suffer a serious leg injury late in the game after blocking a shot and landing awkwardly.

Next Up: Top-Ranked Boston College

Next up for the Pioneers is star-studded Boston College, which defeated Michigan 4-0.

DU defeated the Eagles in Boston back in October. But the source of the Pioneers’ confidence heading into the final is more a result of their play in this tournament than an early-season game against another young team.

“We are 100 percent battle-tested,” Davis said. “BU had a tough regional as well. We were confident in all aspects of our game. We were able to showcase more of our skills than in Springfield.”

A victory on Saturday could put the high-altitude team in some rare air.

“We’re staring (an NCAA-record) 10 (national championships) in the mirror,” Carle said. “(We’re) really excited for that, can’t wait for that moment.”

©First Line Editorial 2023