The way things have gone for No. 6 Denver’s offense since NCHC play resumed in January, it will take small victories were it can.

In a stretch in which the Pioneers have scored more than two goals just seven times in 20 games, a potentially positive development is taking place.

The recently formed line of Tyson McLellan flanked by fellow junior Liam Finlay and freshman Brett Stapley erupted for eight points in Saturday’s 6-1 rout of Colorado College in the NCHC consolation game. That gives Ohio State, Friday’s opponent in an NCAA Tournament opener at Fargo, N.D., another offensive threat to think about beyond the top line of senior Jarid Lukosevicius and freshmen Cole Guttman and Emilio Pettersen.

The McLellan-Finlay-Stapley trio’s performance also was notable because it marked a couple of welcome returns to the scoresheet and a continuation of a recent hot streak.

Back in the mix

Stapley, who started the season like a house on fire, had not scored since Jan. 26 and missed seven games in that span. That stood in contrast to how he started, putting up 12 points before December. He began the season centering Finlay and Colin Staub and played a key role in Finlay’s fast start as well.

McLellan had not played with Stapley much before the NCHC quarterfinal series against North Dakota, and the assistant captain quickly recognized what Stapley can contribute to a line.

“He brings a unique element – he can slow down a game or speed it up,” McLellan said. “He helps us read him when he has the puck. It’s been a good dynamic, and it only comes with certain people.”

It’s certainly helped McLellan, who for the second time in three seasons has heated up down the stretch. He has eight of his career-high 12 points in the past 10 games.

Playing with Finlay has been a bonus, he said.

“We had a lot of success our freshman year together with Nicky (Henrik Borgstrom),” McLellan said. “We’re roommates here and we skate together during the summer in Kelowna (British Columbia). We know how each other plays.

“We’re not the biggest line but we all have a speed element. We try to spread it out and move the puck around. Overall, our team has more success when we play with that pace.”

McLellan said it took him longer than he expected to get back to playing at a high level this season after he underwent reconstructive shoulder surgery last season.

“I didn’t have the start I wanted; I didn’t think it would be as hard as it was to get back to where I wanted to be,” he added. “Once I felt comfortable again I was able to get back to playing a 200-foot game, which I take pride in. Penalty killing, faceoffs, the details, those are things I take pride in.”

Offensive leader emerges

Finlay’s breakout performance obviously was welcomed, too, but it wasn’t unexpected given that in spite of his recent struggles (one point in eight games before Saturday), he still leads the Pioneers with 35 points – as many as he scored during his freshman and sophomore seasons combined.

Assistant coach Tavis MacMillan said the 5-foot-7 Finlay has made a key change to his game this season, and the points have followed.

“He’s an offensive catalyst for us, but in a different way than Luko, who is more powerful and can blow pucks past goalies,” MacMillan said. “Fins has to get to the middle of the ice and place his pucks. That’s harder to do in the playoffs, when it’s is hard hockey, but he’s proven he can do it.”

McLellan noted that Finlay is a completely different player this season for one big reason.

“He’s always had the talent and skill,” McLellan said. “But when he plays with confidence and shoots the puck, he’ll find ways to beat goalies.”

Finlay, whose stick never met a puck it didn’t like, agrees with the “Mac” assessments.

“I want to have the puck, and if I don’t have it I have to use my instincts to get to areas at the right time,” Finlay said. “I’m getting my groove back this season, and a lot of that is going to the net more.”

Entering the NCAA Tournament, the Pioneers are tied for 34th in goals (107). As well as its defense is playing – it’s 79 goals allowed are tied for the 10th fewest – it still needs some offensive production to move into the elite eight for the fifth season in a row. How well DU’s speedy forward trio can get pucks to the net from scoring areas likely will have a big say in how successful they are against Ohio State.

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