Strong goaltending and a timely goal lifted No. 6 Denver past No. 9 Ohio State, 2-0, in an NCAA Tournament West Regional semifinal on Friday at Fargo, N.D.

Filip Larsson made 24 saves – half of those in the first period – for his third shutout of the season, Les Lancaster scored the first goal of the game with 58 seconds left in the second period, and Colin Staub iced the game with a last-minute n empty netter for the Pioneers (23-11-5).

The victory over a Buckeyes team that ended their 2017-18 season in the Midwest Regional final, puts DU into the elite eight for the fifth consecutive season. It also earned coach David Carle his first NCAA Tournament win.

“(The NCAA success) speaks to the stability of our program, the expectations we have,” Carle said. “We’ve found a formula for consistent success and we’re proud of it.”

That formula includes 20-win seasons (18 in a row) and NCAA Tournament appearances (12 consecutive), two categories the Pioneers are the NCAA’s active leaders in.

Steady as he goes

Larsson, the unflappable freshman who has split time with Devin Cooley this season, was a brick wall in the first period, when Ohio State generated more than twice as many shots on goal, including a pair of breakaways and a few chances in tight. He also had to stop two point-blank shots, one by Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Dakota Joshua, in the opening minutes of the second.

“Filip and Devin are our co-MVPs, and both of them have become close in the second half,” Carle said. “They cheer for one another. Both of them give us a chance to win on any given night.”

On this night the Pioneers also needed to come up with a way to generate some chances after Ohio State (20-11-5) started off the way they finished last season’s meeting (a 5-1 Buckeyes win) – by sealing off the scoring areas.

Lancaster, who was active all game, gave DU a much-needed shot of adrenaline in the final minute of the second period.

Michael Davies got the puck out of DU’s zone and up to Emilio Pettersen, the freshman crossed the OSU line and found Lancaster flying down the right wing. The senior unleashed a shot that beat Tommy Nappier (11 saves) high and to the short (glove) side.

“It’s really special because this is my only opportunity at it,” said Lancaster, a graduate transfer who played his first three seasons at Mercyhurst. “I can’t take anything for granted.”

Holding down the fort

The Pioneers’ superior speed began to take its toll on Ohio State as the game wore. Even when the Buckeyes could gain the offensive zone, they didn’t enjoy many extended stays.

“We did it with great goaltending in the first period and then we did a better job taking away time and space,” Carle said. “Goals have not come easy.

“I’m really proud of our group, they are committed to good, sound defense.”

After the Buckeyes’ 12-shot first-period outburst, they managed just 12 more the rest of the game.

Denver won the game despite just 13 shots on goal and getting creamed in the face-off circle (won just 13 of 50 or 26 percent), typically a harbinger of bad things for a team that is defined in part by puck possession and pressure.

But the Pioneers remain unfazed by those numbers, instead focusing on the possibilities.

“We know in that locker room we have a team that can go all the way,” Lancaster said.

Denver’s three stars

1. Filip Larsson. The freshman was solid throughout, terrific in the first period, and finished with 24 saves for his third shutout.
2. Les Lancaster. The defenseman was active all game, no more so than in the last minute of the second period when he scored the game’s first goal.
3. Emilio Pettersen. He found Lancaster for his goal and seemed to pick up steam as the game went along.

Up next

On Saturday night, the Pioneers will play American International, which stunned No. 1 St. Cloud State, 2-1, later Friday for the West Regional title and a Frozen Four berth. ESPNU will televise the game at 7 p.m.

©First Line Editorial 2017-19