So that’s how you want to play it?

No problem for top-ranked Denver. One of Division I hockey’s offensive juggernauts proved Friday night that it can win a tight-checking, hard-fought road game where goals are at a premium.

The Pioneers rode a second-period goal from Logan O’Connor to a 1-0 victory over No. 15 Minnesota Duluth in the teams’ first meeting since April’s NCAA championship game.

Tanner Jaillet was masterful in net for the Pioneers (8-3-2, 4-3 NCHC), stopping all 28 Bulldogs shots he faced, including 12 in the third period. It was his first shutout of the season.

O’Connor’s goal 2:51 into the second period typified the game. He and Gambrell worked to control the puck below the UMD goal line. Eventually he got it to Gambrell at goaltender Hunter Shepard‘s left. Gambrell’s shot hit a pad but O’Connor found the rebound and sand wedged it off Shepard’s right shoulder and into the net.

Neither team scored on its three power-play chances. The Pioneers (26 shots on goal) got a big kill in the closing minutes.

The game also marked the first time in 11 games that sophomore Henrik Borgstrom did not record a point.

Denver’s three stars

1. Tanner Jaillet. The senior played his best game of the season, stopping 28 shots.
2. Logan O’Connor. Worked and worked and scored the game’s only goal.
3. Dylan Gambrell. Good in the circle and formed a strong trio with O’Connor and Jaakko Heikkinen.

Up next

The teams face off again Saturday at 6:05 p.m. in Duluth.