The University of Denver Pioneers (18-9-8) fell to the Colorado College Tigers (15-15-5), 2-0, on Friday at Magness Arena.
Colorado College scored twice in the third period to defeat Denver and take the first game of the NCHC Quarterfinal best-of-three series.
“Colorado College was better than us on special teams and they were better than us in desperation areas,” Denver coach Jim Montgomery said. “I’m excited to see how we’re going to be with our backs against the wall. We haven’t had a sense of urgency all year and if we don’t have it tomorrow night we’ll really have some worries.”
The teams skated through two (2) scoreless periods before the Tigers gained an advantage.
Colorado College broke the tie on the power play at 5:07 of the third period after Kristian Blumenschei’s shot from the blue line yielded a rebound for Westin Michaud in front of the net. Michaud’s goal gave the Tigers a 1-0 edge. Four (4) minutes later, the Tigers struck again as Trey Bradley’s broken deke put the puck on the stick of Mason Bergh who buried a shot from the slot to give Colorado College a 2-0 lead midway through the third period.
The Pioneers had a chance to crack into the 2-0 deficit with a power play at 13:30 of the third period, but Henrik Borgström’s shot off the crossbar marked the best opportunity.
Tanner Jaillet made 21 saves. Denver finished 0/3 on the power play and 1/2 on the penalty kill.
