GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Ninth-ranked Denver tallied seven goals to defeat sixth-ranked UND in front of a crowd of 11,261 Saturday night at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The win was Denver’s first against a ranked team.
Denver raised its record to 3-3-0 overall and 1-1-0 in the WCHA, while North Dakota fell to 5-2-1 overall and 1-1-0 in the WCHA. The loss snapped UND’s five-game unbeaten streak.
After a scoreless first period by both teams, Denver opened up the scoring 3:20 minutes into the second with an unassisted goal by defenseman Matt Carle from the slot, who picked up an errant Sioux clearing attempt.
Pioneers’ forward Ryan Dingle made it 2-0 less than two minutes later, with Gabe Gauthier and Adrian Veideman picking up assists. It was Dingle’s team-leading fourth goal of the year.
UND didn’t stay quiet for long. Chris Porter (Jr., Thunder Bay, Ontario) took a long pass from Matt Smaby (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn.) at the DU blue line and beat Pioneers’ goalie Peter Mannino with a wrist shot.
The Fighting Sioux tied the game, 2-2, at 12:10 as the Pioneers got two quick penalties to give UND a five-on-three advantage. Taylor Chorney (Fr., Hastings, Minn.) scored for the Sioux, recording his first career goal on a shot from the right point. He was assisted by Brian Lee (Fr., Moorhead, Minn.) and Drew Stafford (Jr., Faribault, Minn.).
The Pioneers regained the lead at 14:51 of the second when Gauthier scored off a high wrist shot from the goal line.
Denver made it 4-2 with a power play goal by Carle 1:34 into the third and 5-2 on a goal by Ryan Helgason just over six minutes later.
Two goals in the final four minutes, including one empty net goal, made the final 7-2.
North Dakota outshot Denver, 27-25, in the game. The Pioneers were 3-of-6 on the power play, while UND was 2-of-7.
Both teams continue WCHA play next weekend as the Pioneers return home to take on Michigan Tech, while the Fighting Sioux play host to Wisconsin.
