Top-ranked Denver solid, holds serve against No. 6 Boston College, earns weekend sweep

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(Tim Brule)
An explosive second period was a game changer for Denver as the No 1 Pioneers completed the weekend sweep of sixth-ranked Boston College (photo: Nick Monaghan/Denver Athletics).

Top-ranked Denver exploded for three goals in a 2 minute, 37 second period in the middle frame of a battle agains Boston College to flip a basically even game and earn a 6-4 victory over the sixth-ranked Eagles, and earn the weekend sweep.

Tyson McLellan, his second of the game, Ian Mitchell and Liam Finlay all found the back of the net in the middle stanza for the Pioneers domination. A late power play goal by Bobby Brink put away the game.

That said, Denver didn’t exactly dominate the first, allowing Alex Newhook to give BC an early lead. But McLellan and Jake Durfinger stuck quickly before Aapeli Rasanen found the equalizer for the Eagles sending the game to the intermission tied at 2.

The third became interesting as the Eagles found late goals. Mike Hardman scored at 2:49 of the third to make the game interesting and Jake McBain shot through a massive screen with 5:24 left gave the game plenty of excitement.

No. 2 Minnesota State 2, No. 16 North Dakota 1

A night after a crazy back-and-forth 4-4 tie, host Minnesota State found a way to come from behind and earn a 2-1 victory over North Dakota.

Shane Pinto got the Fighting Hawks on the board at 10:59 of the first.

But Mike Michaelis wasted little time in the middle period evening the game, scoring at the 26 second mark.

Edwin Hookensonson scored his second of the weekend at 5:21 of the third, a lead the Mavericks would never relinquish.

Dryden Mackey made 34 saves to earn the victory.

Omaha 2, No. 12 Ohio State 1

Joey Abate’s goal with 7:30 remaining in regulation broke a 1-1 tied and gave Omaha the upset victory and weekend split with host Ohio State.

The Buckeyes power play, and its inability to score, was a difference in the game. Twice Omaha took five-minute major penalties, but found ways to kill the penalties. Omaha was 5-for-5 on the penalty kill on the night.

Isaiah Saville made 37 saves to earn the victory.

No. 17 Wisconsin 3, No. 3 Minnesota Duluth 1

Wisconsin never trailed against the number three team in the nation and reigning national champs, earning a weekend sweep, as David Lebedeff finished with 31 saves to help the Badgers to a 3-1 victory.

The Badgers jumped to a 2-0 lead on goals by Alex Turcotte at 5:04 of the first and Ty Pelton-Byce at 12:09 of the second.

Noah Cates made sure the third was competitive scoring with 5:35 left in the second.

But Sean Dhooghe’s empty net tally with 36 saves added the necessary insurance to give the Badgers the impressive sweep.

Bowling Green 2, No. 14 Western Michigan 1 (OT)

By identical scores, Bowling Green an sweep of the weekend, taking down No. 14 Western Michigan, 2-1, for the second consecutive night.

Saturday’s game went to overtime as Cameron Wright scored just 11 seconds into the extra period.

It was a game with plenty of shots, particularly by the Broncos, who posted 38 shots on Eric Doppelgänger’s. But the Falcons found a way to prevail and earn the weekend sweep.

Northern Michigan 4, No. 20 Boston University 3

The visiting Wildcats had a statement weekend taking three-of-four points against a ranked Boston University team.

Vincent de Mey scored twice, adding to a goal on Friday, and Darien Craighead posted a goal and assist in the victory.

The Wildcats never trailed in the game, but it became a close situation late when Jake Wise pulled the Terriers within a goal.

Nolan Kent, though, finished with 27 saves to earn the win.

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