The Denver Pioneers scored two goals in the last minute to pull even with the Minnesota State Mavericks, 3-3, in Western Collegiate Hockey Association play Saturday night at Magness Arena. With the tie Denver is 15-6-4, 6-5-4 and Minnesota State is 9-7-7, 7-5-5.
“We were very fortunate to get the tie and one point,” said head coach George Gwozdecky . “That is not to say that we are pleased with the result. We know that it is going to take a 100 percent effort all 60 minutes to win the game.”
The Pioneers scored on their third shot of the evening as sophomore Luke Fulghum took a pass from junior Max Bull on a two-on-one shorthanded rush. Fulghum was able to beat Jon Volp top-shelf for his fourth goal of the year.
The Mavericks responded less than two minutes later, using a man-advantage to tie the score at 1-1. Grant Stevenson’s rebound found the stick of Cole Bassett who then beat Wade Dubielewicz. Denver was outshot 13-5, but Dubielewicz made three point-blank saves to keep the Pioneers in the game.
Denver was more aggressive in the second period but was not able to capitalize on a couple of great opportunities. Dubielewicz continued his outstanding play, keeping the Mavericks in their saddle for another period. The senior stopped 12 more shots during the second frame.
MSU ended the 22:29 scoring drought with a power-play goal at the 9:01 mark of the third period. Joe Bourne deflected a Jake Brenk shot past Dubielewizc stick-side. Minnesota State went up 3-1 one minute later as Stevenson put home a loose puck after a Joseph shot.
The Pioneers pulled Dubielewicz with just over a minute remaining and Fulghum responded by scoring his second goal of the night to pull Denver within one. Sophomore Kevin Ulanski finished the job, tying the score at 3-3.
Dubielewicz had 32 saves while Volp had 30.
