DENVER – The University of Denver’s hockey team faced off against Alaska Anchorage last night, leading to a tense match that ended in overtime. With only 80 seconds left in the third period, sophomore James Reeder scored, tying the game at 3-3. Unfortunately, the Pioneers fell short in overtime, losing 4-3.
Despite outshooting the Seawolves 49-20, the Pioneers found themselves struggling to convert pressure into goals. The game saw rookie goalie Quentin Miller pulled for an extra attacker when Reeder capitalized on a rebound from a shot by freshman Kyle Chyzowski.
“More offensive execution is needed,” said head coach David Carle. “We had chances but broke down defensively, which cost us.”
Alaska Anchorage’s Dmitry Kebreau clinched the win with just over a minute left in the overtime. Joey Potter played a key role for the Seawolves, scoring twice, including a goal that put his team ahead late in the third period.
Junior forward Kieran Cebrian started the scoring by netting a goal early in the first period. Rieger Lorenz then made history by scoring the first penalty shot goal for DU since 2002.
In this thrilling matchup, Miller recorded 16 saves, while UAA’s goalie Tyler Krivtsov made an impressive 46 stops. The Pioneers had five power-play chances but couldn’t find the back of the net, while UAA scored once on six attempts.
Interestingly, this game marked the first time Denver hosted a Halloween match, adding a unique twist to the evening. Historically, Denver is 50-17-7 against UAA, but they saw an end to their five-game home winning streak against them.
In the faceoff circles, Denver excelled, winning 63.8% of the draws, which highlights their competitive edge. The team is aiming to bounce back in the series finale against Alaska Anchorage tonight at 6 p.m.
Key Takeaways:
- Scoring Summary:
- 1st Period: Cebrian (DU), Westin (UAA, power play)
- 2nd Period: Lorenz (DU, penalty shot), Potter (UAA)
- 3rd Period: Potter (UAA), Reeder (DU)
- Overtime: Kebreau (UAA)
Expert Insight:
Sports analyst Dr. Emily Stratton highlights, “The dynamics of the game often shift dramatically in overtime. It requires not only skill but mental resilience. This match underscores the need for teams to capitalize on every opportunity.”
As the Pioneers look to recover, they must focus on converting chances into points, a crucial skill for success in this competitive season.
