The Denver Pioneers hockey team has put themselves in a good position to move to No. 1 in the college hockey rankings next week. They defeated the No. 1 Boston College Eagles, 4-2, on the road.
Jason Zucker put the Pioneers in the 1-0 lead at 3:27 in the first period with a breakaway goal (an assist to Dustin Jackson), but it was a short-lived advantage. An interference call on Paul Phillips had the Eagles on the power play, and Barry Almeida shot one past Adam Murray at 6:05. The Pioneers had two more penalties in the first period, but the Eagles were unable to take advantage of either.
The Pioneers came back with a vengeance in the second period when Beau Bennett put one at the back of Boston College's net just 55 second after play resumed. Paul Phillips and Scott Mayfield received assists on the goal. Nearly eight minutes later, Drew Shore had the Pioneers up by two goals. Jason Zucker picked up his second point of the night by picking up an assist on the play (Luke Salazar had the secondary assist).
Boston College's Kevin Hayes narrowed the Pioneers' lead to 3-2 with a goal just after the 17:00 mark. Barry Almeida assisted on the play. Both players finished the game with an assist and a goal. Chad Kreider also picked up a point with an assist on Almeida's goal.
Sophomore defender David Makowski picked up an empty net goal (assist to Nick Shore) once Parker Milner left the game. Milner made 18 saves to Murray's 21.
The No. 3 Pioneers continue the season on Saturday night with a contest against the Boston University Terriers. The puck drops in Boston at 5:05 p.m. MT.
Visit the Western College Hockey Blog and BC Interruption for more college hockey.