The Denver Pioneers dropped the puck on their 2011 exhibition schedule with a game against McGill University on Saturday night at Magness Arena. The Pioneers finished the game in a 2-2 tie.
Sophomore forward Jason Zucker was the offensive star of the night for the Pioneers. He scored the first goal of the game midway through the first period. Beau Bennett and David Makowski assisted on the power play. Zucker also scored the second Pioneers goal of the game when he put another one behind Morin Hubert in McGill's net. Drew Shore and Luke Salazar assisted on the goal that came with around three minutes left to play in the game.
In between those scores, McGill actually had the lead for a good portion of the third quarter. Francis Verreault-Paul netted the puck as the buzzer sounded at the end of the second period to tie the game at one. Benoit Levesque put McGill up, 2-1, at 11:42 in the third period.
Sophomore Junior Adam Murray allowed the second period goal, but he also made 17 saves. Freshman Juho Olkinuora received the tie after allowing the third period goal and making 10 saves.
McGill faces Colorado College in an exhibition on Sunday while the Pioneers return to the ice for another exhibition at Magness Arena on Friday, Oct. 7. The Pios will play the U.S. Under-18 Team.