The Denver Pioneers improved to 2-1 on the season with a 4-2 victory on Friday night at Magness Arena. This was the team's first conference win and their first at home this season. Luke Salazar was the star of the game with two goals.
The Mavericks opened the scoring late in the first period (15:24) with a Jean-Paul Lafontaine goal. Evan Mosey and Justin Jokinen received assists on the play. The Pioneers were quiet until midway through the second period. Justin Zucker took a shot against Austin Lee, but it missed. Luke Salazar picked up the rebound and shot it into the back of the net, tying the game at one. Salazar came back with his second goal of the game and third of the season at 19:11 in the period.
Minnesota State's Zach Lehrke tied the game at 1:17 in the third period, but Drew Shore came back five minutes later with a power play goal (3). That was the Pioneers' first power play goal of the season. Zucker picked up his second assist of the game on the score and Beau Bennett had the secondary assist. Drew's brother, Nick, scored an empty net goal at 19:18. Bennett had his second goal of the game.
Pioneers goaltender Adam Murray made 21 saves on 23 shots for the victory.
This series concludes on Saturday night at 7:07 p.m. MT. As part of Pioneer Athletics Day on Saturday, the game will be broadcast live on Facebook.
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