Game three rout sends DU Pioneers to NCHC semifinals

The second-seeded Denver Pioneers carried over their momentum from a come-from-behind win Saturday night to eliminate Colorado College in Sunday night’s series finale at Magness Arena. The 6-1 win closed out any hope for a surprise upset from the Tigers, who saw their season end with no hope for a bid to the NCAA tournament.

Troy Terry was once again calm under pressure with his team facing elimination, dishing out four assists one night after notching the game-tying and game-winning goals. Jarid Lukosevicius added two goals and an assist, while five other Pioneers added goals.

After heroic performances in the series’ first two contests, CC goaltender Alex Leclerc ran out of magic on Sunday night. After facing 29 shots through 34 minutes of ice time, Leclerc was pulled after allowing his fourth goal of the game.

As they had in the first two games of the series, DU dominated puck possession and dictated the pace of play throughout. Without Leclerc standing on his head, the contest was never in doubt and got out of hand thanks to a 3-goal second period that sent DU into the final period leading 5-0.

The win puts Denver at 20 overall for the season, extending a NCAA-best streak of 17-straight seasons hitting the mark.

Like DU, all other higher-seeded teams hosting first round series in the NCHC advanced to the semifinals. The Pioneers will face third-seeded Minnesota Duluth at the Frozen Faceoff in St. Paul, Minnesota Friday. UMD swept past Western Michigan easily in the first round. The winner of that contest will face the winner of #1 St. Cloud State and #4 North Dakota in the title game Saturday.