Tristan Broz Sends Denver Pioneers To Regional Final

Following the goal, Denver continued to push forward and generated a 7-4 scoring chances advantage just under nine minutes into the period. The Minutemen shifted the momentum using their physicality as Denver senior forward Connor Caponi was leveled in the corner.

“We just had to stick to our foundation and our identity,” said UMass junior defenseman Ryan Ufko. “We know that we’re a big, fast team, so that physicality was something that we really preached, and I feel like that really helped us.”

That hit got UMass going again, which led to a scramble in front of the Pioneers’ net. Davis stopped Owen Murray‘s first two whacks at the puck before Liam Gorman scored from the side of the cage to knot the game at one.

UMass was buzzing offensively following Gorman’s goal, with Davis needing to make several big saves to close out the period.

Unlike the first period, the Pioneers were outshot 14-7 in the frame.

3rd Period

With both teams tightening up defensively, the first seven minutes of the third period saw UMass generate the only shot on goal.

Junior foward Carter King found sophomore Tristan Lemyre from below the net, but the latter’s shot from the slot sailed wide of the net.

With under 12 minutes left in regulation, junior defenseman Sean Behrens drove hard to the net, drawing a hooking penalty. On the power play, Denver forced just three shots on goal as the Minutemen’s penalty kill frustrated the Pioneers.

“(UMass) played really hard,” said Tristan Broz. “It was a really good battle there. Their season was on the line, so was ours. That was a heck of a hockey game.”

Aidan Thompson fanned on a shot near the blueline with seven minutes left in regulation and was called for interference trying to prevent a breakaway for UMass. The Minutemen generated four shots on goal on the man advantage but could not get one past Davis.

UMass finished regulation with a 28-24 shots on goal advantage.

1st Overtime

The extra session began much like regulation, with both teams exchanging chances.

However, Denver had a golden opportunity that came less than three minutes in. King carried the puck into the offensive zone, curled in tight toward the net, and fed Devine, but UMass netminder Michael Hrabal kept the puck out of the net.

“He played a heck of a hockey game,” Davis said of his counterpart. “It was fun. He’s a competitor, and it was fun to play against him.”

Devine had another chance to end the game eight minutes into the frame. However, his wraparound attempt was stuffed into the side of the Minutemen’s net.

At the other end, Davis made an incredible shoulder save after UMass’s centering feed was tipped off the Denver netminder. With under 90 seconds left in the first overtime period, Davis nearly made a costly misplay of the puck behind the net. UMass sent a backhanded centering feed but did not have a body in front of the wide-open net.

2nd Overtime

Early in double overtime, UMass generated back-to-back scoring chances on a pair of shots from freshman Jack Musa and junior Ryan Lautenbach. However, as he did all game, Davis stood tall in net.

Denver freshman Sam Harris was called for tripping less than four minutes into the frame, sending UMass to their second power play of the night. Davis made a sprawling save off the faceoff but remained down on the ice.

Freshman Freddie Halyk was preparing to come in, but Davis stayed in the game.

“I’m all good,” Davis told reporters following the game. “Long game, humid out there.”

Just before the power play expired, McKade Webster stole the puck in the neutral zone and led an odd-man shorthanded rush up ice. The Denver senior forward fired the puck but his shot went wide of the net.

With under eight minutes left, the Pioneers won a puck battle below the UMass net. Tristan Broz came out of the pack and dished the puck up to Buckberger. The freshman defenseman sent it back to Broz, who skated through the slot before firing a shot through traffic and finding the back of the net.

With the win, the Pioneers are set for a rematch with No. 3-seed Cornell in the Regional Final on Saturday. The Big Red upset No. 2-seed Maine 3-1 in the semifinal round.

(Featured Image Credit: ESPN)