Conspicuously absent for two seasons, the Gold Pan suddenly is within a single point of Colorado College's grasp.

The Tigers, who have hoisted the coveted trophy in 10 of its previous 18 years of existence, will raise it for the first time since 2009 at the World Arena on Saturday if they can complete a weekend sweep of, or even tie with, the University of Denver.

They took a giant step toward one of their annual goals on Friday by blanking the Pioneers, 2-0, in the opener of the their WCHA series at Denver's Magness Arena.

Sophomore netminder Josh Thorimbert continued his spectacularly stingy play between the pipes, turned away all 29 shots he faced while posting the team's first shutout of the season and the second of his collegiate career.

“It's a carryover from how he has played since Mankato,” said head coach Scott Owens. “He's seeing the puck well and he's staying calm.”

A first-period power-play goal by sophomore left wing Jaden Schwartz was all the cushion Thorimbert needed to lift CC past the 13th-ranked Pioneers and back into third place in the league standings with nine games to play. Schwartz also helped set up an empty-net tally by senior center David Civitarese that sealed DU's doom with 49.2 seconds left to play.

“It was a solid team effort,” said Thorimbert, who has backstopped seven victories while starting 10 of the last 12 outings. “Everyone played great defensively. Getting that first shutout definitely feels good, especially against Denver.”

WIth the victory, Colorado College improved to 15-9-1 overall and 12-7 in WCHA play. Denver dropped into fourth place with a 10-6-3 conference mark, is 15-9-3 overall after seeing its five-game winning streak come to an end.

The Tigers, who had lost in their previous three appearances at Magness, arrived very early but hit the ice ready to play. They out-shot their archrival, 15-4, in the opening 20 minutes and grabbed the lead at 11:48 when Schwartz shelved a wrist shot from the slot past sophomore goalie Sam Brittain during the second of three CC power plays. Older brother Rylan Schwartz and senior defenseman Gabe Guentzel assisted on the game winner.

Brittain, making just his second start of the season since returning from an injury, also was stellar in net with 33 saves. Colorado College finished with a 35-29 edge in shots on goal while beating DU for the second time in three tries overall this season.

““We want that Gold Pan back – bottom line,” CC captain Nick Dineen said.

And the opportunity is close at hand as the teams meet in Saturday's completely sold out rematch in Colorado Springs.