Eighth-ranked Denver scored three times in the third period and Devin Cooley made 24 saves to lead the Pioneers past Colorado College, 3-0, Friday in the first game of the Battle for the Gold Pan at Magness Arena.
 
Following a tripping call to Nick Halloran 1:40 into the third period, the Pioneers kept the puck in the zone for the ensuing power play. Emilio Pettersen collected the puck to the right of CC goalie Matt Vernon and placed the puck into the top corner from the goal line at the 2:23 mark of the final period.
 
Cole Guttman put the Pioneers ahead 2-0 at the 6:57 mark of the third while the teams were skating 4-on-4. He took a pass from Pettersen at the left circle, skated past the crease and put a shot past a sprawling Vernon.
 
After a scoreless first period in which the Pioneers outshot CC, 14-6, the Tigers rebounded and outplayed the Pioneers in the second period.
 
CC had a couple of golden opportunities in the middle frame, with Nick Halloran just missing an open net off a 3-on-1 rush early in the period, then Bryan Yoon getting a great look from the right side of the net, but Cooley slid over to make a great save with 4:24 remaining in the frame.
 
Grant Cruikshank found himself all alone in front but was denied by Cooley just before Guttman's goal. Brett Edwards scored an empty-net goal with 56.8 seconds remaining for the final tally.
 
What Head Coach Mike Haviland Said
"We had our power-play chances tonight and just didn't generate. Their guy (Cooley) made some great saves and Vernon made some great saves."
 
"Too many passengers tonight. We have to upgrade our compete level tomorrow."
 
"There's an awful lot on the line tomorrow. Spots in the conference and the Gold Pan. We'll make some adjustments."
 
"Vernon has been good all season, other than the one period vs. Michigan State he's been real good."
 
Three Stars of the Game
1. Devin Cooley, Denver (24 saves)
2. Emilio Pettersen, Denver (1g, 1a)
3. Cole Guttman, Denver (1g)
 
Colorado College Notes
The Tigers fell to 6-6-1 overall and 2-4-1 in the NCHC
Bryan Yoon, Alex Berardinelli, Connor Mayer and Zach Berzolla led CC with three shots
Matt Vernon finished with 28 saves
Denver outshot CC, 31-24
CC was 0-3 on the power play; Denver was 1-3
 
Up Next
The Tigers and Denver wrap up their home-and-home series on Saturday, Dec. 14 at The Broadmoor World Arena, beginning at 7 p.m.