Fifth-ranked Denver scored a goal in each of the first two periods and Magnus Chrona had 23 saves as the Pioneers defeated Colorado College, 2-0, Friday night in front of 17,952 fans at Ball Arena in Denver.
 
The crowd was the second-largest to see a college hockey game in the country this season, trailing only the Frozen Fenway outdoor game between UMass and Boston College on Jan. 7, which drew 22,500 fans.
 
The Pioneers struck first when Jared Wright deflected a shot by Kyle Mayhew past CC goalie Kaidan Mbereko at the 5:02 mark of the opening period.
 
Denver doubled the lead at the 12:38 mark of the second period. McKade Webster drove down the right side and centered the puck to Connor Caponi, who had an open net.
 
CC's Jack Millar was whistled for a 5-minute cross-checking major and game misconduct later in the middle frame, but Mbereko came up with seven saves and the Tigers killed the penalty.
 
Mbereko kept the Tigers within striking distance with 28 of his 39 saves coming in the final two periods, including a couple of highlight stops in the final frame.
 
Denver outshot CC, 41-23, including 16 on four power-play opportunities. The Tigers, who lead the NCHC in penalty kill percentage in league games, killed off all four, but went 0-for-3 with a man advantage.
 
The two teams will continue the Battle for the Gold Pan on Saturday, Feb. 4, at Robson Arena, beginning at 6 p.m.