Riley Stuart scored and Kaidan Mbereko had 29 saves for Colorado College Friday night, but 4^th-ranked Denver pulled out a 2-1 overtime victory over the No. 17 Tigers at Magness Arena in the first game of the 2025-26 edition of The Gold Pan series.
 
The Pioneers improved to 7-3-1 overall and 3-0-0 in the NCHC, while CC is now 6-4-1 overall and 1-3-1 in the league.
 
The Tigers outshot Denver, 12-10, in a scoreless first period, which included a penalty shot by Tomas Mrsic at the 12:35 mark after the Pioneers were called for covering the puck in the crease. Mrsic's shot, CC's first penalty shot since Feb. 10, 2023, was saved by Denver goalie Quentin Miller (29 saves).
 
Neither team scored in the second period and each had eight shots on goal.
 
Stuart broke the deadlock at the 5:41 mark of the third period when Ryan Alexander sent him a centering pass from the left boards and he cleanly beat Miller for his second goal of the season. Alexander collected his third assist of the campaign, as did Connor Hvidston.
 
Denver's Eric Pohlkamp evened the score with 3:26 remaining in the third period. Sam Harris took a shot from the high slot that Mbereko stopped. The puck went up in the air and came down in front of Mbereko, and Harris got another crack at it. Mbereko saved Harris' backhander but Pohlkamp was at the right circle and put home the rebound.
 
Denver's Boston Buckberger ended the contest 3:34 into overtime as the Tigers went to an extra frame for the second time in the last three games and the third time this season.

Denver held a 31-30 shot advantage, including a 12-7 margin in the third period. Neither team scored on the power play as CC had three opportunities and Denver two.
 
The two teams continue the Battle for The Gold Pan on Saturday, Nov. 15, at Ed Robson Arena, beginning at 6 p.m.