STORY DENVER The No. 4 University of Denver hockey team rallied with four third-period goals to force overtime, but lost 6-5 to the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the 2025 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame game Saturday night at Ball Arena.
"It was a really entertaining game, obviously for the fans," Denver Richard and Kitzia Goodman head coach David Carle said. "I thought the energy and the atmosphere in the building was great. I just want to thank them all for coming and supporting the event. It's a special opportunity to be able to play here at the Ball Arena. I appreciate our administration and the people at Kroenke. [Sports and Entertainment] for also making this game possible and giving our players this wonderful experience.
"We didn't get the result we wanted tonight, but we played well in a lot of ways. Obviously we had the puck a lot. Our resilience in the third period showed in a big way. We've done it a few times this year, and unfortunately, you know, they made one more play than us at the end. But I think we can go away with our heads held high, turn the page and get ready for the NCHC game next week."
Senior Samu Salminen scored twice while defensemen Boston Buckberger and Eric Pohlkamp also scored in the third period as DU attempted to come back from a 3-1 deficit after the first 40 minutes of play. The Gophers also scored twice in the third period.
Buckberger joined Salminen with a two-goal night, while sophomore forward James Reeder recorded three assists and freshman forward Clarke Caswell had two assists. Denver goalkeeper Quentin Miller made 19 saves.
Tied 1-1 after the first period after a Buckberger power play with 23 seconds left in the frame, Minesota scored twice in the second period thanks to Brody Lamb and Brodie Ziemer. Lamb finished with a three-point night while also recording two assists and Ziemer also recorded an assist in the contest.
Tate Pritchard opened the scoring for UM at 1:48 of the game and Jimmy Clarke and LJ Mooney scored in the third period. Javon Moore scored the game-winner with 35.6 seconds left in the 3-on-3 overtime period after scoring from the left side of the ice.
Gophers goalie Luca Di Pasquo finished with 47 saves, as Denver outscored Minnesota 52-25 overall and by a 25-5 margin in the first period.
UM scored on both of its power play opportunities, while DU went 1 for 2 thanks to its man advantage.
This year, the Pioneers hosted the US Hockey Hall of Fame game in front of a crowd of 12,228. DU was playing its second regular season game at Ball Arena after hosting Colorado College at the home of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche on January 27, 2023.
UP NEXT: Denver continues its three-game homestand series next weekend by hosting the Miami RedHawks at Magness Arena Friday and Saturday night. Both matches begin at 7 p.m. MT.
POST-GAME NOTES
- Denver's 25 shots on goal in the first half were the most in a single frame this season. The Pios had 22 shots in the third period Oct. 10 at Air Force.
- DU was hosting the USA Hockey Hall of Fame game for the third time in its history and is now 2-2-0 in four total games it has played.
- The Pioneers and Gophers were playing their second USHHOF game against each other in their history after the teams met on October 9, 2004 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
- Denver and Minnesota were playing for the first time since March 1-2, 2013 and the Gophers were visiting Mile High City for the first time since February 10-11, 2012.
- DU is now 73-94-12 all-time against UM and ended its five-game home winning streak against the Gophers.
- The teams were members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Conference.
- Samu Salminen scored his first multi-goal game of the season and third of his career. It was his third multi-point outing of the season and he is on a three-game point streak (3g/4a).
- Boston Buckberger recorded his first career multi-goal game and has scored in four of the last five contests, totaling five goals in that span.
- Eric Pohlkamp has scored seven goals in the last eight games.
- Sam Harris is now on a streak of six consecutive games with at least one point (3g/4a).
- Denver is now 1-3-1 in overtime this season.
GOAL SUMMARY
1st Period
- 1:48 UM (0-1) Tate Pritchard buried the puck in an open net after Javon Moore's initial shot bounced right at him.
- 19:37 (1-1) PPG, Boston Buckberger scored on a one-timer in the right circle on passes from Clarke Caswell and Kristian Eppeson.
2nd period
- 11:05 UM (1-2) Brody Lamb scored on a wrist shot from the slot.
- 6:52 p.m. UM (1-3) Brody Ziemer scored from the right side.
3rd period
- 4:11 DU (2-3) Samu Salminen hit his rebound at the right post during a scrum in the crease.
- 5:49 UM (2-4) Jimmy Clark scored into an open net after the puck slipped into the low slot.
- 6:46 DU (3-4) Samu Salminen redirected James Reeder's shot from five holes while parked at the top of the crease.
- 11:48 DU (4-4) Eric Pohlkamp collected a loose puck and scored on a wrist shot from the left circle.
- 16:38 UM (4-5) PPG, LJ Mooney scored from the left side after the puck took a lucky bounce off his skate in the slot.
- 19:37 DU (5-5) Boston Buckberger's shot went high, far from the right circle after receiving a pass from Clarke Caswell.
Overtime
- 4:25 UM (5-6) Javon Moore scored with a wrist shot from the left circle on a rush up the ice.
QUOTES
Richard and Kitzia Goodman head hockey coach David Carle on the difficulty of preaching the process after a loss: "Is it a challenge? No, I don't think so. entertaining game in the last 30 minutes: 3-1 goes to 3-2. They score a minute and thirty seconds later. We score to make it 4-2. We score another goal to make it 4-3 and ultimately tie it. They scored; we go 6-on-5. Pucks were going in tonight. There were times where we gave them some of their stuff a little bit too easy that hasn't been us for most of the year. I'm proud. I'm happy about the resilience and offensive development we've seen and I think most nights have been pretty healthy and solid defensively and in the blue paint."
On our participation in Ball Arena: "You guys are grateful. We talked about it before the game. A lot of people put in a lot of time and effort to make this happen. It's an exempt game, so it's a game you have to bid for. It takes time and effort on administration's part. To put a building like this in place, to work with Kroenke Sports and Entertainment group, to get Avs involved. It's a big boost to actually be able to secure an event and not to do it at home. It's often a wonderful opportunity to be able to have all these guys like Boston (Buckberger) say that they aspire to play in NHL; that they had opportunity to do it tonight and get little taste of it. And obviously our fans were treated to wonderful game and unfortunately they go home a little disappointed as we will. [a] really good team."
Senior defender Kent Anderson We didn't score early despite high number of shots: "I'm just proud of our group for holding on for full 60 minutes. You know, we obviously didn't get end result that we wanted. But, you know, we're getting lot looks, and we were able to come back out there at end."
On attempting a comeback: "It's all about sticking to our process. You know, from one period to next, we want to continue to build and stick to our game plan. Obviously pucks don't go in all time, even if you want them to, but that's hockey."
Junior defenseman Boston Buckberger On his second goal that tied the game: "I knew they would have a lot of bodies in the lanes, 6-on-5, everyone collapsed. I think I just wanted to get the puck to the net more than that, I mean, pick my spot and our guys did a great job on that front with a good screen, and ultimately it went in. So it was good."
On playing at Ball Arena: "I mean, it's amazing. You look around, you look up and (it's) an 18,000 to 19,000 seat arena. You don't get to do this every day. And obviously, it's all of our dreams to play in the NHL. the result, but it's obviously a great experience for all of us, and we can continue to build on this basis for our next matches here."