Pioneers Rally for Brown in Emotional Weekend Sweep of Tigers
The No. 4 Denver Pioneers completed a dramatic weekend sweep over arch-rival No. 17 Colorado College, clinching a 3-2 victory on Saturday night at Ed Robson Arena. This hard-fought win followed a scary first-period injury to junior defenseman Garrett Brown. His teammates rallied, turning the scare into an inspiring victory, and were later thrilled to welcome Brown back to celebrate.
A Scare, Then a Resilient Rally
The atmosphere at Ed Robson Arena grew tense in the final minute of the first period when junior defenseman Garrett Brown suffered a head-first collision with the boards. He was stretchered off the ice, casting a pall over the game. In the locker room between periods, the unifying message was clear: “Let’s win it for Garrett.”
DU coach David Carle confirmed the initial news that Brown was taken to a local hospital for precautionary reasons, a reassuring update he quickly shared with his team. Post-game, the relief was palpable as Brown, discharged from the hospital, returned to the rink with his parents to celebrate the victory. Junior defenseman Boston Buckberger echoed the team’s sentiment, stating, “It was just great to see him after the game and for us to win it for him was amazing.”
Pioneers’ Offensive Spark Against a Tough Rival
Despite the emotional start, Denver quickly found its rhythm. Less than three minutes into the game, Avalanche draft pick Jake Fisher showcased incredible individual skill, weaving through Colorado College defenders to beat goaltender Kaidan Mbereko and put the Pioneers on the board. The Pios extended their lead in the second period with freshman Eric Jamieson netting his fifth goal of the season.
Jamieson, a Calgary Flames draft pick, has seamlessly stepped into the defensive corps, earning high praise from Coach Carle. “He’s a real student of the game… Very inquisitive, the tools are there with the size, the shot, everything,” Carle noted, highlighting Jamieson’s crucial role in replacing last year’s star, Zeev Buium.
The game-winning goal, for the second consecutive night, came off the stick of junior defenseman Boston Buckberger. His power-play goal with under five minutes remaining sealed the deal for the Pioneers, underscoring their ability to capitalize on crucial opportunities in a fiercely contested rivalry series.
Miller Stands Tall in Goal
While the offense found its moments, the real rock for the Pioneers was freshman goaltender Quentin Miller. The Montreal Canadiens draft pick continued his stellar performance, stopping 38 of 40 shots to secure his seventh win of the season (7-2-1 across 10 starts). His impressive statistics now boast a 1.58 goals against average and a .942 save percentage.
Teammate Boston Buckberger lauded Miller’s consistent excellence: “He’s been unreal. Just a rock back there and the foundation of our team. Just knowing we have the guy back there that can bail us out when we need… he just does such a great job being the rock for our team and we know we can build momentum out from him.” Miller’s reliability was key to weathering the Tigers’ late attempts to tie the game.
Gold Pan Trophy Nears for DU
With this sweep, the Pioneers have significantly advanced their claim on the coveted Gold Pan trophy. Although Friday’s overtime game earned Colorado College a point, meaning the trophy isn’t officially clinched yet, the Pioneers now need just one more point from their final two regular-season games against Colorado College in early February to secure their seventh straight Gold Pan.
This weekend’s “greasy goals” and “back-and-forth hockey,” as described by Buckberger, are characteristic of the intense NCHC rivalry between these two Colorado hockey powerhouses. The Pioneers showed their grit, confirming their No. 4 national ranking and undefeated NCHC record (4-0-0).
Game Overview
| Team | Overall Record | NCHC Record | Next Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 4 Denver Pioneers | 8-3-1 | 4-0-0 | Arizona State (Away) |
| No. 17 Colorado College Tigers | 6-5-1 | 1-4-1 | No. 3 Minnesota Duluth (Home) |
What’s Next for Denver Hockey
The No. 4 Denver Pioneers will embark on a road trip next weekend, heading to Tempe for a challenging series against Arizona State. Meanwhile, the No. 17 Colorado College Tigers will remain at home to host a two-game set against No. 3 Minnesota Duluth.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened to Garrett Brown during the game?
Junior defenseman Garrett Brown suffered a head-first collision with the boards in the first period and was stretchered off. He was later discharged from a local hospital for precautionary reasons and returned to celebrate with his team post-game. - Who were the key scorers for the Denver Pioneers?
Jake Fisher opened the scoring, Eric Jamieson added a second goal, and Boston Buckberger netted the game-winner, his second crucial goal of the weekend series. - How did DU’s freshman goaltender Quentin Miller perform?
Miller was outstanding, stopping 38 of 40 shots against Colorado College. He now holds a 7-2-1 record, a 1.58 goals against average, and a .942 save percentage. - What does this win mean for the Gold Pan Trophy?
The Pioneers now need just one point from their two remaining games against Colorado College in February to officially clinch their seventh consecutive Gold Pan trophy. - When is the Pioneers’ next game?
The Denver Pioneers will hit the road for a weekend series against Arizona State in Tempe, beginning next weekend.
This emotional victory underscores the resilience and camaraderie within the DU Pioneers, proving that even in the face of adversity, a united team can achieve great things on the ice and make Denver proud.
Pioneers rally for Brown in sweep of Tigers
