Hockey Series of the Week: Devner vs. St. Cloud State

Story posted November 9, 2017 in CommRadio, Sports by Benjamin Ferree

No. 3 Denver will look to take back its No. 1 ranking when the Pioneers host No. 1 St. Cloud State in a top five matchup on Friday and Saturday night.

Denver relinquished its spot at the top of the rankings following a dreadful performance on the road against No. 18 Western Michigan.

The Pioneers were swept and allowed a total of 13 goals in their two games this past weekend.

These two losses were the first two of the season for Denver, giving them a 4-2-2 record on season. 

St. Cloud State took advantage of the stumble by the Pioneers by sweeping No. 12 Minnesota Duluth in dominate fashion.

The Huskies scored five goals in both games against Minnesota Duluth.

The sweep of Minnesota Duluth improved St. Cloud State to 7-0-0 on the season.

Minnesota Duluth was the second ranked team St. Cloud State has faced this season as the Huskies took down Minnesota State 4-0 earlier in the season.

Jimmy Schuldt and Jack Poehling lead the explosive Huskies offense that averages 4.7 goals per game.

Schuldt and Poehling lead the team in goals with five apiece. Schuldt also leads the team in points with 12.

St. Cloud State has been dangerous on the power play this season, going 11-34.

The Huskies are showing their dominance in the third period outscoring opponents 15-4 in the final period of the match.

David Hrenak and Jeff Smith play between the pipes for St. Cloud State.

Hrenak has started three games this season and has 87 saves.

Smith has started the other four games for the Huskies and has 107 saves on the season.

Both goalies have been solid, as St. Cloud State is only allowing 1.9 goals per game.

The power play defense has also been stout for the Huskies as they have only allowed three power play goals on the 25 attempts by opponents.

Denver will be looking for a bounce back weekend and a big part of that will be the Pioneers defense.
The biggest weakness for this Denver team is its defense, which is allowing 3.1 goals per game.

Seven of the 25 goals Denver has allowed have come on the power play for the opponent.

Tanner Jaillet and Dayton Rasmussen have both seen action in between the pipes this season for the Pioneers.

Jaillet has seen action in six games and has allowed an average of 2.76 goals per game. Jaillet has a 3-1-2 record in games the senior has started.

Rasmussen has played in two games this season for Denver and is allowing an average of 3.54 goals per game. The Pioneers are 1-1 when Rasmussen starts between the pipes.

The offense for Denver makes up for its lapses on defense, as the Pioneer offense averages 4.1 goals per game and 38.8 shots per game.

Denver has scored nine power play goals this season.

Henrik Borgstrom leads the Pioneers with nine goals in their eight games.

Four of his nine goals have come while Denver is on the power play.

Troy Terry leads Denver in points with 16 as the junior has racked up 11 assists on the season and is the second-leading goal scorer with five.

 

Ben Ferree is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him email ferreebenjaminc@gmail.com.