DENVER -- Freshman Danton Heinen scored a goal in the second period and another with 54.5 seconds left in overtime to lead No. 11 Denver to a 2-1 victory against No. 5 Boston College on Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd of 6,032 at Magness Arena. Heinen scored the second and third goals of his career to give Denver the split.
"Tonight speaks volumes to the character in our locker room," Denver coach Jim Montgomery said. "It was a great effort, and a great weekend of college hockey."
For the second night in a row, the teams went into the first intermission scoreless, with Denver (4-2-0) outshooting the Eagles 12-9 in the opening 20 minutes, including four shots on the Pioneers' two power-play chances. Boston College (4-2-0) had three shots on three chances.
An evening after the Pioneers scored the opener 28 seconds into the period, Denver struck early again in the second period, this time 21 seconds in. Heinen's goal came off assists from sophomore Trevor Moore and senior center Daniel Doremus. On his way out of the corner, Doremus slid a backhand behind him to Moore, who skated around the circle and right through the slot before finding Heinen just outside the crease for the finish.
Boston College leveled the score at 1-1 at the 12:56 mark of the second period on a tip in front by Destry Straight. Quinn Smith started the opportunity from the corner, finding Travis Jeke just inside the blue line. Jeke threw a shot towards the goal that was redirected into the opposite corner of the net by Straight.
Although Denver gave up the even-strength goal in the period, Denver killed off four consecutive power plays in the period (five consecutive including the end of the first period), before getting its first power play opportunity of the period at the 18:35 mark. The two teams went into the second intermission tied at one for the second consecutive evening.
Denver avoided its first shootout of the season with Heinen's winner with 54.5 seconds on the clock in OT from just below the circle. Doremus got his second assist of the game, and senior defender Josiah Didier recorded his first assist of the season on the winner.
Sophomore Evan Cowley made 27 saves, while BC's Thatcher Demko made 33 saves in the game.
