Oct. 1, 2011 - 9:00 PM

Redmen Hockey at University of Denver (NCAA; Away)

Tied 2-2 (OT) at Denver (EXHIBITION)

(Jason Zucker perched in front of McGill netminder Hubert Morin. Photo by Rich Clarkson and Associates, courtesy University of Denver Athletics Dept.)

DENVER, Col. - Jason Zucker, a second-round draft pick of the NHL's Minnesota Wild, scored twice including the tying marker with 2:51 remaining in the third period as the University of Denver Pioneers salvaged a 2-2 overtime tie with the visiting McGill Redmen in men's exhibition hockey at Magness Arena, Saturday.

Zucker, a sophomore from Las Vegas, had given Denver a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal at 10:17 of the opening period.

Francis Verreault-Paul, a fourth-year centre from Mashteuiatsh, Que., who has led the CIS in goals for the past two seasons, tied the score on a buzzer-beater with 0.3 seconds remaining in the middle stanza. The play was set up by Alex Picard-Hooper of Boucherville, Que., and Maxime Langelier-Parent of Lery, Que.

The Redmen took a 2-1 lead at 11:42 of the third period when sophomore forward Benoit Levesque of Vaudreuil, Que.,  connected on a breakaway, putting the puck between the legs of netminder Juho Olkinuora. The native of Finland had replaced starter Adam Murray after the second period. Nicolas Biniek of Montreal and Vincent Bourgeois of Rosemere, Que., drew assists on the goal.

Murray stopped 17 shots over his two periods of action, while Olkinuora added 10 saves in the third period and overtime session.

"We knew (McGill was) going to be tough," Denver head coach George Gwozdecky told the media about his team's first opponent of the preseason. "They played in their (CIS) national title game last year and have only lost about three players, so they are expected to contend again this year. It was a real good test for us out of the gate."

Denver had a 35-29 advantage in shots as McGill goalie Hubert Morin, a civil engineering senior from St. Georges de Beauce, Que., registered 33 saves.

"Hubert played well and so did the rest of the guys," said McGill head coach Kelly Nobes, who was pleased with the team's performance. "We had a number of good scoring chances, including several in overtime. It was a bit of an adjustment to playing at altitude against a very good team that has great speed and was dangerous around the net. One of our goals was to focus on short shifts so that we wouldn't get caught winded. It seemed to work for the most part but I heard mixed reviews from our players. Some seemed to have little trouble adapting to the thinner air but several players found it somewhat challenging."

The Pioneers went 1-for-6 on the power play and 5-for-5 on the penalty kill.

Denver, the seven-time NCAA champions, are entering their 62nd season of varsity hockey, while McGill is in their 136th season. The Pioneers have advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four tournament in each of the last four seasons, while McGill has qualified for the CIS tourney five times in the past six years.

McGill, which is now 0-2-1 in their tough preseason schedule, will play at Colorado College on Sunday at 8 p.m. Eastern. A video webcast of the game is available online for a $7 fee at: www.b2livetv.com/upcoming_events.asp. The Redmen won their only previous meeting against Colorado College, 5-3, in 1990-91.

McGill, which is 113-113-8 in 234 lifetime meetings against NCAA opponents, will conclude their trip with a game against the U.S. Air Force Academy on Monday evening before returning to Montreal on Tuesday.

REDMEN RAP: The Redmen are staying in a scenic Colorado Springs location, at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains...Among the team bonding events planned over the five-day trip was a visit to the USA Hockey training facilities and a tour of U.S. Air Force Academy base.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHT PACKAGE OF DENVER-Mcgill game avaiLABLE AT:

http://www.denverpioneers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18600&ATCLID=205307529

SOURCE:

Earl Zukerman

McGill Athletics & Recreation

514-398-7012

McGill University vs Denver Pioneers (Oct 01, 2011)

Hockey Game Box Score (Final)
2011-12 Denver Pioneers
McGill University vs Denver Pioneers (Oct 01, 2011 at Denver, Colo.)