Down 3-1, 4-2, and 5-4 in the third period, the Denver Pioneers fought back to force overtime at Ball Arena against the Minnesota Gophers.

It still wasn’t enough.

Javon Moore scored with 35 seconds left in overtime for the Gophers to give Minnesota the 6-5 win over the Pioneers. The ice was lopsided, with Denver outshooting Minnesota 52-25 and controlling the majority of the play, but none of that mattered on the scoreboard. DU netminder Quentin Miller had his toughest night of the season, giving up six goals on 25 shots. It’s only the second time this season in 13 starts that he has given up more than three goals in a game.

“Our goaltender had a rare off night,” head coach David Carle said after the game. “We need to pick him up because he’s been there for us in a lot of games this year, and there’s been many players on our team that have had off nights and the rest of the team has rallied for them. Our goaltender had an uncharacteristic night in his young career, and that happens.”

And for the most part, the team in front of Miller did its best to pick him up.

By the end of the night, shot attempts were 98-47 in favor of the Pioneers. Through two periods, despite having over 60 shot attempts, Denver had only been able to sneak one past Minnesota goaltender Luca Di Pasquo. In the third period, they were able to bury their chances, which pleased the Pioneers coach.

“I’m proud and happy of the resiliency and the offensive development that we’re seeing,” Carle said. “The third, I thought we simplified…we weren’t doing that in the second. We were getting real attracted to the offensive possession and some of the movement that we were doing. We were turning pucks over going the other way, but we also weren’t getting pucks to the paint enough. I thought that changed in the third and again, I give the guys credit. They went out, they executed, and never really felt like we were out of the game.”

Boston Buckberger’s game-tying goal with 23 seconds left in regulation was evidence of DU’s ability to stick with the process, but also adjust on the fly. Minnesota was doing a great job all night long of getting bodies in lanes, but Buckberger faked a one-time shot, fooling all the defensemen and the goaltender, before delivering the tying goal to the back of the net.

“I just knew they had a lot of bodies in lanes,” Buckberger said after the game. “6-on-5, everyone collapses, and I think that I just wanted to get the puck to the net more than pick my spot. Our guys did a great job in the net front having a good screen, and ultimately went in.”

That’s now back-to-back losses for the Pioneers, and back-to-back losses where they’ve lost despite significantly outshooting the opposition. There’s still work to be done for Carle and the Pioneers.

One thing you can guarantee is that he’s going to give it to his players straight.

“Talk to them just like I do you, for the most part. I just try to tell the truth as to what I saw and what the reality is,” Carle said.

GAME RECAP

Minnesota Gophers 6, Denver Pioneers 5

What happened: The Denver Pioneers showed some resiliency coming back from multiple deficits but the Gophers took advantage of the few scoring chances they got, taking advantage of a tough night for DU goaltender Quentin Miller.

Stat of the night: DU had not one, not two, but three players on their team finish the game with over 10 shot attempts. Eric Pohlkamp led the way with 16 attempts, 10 of which were on net.

Quotable: “A lot of people put a lot time and effort to make this game happen,” Carle said of the game taking place at Ball Arena. “It’s an exempt game, so it’s a game that you have to bid on. That takes time and effort from administration, setting up the building like this, working with the Kroenke Sports Entertainment Group, getting the Avs on board. It’s a big lift to actually be able to secure an event and then not do it in your home building…so yeah, it’s a wonderful opportunity. All these guys, like Boston said, they aspire to play in the NHL.”

What’s next: Miami comes to town for two games on Dec. 5 and 6 at Magness Arena. They’re currently 10-4 on the season but have struggled in conference play, going just 2-4.