Merrimack stuns DU in 1st game back

The University of Denver lost Friday night to Merrimack College 3-2 at Magness Arena in a game in which it never led.

The Warriors (5-9-4) pulled the upset thanks to two goals in the third period by Brett Seney.

“I liked the way we played. I thought we battled hard,” Denver coach Jim Montgomery said in a release. “Obviously, our execution and our skill with the puck and our passing was not very good, but you expect that after a 10-day break. I thought we got better throughout the game and started playing with more pace and determination as the game went on.”

Merrimack took the early lead at 2:38 on Cole McBride’s goal.

The Pioneers (10-5-4) tied it 1-1 late in the first period on Kohen Olischefski’s goal. His shot caromed off the skake of Merrimack goalie Craig Pantano. Henrik Borgström and Colin Staub each got an assist.

The Warriors took a 2-1 lead at 8:14 of the third period when Seney scored on an oddman rush.

He made it 3-1 just 44 seconds later on the power play when he moved out of the corner and rifled a puck over the shoulder of Jaillet.

Denver cut the lead to 3-2 on Ian Mitchell’s power-play goal with 1:33 remaining in regulation.

But DU could not get the tying goal. DU goalie Tanner Jaillet finished with 23 saves.

On Saturday night, the Pioneers host Air Force, which defeated Colorado College 6-3 on Friday night.