That prosperity set the stage for Curtis Leinweber's game-winning strike with just 18 seconds left in overtime, which allowed the Seawolves to roar back from a two-goal deficit and shock No. 7-ranked Denver 3-2 at Magness Arena in the Mile High City.
Saturday marked the first time in its 20 Western Collegiate Hockey Association games this season that the Seawolves did not surrender a power-play goal. They killed all nine Denver power plays, including an extended one bridging the late second period and early third period after junior winger Kevin Clark was issued a major penalty and game disqualification for boarding.
The Seawolves (9-11-4, 6-10-4 WCHA) also got a sharp, 30-save performance from sophomore goaltender Bryce Christiansen to snap their four-game winless streak (0-2-2).
Not only did UAA shore up shortcomings by its short-handed crew, but it actually used special teams to rebound from league-leading Denver's 2-0 lead less than 10 minutes into the first period.
On a night when UAA coach Dave Shyiak scratched three of his best players -- the team's top two goals scorers, Tommy Grant and Josh Lunden, were in civilian threads, as was defenseman Nils Backstrom -- defenseman Trevor Hunt initiated the comeback with a second-period, power-play goal.
Hunt's goal was his second power-play strike in two nights -- he also scored in UAA's 6-2 loss Friday -- and his fourth goal of the season, tops among Seawolves blueliners.
The Seawolves forged a 2-2 with less than three minutes left in regulation when captain Mat Robinson, another defenseman, scored a short-handed goal. Robinson also assisted on Hunt's goal.
Leinweber, a defenseman, skated at wing Saturday. He bagged the game winner off a helper from center Craig Parkinson.
The win pulled ninth-place UAA within three points of eight-place St. Cloud State in the 10-team league. The Seawolves entertain the Huskies in a series that opens Friday at Sullivan Arena.
Clark will have to sit out the series opener because a game disqualification penalty carries an automatic one-game suspension.
Find Doyle Woody's blog online at adn.com/hockeyblog or call him at 257-4335.
UAA 0 1 1 1 -- 3
DU 2 0 0 0 -- 2
First Period -- 1, DU, Gifford 2, 2:09; 2, DU, J.P. Testwuide 3 (Nutini, Ostrow), 8:49. Penalties -- Nutini, DU (hooking), 2:09; Selby, UAA (interference), 2:09; Hunt, UAA (tripping), 11:49; Jackson, DU (holding), 13:30; Clark, UAA (cross-checking), 14:16; Wiercioch, DU (tripping), 18:44.
Second Period -- 3, UAA, Hunt 4 (Robinson), 10:43 (pp). Penalties -- UAA bench minor, served by Bales (too many men), 4:56; Gifford, DU (hooking), 8:53; Vidmar, UAA (high-sticking), 11:12; Hunt, UAA (slashing), 13:20; Wiercioch, DU (holding), 13:36; Clark, UAA, major-game disqualification (boarding), 17:53; Ruegsegger, DU (interference), 18:19.
Third Period -- 4, UAA, Robinson 2 (Crowder, Haddad), 17:33 (sh). Penalties - Testwuide, DU (hooking), 8:09; Crowder, UAA (hooking), 12:45; Bales, UAA (tripping), 17:13; Crowder, UAA (cross-checking), 19:22.
Overtime -- 5, UAA, Leinweber 2 (Parkinson), 4:42. Penalties -- None.
Shots on goal -- UAA 3-8-4-4--19. DU 14-7-10-1--32.
Power-play Opportunities -- UAA 1 of 5; DU 0 of 9.
Goalies -- Aces, Christianson 4-4-3 (32 shots-30 saves). DU, Cheverie 16-8-2 (19-16).
A -- 5,424 (6,026). T -- 2:30.
Referees -- Brett Klosowski, Brian Thul. Assistant referees -- Butch Mousseaux, Bob Keltie.
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