No. 1 Denver opens its title defense at Alaska Anchorage on Saturday, Oct. 3, with puck drop at 9 p.m. ET at Seawolf Sports Complex. The Pioneers won five straight to close last season and enter as the nation’s top-ranked team. Alaska Anchorage lost its final five games and faces a steep test against a program defending its national championship.
Denver vs Alaska Anchorage game information
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Venue: Seawolf Sports Complex, Anchorage, Alaska
- Series: Two-game set; Game 2 to follow
How does Denver’s current form compare to Alaska Anchorage’s?
Denver closed last season on a tear, winning its last five games, including a 4-3 overtime victory over Minnesota Duluth, a 5-0 shutout of Cornell and a 2OT thriller over Michigan that finished 4-3. The Pioneers also beat Western Michigan 6-2 and Wisconsin 2-1 during that stretch, a run that shows both scoring punch and the ability to grind out tight games against ranked competition.
Alaska Anchorage, by contrast, dropped each of its final five games a season ago. The Seawolves lost twice to Alaska by a combined 11-3 margin, fell 3-0 to Stonehill and dropped a 4-3 overtime decision to Long Island University. That late-season skid leaves plenty of questions about how Alaska Anchorage will respond against a Denver team that enters with far more momentum.
What is the key matchup to watch?
The clearest storyline is Denver’s offensive punch against Alaska Anchorage’s defense. The Pioneers scored in bunches during their closing stretch, six goals against Western Michigan and five against Cornell, showing an ability to pull away once they find space. If Alaska Anchorage’s back end can tighten up from a season ago, it keeps the game competitive. If not, Denver’s firepower could turn the opener into a lopsided affair early.
What to watch
Denver opens its title defense on the road, a test that comes immediately after a five-game winning streak to close last season. Alaska Anchorage looks to shake off a five-game skid and compete with the nation’s top-ranked team. A win would signal real progress for the Seawolves; a loss would extend the slump from last season.
Official statistics: ESPN (official league data).
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