Box Score Cory Couture scored seven goals and added five assists, tying the Denison single-game record for points scored as the 15th ranked Denison Big Red steamrolled Mount St. Joseph, 21-1 the 2012 season opener from Piper Stadium.
For February, the Big Red looked sharp on offensive, defense and at the face-off X where they dominated possession winning 21 of 26 draws. Denison attempted 15 shots in the opening quarter but managed just two goals. During that opening 15 minute period, the team's biggest enemy was the goal pipes which turned away six would-be DU scores in the first quarter.
In the second quarter the Big Red began to hit their stride as Couture scored three of his career-high seven goals during the period. His 12 points matched the single-game record set by Victor Maddux in 1997.
Leading 7-1 at halftime, Denison's offense exploded for eight goals in the third quarter alone. The real offensive fireworks went on display at the 9:25 mark in the third when Cory Couture scored in an extra-man situation. Chip Phillips would win the ensuing face-off, snag the ground ball and find Couture who hit Alex Hardt for his third goal of the afternoon with just six seconds elapsing off the clock. Seventeen seconds later, first-year Will Koontz scored his first career goal and now the Big Red held a commanding 12-1 lead.
In all, 11 different Denison players would score a goal against the Lions. Behind Couture's seven goals and Hardt's four tallies was first-year Teddy Powell who netted a hat-trick in his first collegiate game.
Denison outshot Mount St. Joseph 59-10 and totaled 50 ground balls to the Lions' 15. Phillips led all players with nine ground balls while sophomore Tommy Harrison added five ground balls and two caused turnovers. Phillips was 17-of-20 in face-off situations.
DU goalie Nick Petracca played 46 minutes in goal and posted two saves and two ground balls. MSJ starter Cody Nolan played 45 minutes and posted 11 saves while allowing 15 of the 21 goals.
No. 15 Denison will travel to Old Dominion Athletic Conference power Washington and Lee next Sunday (Feb. 26) for a 1 p.m. clash with the Generals in Lexington, Va.
