Denver goaltender Juho Olkinoura made one of the best saves of the 2012-2013 college hockey season Friday night against North Dakota forward Corban Knight. Even better was the fact he did so on national television.
With the Pioneers up 5-4 in the third period, Olkinoura found himself out of position. Throwing his body and stick towards the open net, the sophomore goalie blocked Knight's shot out of mid-air with the stick to deny what appeared to a certain goal by the North Dakota senior.
Knight had previously scored in the second period for his 14th goal of the season. He is second in the WCHA behind UNO forward Ryan Walters with 42 points (14G-28A).
As remarkable as the stick save on the Florida Panthers draft pick was, it was just one of 35 Olkinoura made - including 16 saves in the third period - during Friday's 5-4 victory at Magness Arena. The win, which was broadcast on NBC Sports Net, moves Denver into a tie for sixth place in the WCHA with Wisconsin and the last home-ice spot.
Denver and North Dakota play again Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. MT.
(s/t C.J. Fogler - @cjzero)
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