The No. 6-ranked University of Denver hockey team began the closing stretch of the regular season with a 3-1 home win over St. Cloud State.

With just three games left, the Pioneers are in a battle with Omaha and North Dakota to remain in the top four of the NCHC standings and have home-ice in the first round of the playoffs.

On Friday night, the Pioneers (24-8-1, 13-7-1 NCHC) got two goals from Carter King including a power-play goal about five minutes into the game. Jack Devine, who had an assist on King’s first goal, scored the third and final goal for the Pioneers in the second period.

Nick Portiz had St. Cloud State’s only goal in the first period which tied the game.

Goalie Matt Davis was once again stellar in net for the Pioneers. He had 20 saves in the win. Denver outshot St. Cloud State 41-21.

Aidan Thompson and Boston Buckberger each had two assists and defenseman Zeev Buium had one.

The Pioneers hold a one-point lead over Omaha for the No. 3 seed in the standings after Omaha lost to Arizona State 4-1 on Friday. Denver is up two points over North Dakota after the Fighting Hawks fell to Western Michigan.

Denver will be back at Magness Arena on Saturday for the second game against St. Cloud State with puck drop set for 6 p.m.