Denver coach George Gwozdecky said University of Maine hockey fans shouldn’t be pushing the panic button just because his Pioneers dealt the Black Bears their first two-game losing streak to open a season since the 1985-86 season.

Denver swept the Black Bears 2-0 and 3-1 in Denver.

“I think they’re going to be fine when they gain their offensive confidence. I really do,” said Gwozdecky. “Right now, because of their [personnel] losses, they’re searching for one or two go-to guys from the offensive standpoint.”

Maine lost players who produced 67.7 percent of their goals last season.

Denver outshot Maine 48-25 in Friday night’s 2-0 victory but Gwozdecky said that could be attributed to Maine’s late arrival early Friday morning due to a plane delay.

“Saturday’s game was probably more indicative of the kind of game both of us would play against each other,” said Gwozdecky.

“We had really good jump on Friday night and were a little quicker to pucks than they were. Saturday was a very competitive game. If you take away that first goal [by Brock Trotter] that we scored six seconds into the game, it was a very, very good game.” said Gwozdecky. “They’ve got a big, strong team.”

Each team had 30 shots on goal Saturday.

Gwozdecky said senior goalie Peter Mannino played a vital role in the sweep and Maine received a stellar weekend from junior goalie Ben Bishop.

“Peter made two unbelievable saves on Friday and one incredible save on Saturday to keep the lead for us. Maine created a number of good scoring chances,” said Gwozdecky. “And Bishop played very well for them. He gives them an added ingredient with how good he is outside of his net [playing the puck]. Both teams are going to have to rely on the big guys in goal to be successful this year.”

He said because both teams will be searching for their offensive identities, it will be up the goalies to keep their teams “within striking distance” in games. He anticipates both teams being involved in a lot of low-scoring games.

Both teams had a number of freshmen in their lineups. Maine played seven freshmen Friday night and eight Saturday.

Denver’s speed advantage was evident, especially Friday, but Gwozdecky said Maine’s quickness will come along “once they gain their confidence with the puck and move the puck [quicker]. That will enhance their speed.”

He also said Maine’s coaching staff and players made good adjustments between Friday night and Saturday night’s games, particularly on the penalty kill. Denver went 2-for-8 and had 21 shots on goal on the power play Friday night but managed just seven shots during an 0-for-5 night on the power play Saturday.

Maine is looking for a 10th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance this season and Gwozdecky said don’t bet against them.

“They’ll be right there [fighting for an NCAA tourney berth] in March. It’ll be a matter of who steps up and delivers on a night-to-night basis,” said Gwozdecky.

Maine hosts Mercyhurst (Pa.) Friday and Saturday nights. It will mark the return of former Bears goalie Matt Lundin, who transferred to Mercyhurst after the 2005-2006 season.