The Denver Pioneers men’s ice hockey continued their dominance on college hockey’s biggest stage, capturing their third national championship in the last five years with a gritty 2–1 comeback victory over Wisconsin. In a game where they were outplayed for long stretches, Denver leaned on resilience, defensive commitment, and the remarkable performance of freshman goaltender Johnny Hicks.
Hicks was the driving force behind Denver’s success, continuing a remarkable run with 29 saves in the championship game. Just days earlier, he stopped a career-high 49 shots against Michigan in the semifinals. Entering the title game, Hicks led the nation with a 1.20 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage, and he extended his undefeated streak in regulation to 16-0-1. His composure under relentless pressure allowed Denver to stay within striking distance despite being heavily outshot. For his efforts throughout the tournament, Hicks was named Most Outstanding Player, cementing his status as the backbone of the Pioneers’ championship run.
Wisconsin opened the scoring via a Vasily Zelenov tally midway through the opening period to give the Badgers a 1–0 lead. For much of the game, Wisconsin controlled play, outshooting Denver 21–5 through the first two periods and consistently applying pressure with an aggressive forecheck. However, they were unable to capitalize further, due in large part to Hicks’ brilliance and Denver’s willingness to sacrifice defensively, blocking 31 shots.
The tide turned in the third period. Rieger Lorenz tied the game after capitalizing on a rebound opportunity created by a point shot from Garrett Brown. The equalizer shifted momentum in Denver’s favor, setting the stage for the game-winning goal. With under six minutes remaining, Kyle Chyzowski tipped in a shot from the point—originally fired by Boston Buckberger—to give the Pioneers a 2–1 lead they would not relinquish.
Despite their limited offensive output early—recording just two shots in the first period and three in the second—Denver demonstrated patience and belief, hallmarks of their championship identity. Their ability to withstand pressure and capitalize on key moments was eerily reminiscent of their semifinal victory over Michigan, where they were also outshot but still found a way to win.
The victory marked Denver’s 11th national title, further solidifying its place as one of college hockey’s premier programs. Competing in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, which has now produced eight of the last ten champions, Denver has shown no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
For Wisconsin, the loss was a missed opportunity to secure their first championship since 2006. Though they controlled the flow for much of the game and limited Denver’s scoring chances, their inability to extend the lead proved costly. As the final horn sounded, the Badgers were left stunned, while Denver celebrated another improbable and hard-earned title.
36 year old head coach David Carle has seen his name linked to several NHL positions over the last few weeks as a result of the immediate success his teams have had. Last offseason he was rumoured to be in consideration for positions with the Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks, but ultimately opted to stay in Denver.
Whether he receives an offer attractive enough to pry him away from the dynasty he’s built at the collegiate level this summer remain to be seen.
Photo: Minda Haas Kuhlmann. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.