It’s a dynasty unrivaled, as DU wins 11th national championship

The D in DU stands for Denver. But in college hockey, it represents dominance. And a new era of their dynasty. The Denver Pioneers extended their NCAA record with the 11th national championship in program history, defeating Wisconsin 2-1 on Saturday in Las Vegas.

“Unbelievable game, certainly we bent but didn’t break,” said Head coach David Carle. “We found a way again and we saved our best period for last and found a way to make one more play.”

After surviving double overtime against Michigan in Thursday’s semifinal, DU looked like most people that have been in Vegas for five days — completely worn out. The Pioneers tied a title game record low with just 15 shots on goal in the win.

Despite only firing nine shots on net in the first 47 minutes, Denver found a new gear in the third period. Freshman goaltending sensation Johnny Hicks kept the Pioneers alive with a crucial save on a two-on-one breakaway four minutes into the third, then finally, at the 7:31 mark, Rieger Lorenz had three chances to put away a deflection before squeezing the putback by Wisconsin’s Daniel Hauser to tie it up at 1-1.

“We needed a big spark there. I’m glad I could give our guys that little bump,” said Lorenz.

Denver rode the momentum of the Lorenz equalizer and found some jump for the first time in the game. With 5:52 to play, Kyle Chyzowski deflected a blast from Boston Buckberger at the point to put Denver on top 2-1 and in control for the first time. Chyzowski’s second goal of the Frozen Four proved to be game winner as Hicks held strong in net with 29 saves.

The unlikely hero took over for an injured Quentin Miller in January, and Hicks proceeded to go an incredible 16-0-1 in net. Both Michigan and Wisconsin doubled up Denver in shots on goal, so Hicks was an easy choice as the Frozen Four’s Most Outstanding Player, stopping 78 of 82 shots.

Wisconsin didn’t make it easy for Hicks to keep his streak alive. The Badgers struck first as Vasily Zelenov ripped a wrister from the left wing beating Hicks high stick side for a 1-0 lead at 13:36 of the first period. Denver couldn’t get anything going early and was outshot 10-2 in the opening 20 minutes.

But Carle had seen this movie before in the title game against Badgers head coach Mike Hastings. In 2022, Hastings’ Minnesota State team had a 1-0 third period lead over Denver in title tilt before the Pioneers exploded late for a 5-1 win and Carle’s first national championship.

This time around, it was two freshmen from British Columbia leading the way in both of their championship comebacks. Chyzowski scored goals in both games of the Frozen Four, and was chosen to the All-Tournament Team with his fellow freshman Hicks,

“By the time you get to this stage, nobody (is a freshman),” said Carle of the performances of his two youngsters.

In a Frozen Four featuring the four programs with the most national titles in NCAA history, Denver proved once again that the rest of the sport’s blue bloods are playing for second place. Carle’s team is hoisting the trophy for the third time in five seasons – second only to the Pioneers first three titles won in the four year stretch between 1958 to 1961.

DENVER TAKES DOWN WISCONSIN TO WIN THE NATTY 🏆

This is the Denver Pioneers third NCAA title in five years 🙌 pic.twitter.com/s401BVxugq

— ESPN (@espn) April 12, 2026

***

All-Tournament Team
G Johnny Hicks, Denver
D Ben Dexheimer, Wisconsin
D Boston Buckberger, Denver
F Vasily Zelenov, Wisconsin
F Rieger Lorenz, Denver
F Kyle Chyzowski, Denver

Most Outstanding Player
G Johnny Hicks, Denver
78 saves, .950 SV%

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