Denver wins its 11th national championship

Denver trailed entering the third period but came back to win the title

The Denver Pioneers have done it again.

For the third time in the last five seasons, and a record 11th time overall, the Pioneers defeated Wisconsin 2-1 on Saturday night to claim the national title in Las Vegas.

Denver won the game despite getting outshot 31-15. Through two games at the Frozen Four, Denver was outshot 83-41, but still managed to find a way to win both games.

The opening 20 minutes were played almost entirely on Wisconsin’s terms. The Badgers dictated possession, outshooting the Pioneers 10–2, and were rewarded at 13:36 when Vasily Zelenov broke through for the game’s first goal.

Zelenov gained the zone with speed, selling a move toward the middle before pulling the puck back to his forehand. With a subtle change of angle, he found daylight past Johnny Hicks, giving Wisconsin a 1–0 lead. The tally came moments after a Badgers power play had expired.

Special teams factored into the period, though neither side converted. Cale Ashcroft was assessed a boarding penalty prior to the opening goal, while Oliver Tulk went off just 1:49 into the game, handing Denver an early opportunity. The Pioneers, however, were unable to generate much from the man advantage.

Wisconsin continued to press after taking the lead. In the closing seconds, Aiden Dubinsky came close to doubling the margin, but Hicks held firm to keep it a one-goal game.

Chances were scarce for Denver, which managed just a single quality look in the period — turned aside calmly by Daniel Hauser.

Wisconsin’s relentless forecheck carried over seamlessly into the second period, as the Badgers continued to tilt the ice in their favor.

Early on, Montgomery flashed his release but sent a shot just over the crossbar, while Aiden Dubinsky generated another quality look moments later. That opportunity was snuffed out on the rush by a strong defensive play from Ashcroft.

Offense remained difficult to come by for the Pioneers. Denver went more than 13 minutes without recording a shot on goal, a drought that spanned periods. Sam Harris registered the team’s last shot of the first period at the 7:07 mark, and it wasn’t until 6:03 of the second that Samu Salminen finally tested Wisconsin netminder Daniel Hauser again.

In contrast, Wisconsin continued to probe and pressure, consistently challenging Johnny Hicks—particularly up high. Tassy found space in the high slot and fired through traffic, only to be denied by Hicks, who turned the chance aside with his shoulder.

The Badgers closed the period the same way they began it — on the attack. A late flurry included a final push from Jack Phelan at the buzzer, capping another dominant stretch.

Through 40 minutes, Wisconsin held a commanding 21–5 edge in shots, and still held a 1-0 lead.

Wisconsin came out for the third period intent on extending its lead, picking up right where it left off through 40 minutes.

Less than five minutes in, senior Jack Horbach capitalized on a Denver turnover and looked to beat Johnny Hicks high on the glove side. Hicks tracked it cleanly, making the stop and freezing play to steady his group.

But Denver found life on just its seventh shot of the game — and it was a turning point.

With 12:29 remaining, Kristian Epperson slid a feed to Garrett Brown at the top of the left circle for a one-timer. Rieger Lorenz, who had initiated the sequence with a tenacious forecheck to force the turnover, drove the net and buried the rebound to tie the game, 1–1.

The equalizer injected energy into the Pioneers, who began to push. A point shot moments later whistled just wide of Daniel Hauser’s net.

At the other end, Hicks delivered one of his best stops of the night. Gavin Morrissey charged in on a loose puck that ricocheted off the end boards and into the slot, but Hicks sprawled across, making the save with his left skate. The rebound rode up his chest and neck before he smothered it for a whistle.

Denver wasn’t done.

On a subsequent shift, Hauser lost his stick while sliding to his right, leaving him vulnerable as the puck worked back to the point. Boston Buckberger fired a one-timer, and freshman Kyle Chyzowski got his stick on it atop the crease, deflecting it past Hauser to give Denver a 2–1 lead.

From there, the game opened up.

Morrissey generated another chance that sailed wide, and moments later Ben Dexheimer rang a shot off the underside of the crossbar. Denver countered quickly, and Eric Jamieson drew a holding penalty on Montgomery, sending the Pioneers to the power play with 4:14 remaining.

Wisconsin’s penalty kill held firm, keeping the deficit at one. After gaining possession off a faceoff in the offensive zone, the Badgers pulled Hauser for the extra attacker.

With the net empty, Wisconsin applied sustained pressure. Dexheimer found space for a late look, but his shot drifted wide, as the Badgers searched for a final equalizer. After a series of icings, including the Badgers icing the puck with 27.8 seconds left, Denver was able to close out its 11th national championship.