Denver Pioneers on Their Way to the Frozen Four!
The University of Denver hockey team is making waves, securing their spot in the prestigious Frozen Four for the third consecutive year! The Pioneers dominated the defending national champions, Western Michigan University, with a decisive 6-2 victory in the NCAA West Regional Final held at Blue Arena in Loveland. This marks Denver’s impressive 21st Frozen Four appearance and their fourth in the last five seasons.
A Dominant Performance
Denver started strong, netting four goals in the first period to overwhelm the top-seeded Broncos. This victory sets the stage for a thrilling semifinal matchup against the #1 overall seed, Michigan, on Thursday, April 9th, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The winner will advance to the national championship game on Saturday, April 11th.
The Road to the Frozen Four
The NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament, a single-elimination bracket featuring 16 teams from six Division I conferences, has been a tradition since 1948. The Pioneers are no strangers to success, boasting a remarkable 10 national championships – the most in the tournament’s history. Their first title came in 1958, and they recently added another to their legacy in 2024, defeating Boston College 2-0.
Key Matchups & Broadcast Information
Here’s the schedule for the Frozen Four semifinals:
- Thursday, April 9th:
- Wisconsin vs. #2 North Dakota — 3:00 p.m. MT
- Denver vs. #1 Michigan — 6:30 p.m. MT
The National Championship game will be held on Saturday, April 11th at 3:30 p.m. MT. Catch all the action live on ESPN2 (semifinals) and ESPN (final). Streaming options are also available via ESPN Unlimited for subscribers. You can also tune in to 104.3 The Fan for radio broadcasts.
Freshman Power & Team Effort
The win against Western Michigan showcased the incredible talent within the Pioneers’ roster. Freshman forward Kyle Chyzowski led the scoring with a career-high three points (two goals and one assist). Brendan McMorrow, Kieran Cebrian, Eric Pohlkamp, Samu Salminen, and Sam Harris also contributed with goals, demonstrating the team’s depth.
Freshman goalie Johnny Hicks was outstanding, stopping 26 of 28 shots and extending his unbeaten streak to 15 games (14-0-1). He was rightfully named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA West Regional.
Coach Carle’s Vision
“You come to Denver with the expectation to win,” said Coach David Carle. “We recruit players who want to win, who want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. And, this group is no different.”
Looking Ahead
The Pioneers outshot the Broncos 32-28 and capitalized on one of three power plays. Hicks, Cebrian, Harris, Clarke Caswell, and Cale Ashcroft were all recognized for their exceptional performance, earning spots on the All-Tournament Team. Denver avenged last season’s double-overtime loss to Western Michigan, further solidifying their position as a top contender. They’ve proven their dominance, finishing 4-2-0 against the Broncos this year and 2-0 in the postseason, including a double-overtime victory in the NCHC’s Frozen Faceoff Championship.
As Sam Harris put it, “We’re a lineup full with a bunch of skill and grit. So, it’s incredible that we’re able to score all the way up and down the lineup.”
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