Denver Edges Wisconsin In Overtime Thriller For NCAA Hockey Title
Denver Edges Wisconsin In Overtime Thriller For NCAA Hockey Title...
Denver claimed its 10th NCAA men's hockey championship with a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory over Wisconsin on Saturday night at the Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minnesota. Jared Wright scored the golden goal 12:01 into the extra period, sending Pioneers fans into a frenzy and capping a tense battle between two historic college hockey programs.
The matchup between the No. 1-ranked Badgers and No. 2 Pioneers lived up to its billing as the most anticipated championship game in recent memory. Wisconsin's Cruz Lucius opened scoring in the second period before Denver's Rieger Lorenz forced overtime with a third-period equalizer.
The game is trending nationally as college hockey enjoys renewed attention following ESPN's expanded coverage this season. Social media erupted with reactions to the overtime finish, including from NHL stars like Cale Makar, a Denver alum who tweeted "Pioneer Pride!" after the win.
Wisconsin was seeking its seventh title and first since 2006, while Denver further cemented its status as the sport's modern dynasty under coach David Carle. The victory marks Denver's third championship in eight seasons.
Attendance at the Xcel Energy Center topped 19,000, with thousands more watching on ESPN2 where the game delivered the network's highest college hockey ratings since 2019. The intense rivalry between the two programs - both members of the reconfigured NCHC conference - added extra stakes to the championship.
Wisconsin goaltender Kyle McClellan made 38 saves in a losing effort, while Denver's Matt Davis stopped 27 shots to earn Most Outstanding Player honors. The game's physical play resulted in 14 combined penalties, including five power play opportunities that both teams failed to convert.
With the win, Denver becomes the first program to reach double-digit NCAA hockey championships, breaking a tie with Michigan. The Pioneers' victory caps a 32-9-3 season and extends the NCHC's streak of national titles to four straight years.
