Pioneers score late to edge Badgers in claiming 3rd NCAA men’s hockey title in 5 years

The University of Denver Pioneers won their third NCAA men's hockey championship in the past 5 years Saturday night, defeating Wisconsin 2-1.

The University of Denver Pioneers won their third NCAA men’s hockey championship in five years Saturday night, defeating the Wisconsin Badgers 2-1.

It was the Pioneers’ 11th national title.

Kyle Chyzowski tipped in a shot with 5:52 remaining in the third period to break a 1-1 tie and give the Pioneers, who feature five Albertans, including three Calgary players on its roster.

Calgarian Rieger Lorenz scored the other goal for Denver.

Besides Lorenz, captain Kent Anderson and defenceman Eric Jamieson call Calgary home.

Two other Albertans, Cale Ashcroft of St. Albert and Reid Varkonyi of Sherwood Park are on the Pioneer roster.

Anderson was the hero in Thursday’s semi-final 4-3 overtime victory over the Michigan Wolverines when he scored in the second overtime.

Pioneer goaltender Johnny Hicks was the story once again, stopping 29 shots to pick up the victory.

Hicks was named the most outstanding player of the tournament.

Vasily Zelenov scored for Wisconsin.

The Pioneers were able to win it despite only having 15 shots on goal.

The last time the Pioneerswon the men’s hockey championship, in 2024, the roster featured a half dozen Albertans, including five Calgarians.