All too often this season, the #8 Denver Pioneers (18-11-3, 14-6-1 NCHC) have put themselves behind the eight-ball with frequent slow starts. It was a big part of the reason why they muddled through the middle part of the season with only one win in seven tries, and coming off a five-game unbeaten streak, it looked like their slow-starting woes were going to strike again as they allowed the Omaha Mavericks (10-19-0, 6-13-0 NCHC) to score first on an early power play at Baxter Arena in game one of the Pioneers’ penultimate series of the regular season. But after one dominant shift halfway through the second period, DU flipped the script, dominated the remaining 30 minutes of the game, and cruised to a 5-2 road victory. The Pioneers, who have now clinched home ice advantage for at least the NCHC Tournament quarterfinals, have three regular-season games remaining. Continue reading Pioneers Overcome Slow Start to Top Omaha Mavericks, 5-2 →

Friday night’s shootout victory in Colorado Springs, the game that clinched the Gold Pan for DU, provided all the drama the #8 Denver Pioneers (17-11-3, 13-6-1 NCHC) had to worry about this weekend. In game two against the Colorado College Tigers (11-13-4, 5-9-4 NCHC) in Denver, the Pioneers never trailed and coasted to a 4-1 victory, which earned them a five-point weekend to stay two points back of first-place North Dakota. After recording just one win in an eight-game stretch from December 13 to January 23, the Pioneers are now on a five-game unbeaten streak, dating back to the 6-0 drubbing of St. Cloud State two weeks ago. Continue reading Pioneers Take Care Of Business vs. Tigers to Earn 5-Point Weekend →

The Gold Pan is staying home. For the seventh consecutive season, the #8 Denver Pioneers (16-11-3, 12-6-1 NCHC) have laid claim to the traveling trophy that is awarded annually to the winner of the Battle for the Gold Pan between DU and Colorado College (11-12-4, 5-8-4 NCHC). With the 3-2 shootout victory in Colorado Springs, clinched by freshman Kristian Epperson in the second round and goalie Johnny Hicks, who made all three saves, the Pioneers have already earned seven of the 12 possible points in this year’s rivalry series. The shootout victory also means they gain a point on 1st-place North Dakota, which has two games in hand on the Pioneers. Continue reading Pioneers Retain Gold Pan for 7th-Straight Season with Shootout Victory at Colorado College →

Freshman goalie Johnny Hicks pitched a shutout and Rieger Lorenz scored the game’s only goal in three-on-three overtime off of a perfect pass from Eric Pohlkamp as the #11 Denver Pioneers (16-11-2, 12-6-0 NCHC) topped the #7 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (17-11-0, 8-10-0 NCHC) 1-0 in game two of the weekend series at Magness Arena. The Pioneers claimed five of the six possible points for NCHC standings purposes and remained at #11 in the NPI. Continue reading Denver Earns 5-Point Weekend Sweep Over Minnesota Duluth With Thrilling 1-0 OT Victory →

Everything was going swimmingly for the #11 Denver Pioneers (15-11-2, 11-6-0 NCHC)…until it wasn’t. Sam Harris scored in the closing moments of the first period before three different Pioneers scored in the second period to take a 4-0 lead over the #7 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (17-10-0, 8-9-0 NCHC) into the third period. But a Tory Pitner major penalty for cross-checking with six seconds left in the second period opened the door for the Bulldogs to begin their comeback. Three UMD goals later, one allowed by starter Johnny Hicks and two by backup Paxton Geisel, who came in after Hicks went down with a leg injury, the Pioneers were holding on for dear life over the final six minutes. Fortunately for DU, the Bulldogs and their #1-ranked power play unit were unable to find their fourth goal, and the Pioneers escaped with a 4-3 victory for their first Friday victory of 2026. Continue reading Pioneers Survive Bulldogs’ Third-Period Rally to Earn Huge NPI Victory →

The #9 Denver Pioneers (14-11-2, 10-6-0 NCHC) were in real danger of being swept at Magness Arena for the second-straight time after last night’s collapse. Instead, they weathered a slow, sloggy start and an injury to their starting goalie before potting two goals at the end of the opening period and cruised to a 6-0 shutout victory over the St. Cloud State Huskies (13-13-0, 6-10-0 NCHC). Every game and win from here on out is incredibly important for a team fighting for its NCAA Tournament life. Continue reading Pohlkamp Breaks NCHC Record as Pioneers Rebound from Friday Night Collapse with Huskies Shutout →

It was a strong start for the #9 Denver Pioneers (13-11-2, 9-6-0 NCHC) as they tallied the game’s first two goals over the 21-and-a-half minutes, but apparently, that’s also when they thought their series-opening game against the St. Cloud State Huskies (13-12-0, 6-9-0 NCHC) ended. The Huskies scored four-straight goals, including an empty-netter with 1:11 left, to ice the game and deliver the Pioneers their 6th home loss in 12 contests in a wildly underwhelming and disappointing season. Continue reading Pioneers Surrender Four Straight Goals in 4-2 Loss to Huskies →

Denver men’s hockey (12-10-2, 8-5-0) visited The Ralph Friday night for a two-game set against the Fighting Hawks in Grand Forks. It was a recurring theme for the Pioneers as they fell behind early, struggled on the powerplay and had uncharacteristic breakdowns on both ends of the ice in a 5-0 rout. Continue reading North Dakota Blitzes Denver in Opener, 5-0 →