Denver University Hockey Wins NCAA Championship In Overtime Thriller

Denver University Hockey Wins NCAA Championship In Overtime Thriller...

Denver University's hockey team clinched the 2026 NCAA Frozen Four championship Saturday night with a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory against Boston College. The Pioneers secured their record-breaking 10th national title in front of a sold-out crowd at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The championship-winning goal came just 1:47 into overtime when sophomore forward Jake Devries fired a wrist shot past Boston College's goaltender. The victory caps an improbable postseason run for Denver, which entered the tournament as a No. 3 seed in its regional bracket.

This marks Denver's third national championship in the past eight years under head coach David Carle, cementing the program's status as a modern college hockey dynasty. The win sparked massive celebrations on campus Sunday, with thousands of students gathering at the Ritchie Center for an impromptu rally.

The championship game drew significant national attention as it featured two of college hockey's most storied programs. Denver's victory breaks a tie with Michigan for the most NCAA hockey championships in history. ESPN's broadcast peaked at 2.1 million viewers during the overtime period.

University officials announced Sunday that the team will be honored with a parade through campus on Tuesday afternoon. The championship comes at a pivotal time for Denver athletics, as the school prepares to join the new-look Big 12 Conference in 2027.

Social media erupted with reactions from alumni and hockey fans nationwide, including congratulations from Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. The team's victory parade route will pass through downtown Denver before concluding at Magness Arena.

This championship run has particularly resonated with Denver's student body after last year's disappointing first-round tournament exit. University administrators report a surge in freshman applications since Saturday's victory, particularly from hockey hotbed states like Minnesota and Massachusetts.

The Frozen Four's return to Minnesota proved fortuitous for Denver, which won its 2004 and 2005 championships in the same arena. Athletic director Josh Berlo called the victory "a testament to our program's sustained excellence" during Sunday's press conference.