The University of Denver Pioneers turned Magness Arena into a marathon ice show on Saturday night, outlasting Minnesota Duluth 4-3 in double overtime to capture the NCHC Frozen Faceoff title. Freshman Kristian Epperson buried the winner off a feed from Clarke Caswell, and fellow rookie Johnny Hicks slammed the door with 41 saves in net. The victory delivers Denver its 19th conference tournament crown and stretches the Pioneers' season-long unbeaten run to 13 games (12-0-1).
Game-winning moment came in second overtime
According to The Denver Post, Epperson struck early in the second extra period, jumping on Caswell's setup and snapping the deadlock to ignite a wild celebration on the Denver bench. Minnesota Duluth had pushed the Pioneers deep into overtime with sustained pressure, but DU's depth and timely goaltending ultimately tipped the balance in the final.
Official bracket shows Denver as champion
The official NCHC tournament bracket now stamps Denver as the Frozen Faceoff champion after the 4-3 double-overtime win at Magness Arena, adding another postseason trophy to the program's crowded case. The result is recorded in the conference's tournament materials and caps a weekend in which the Pioneers stayed composed in tight, high-stakes games. NCHC published the bracket and results.
Hicks steals the spotlight in net
Rookie goaltender Johnny Hicks was the breakout star of the night, piling up 41 saves and earning Frozen Faceoff Most Outstanding Player honors in the process. Denver Athletics has chronicled Hicks' rise this season and notes that the Kamloops, British Columbia, native has become a stabilizing presence in goal for DU. Game coverage credits his steady work between the pipes with giving Denver the backbone it needed until Epperson finally ended it in the second overtime.
Regionals and what comes next
With the conference tournament title secured, Denver locks in an NCAA tournament berth and quickly pivots to Selection Sunday and the regional draw. One of the 2026 regional sites is Blue Arena in Loveland, a familiar regional destination for the Pioneers, according to regional site listings. FloHockey lists Blue Arena among the 2026 regional hosts.
For Denver fans, this win feels like both a cathartic release and a clear message. The Pioneers are built to grind through long nights, and they will try to drag this 13-game unbeaten streak straight into the national bracket. How far they go now likely hinges on matchups and whether Hicks can keep delivering the kind of nervy, high-volume goaltending he flashed on Saturday.
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