Denver University Hockey Wins NCAA Championship In Overtime Thriller
Denver University hockey clinched its 10th NCAA national championship Saturday night with a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory against Boston College. The Pioneers' sophomore forward Jack Devine scored the game-winner 12:01 into sudden death at the Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minnesota, capping a historic season for the program.
The victory makes Denver the first NCAA Division I men's hockey program to reach double-digit national titles. The championship game drew record television ratings for ESPN, with peak viewership during overtime surpassing 1.8 million households.
Social media erupted after the game, with #DUHockey trending nationally on Twitter. University officials announced Sunday they will host a championship parade through campus on Tuesday afternoon. The team's return flight to Denver International Airport drew hundreds of cheering fans late Saturday night.
This marks Denver's second title in three years under head coach David Carle, the youngest coach to win multiple NCAA hockey championships at age 34. The win comes as Denver University celebrates the 75th anniversary of its hockey program, adding significance to the milestone victory.
Boston College had forced overtime with a last-minute goal, setting up the dramatic finish. Denver goaltender Matt Davis made 37 saves, including several crucial stops in overtime before Devine's championship-clinching breakaway.
The Frozen Four set attendance records at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center, with 19,483 fans witnessing the championship game. Ticket resale prices had soared above $500 in the hours before puck drop as anticipation built for the matchup between college hockey's top two teams.
University president Jeremy Haefner called the victory "a defining moment for our athletic program" in a statement Sunday morning. The championship caps a remarkable turnaround for Denver hockey, which missed the NCAA tournament entirely just four seasons ago.
With most of its championship roster expected to return next season, Denver immediately becomes the favorite to repeat as national champions. The team's success has sparked renewed interest in college hockey across Colorado, with youth program registrations reportedly surging since Saturday's win.
