Pioneers capture 2026 NCHC Frozen Faceoff title with double-OT win over Minnesota Duluth

It took more than four periods of hockey, but Denver beat Minnesota Duluth 4-3 in double-overtime on Saturday night in the NCHC Frozen Faceoff championship game on home ice at Magness Arena.

DU secured its 19th overall conference tournament championship and fourth in the NCHC. DU last won the Frozen Faceoff in 2024 at the then-Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

With the win, DU earns the NCHC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Kristian Epperson scored the game winner 1:54 into the second extra stanza to help the No. 4-nationally ranked Pioneers take home the National Cup for the fourth time.

“I just commend our fans, our league, our administration here at DU for making this happen; our fans were excellent,” said Denver head coach David Carle. “You know, throughout this whole format, it was wonderful to be on the campus sites, and I thought it adds a lot of energy and excitement to the games. So really happy for that, and obviously another great hockey game tonight, different than the last one. Great start by us, great response by them, and even from there we found a way to make a play at the end. I thought both teams obviously played really hard, played well. Wouldn’t be surprised to see them again down the line.”

“Just being able to do that in our home building, super special,” added Denver captain Kent Anderson. “You know, obviously a big game and trophy on the line. Just proud of our group for coming through and making a play there at the end. A lot of games in Magness, and it feels good to win that one.”

Rieger Lorenz and Clarke Caswell each contributed a goal and an assist, and Garrett Brown had a career-high two helpers in the contest. Boston Buckberger also scored and Pioneers goaltender Johnny Hicks earned tournament Most Outstanding Player honors after posting career highs with 41 saves, which included making 14 saves in the first overtime period.

“I’ve been asked and talked a lot about (Hicks) in this stretch, and there’s not much more to say – he’s just been excellent for us,” Carle said. “I mean, these guys said he’s been a rock for us. You know, can’t do it without him. And his reads, his poise, his confidence, timely saves, timely whistles… it’s all kind of working for him right now, and our team is obviously benefiting, and he’s a huge part of it.”

Minnesota Duluth goaltender Adam Gajan stopped 29 of 33 shots that the Pioneers sent his way. Max Plante, Grayden Siepmann and Hunter Anderson tallied for the No. 6-ranked Bulldogs.

The Pioneers will host the NCAA West Regionals at Blue Arena in Loveland next weekend, March 27-29, playing ECAC Hockey's Cornell to open the tournament on Friday night.

“You look at the ‘24 team, I think we built momentum throughout the back half of that season there,” Lorenz said. “I don’t think we win the national championship if we don’t win the Frozen Faceoff. It was a super big game for our group. Happy to see that we pulled through and we feel pretty good going to regionals right now with the way we’re playing.”

Photo/Michael Ciaglo/Clarkson Creative Photography