Denver wins Frozen Four

Denver came from behind Saturday to beat Wisconsin 2-1 in Las Vegas and win the 2026 NCAA men’s hockey championship. (ncaa.com) Wisconsin led 1-0 after Vasily Zelenov scored at 13:36 of the first period, then Denver flipped the game with two third-period goals. Rieger Lorenz tied it at 7:31 of the third, and Kyle Chyzowski scored the winner at 14:08. (uscho.com) Johnny Hicks stopped 29 of 30 shots for Denver, while Wisconsin’s Daniel Hauser made 13 saves. Denver was outshot 30-15 and had only five shots through two periods before its late push. (uscho.com) (sports.yahoo.com) The win gave Denver its 11th national title, extending the program’s own record in Division I men’s hockey. It was also the Pioneers’ third championship in five seasons, after earlier titles in 2022 and 2024. (ncaa.com) (espn.com) This final matched two of the sport’s most decorated programs. Wisconsin was chasing its seventh championship and its first since 2006, but finished 24-13-2 after the loss. (usatoday.com) (uscho.com) Denver reached the title game by beating Michigan 3-2 in double overtime in the national semifinal on April 9. Wisconsin advanced the same night with a 2-1 win over Penn State. (ncaa.com 1) (ncaa.com 2) Hicks was named the Frozen Four’s Most Outstanding Player after making 78 saves across Denver’s two wins in Las Vegas. Denver finished the season 29-11-3. (nhl.com) (uscho.com) By the final horn at T-Mobile Arena, Denver had turned a one-goal deficit and a 15-shot night into another banner season. Wisconsin carried the lead for nearly 40 minutes; Denver carried the trophy home. (uscho.com) (ncaa.com)