The No. 8 Denver Pioneers hockey team secured the Gold Pan trophy for the seventh consecutive season with a 2-2 tie against Colorado College. Although the game officially counts as a tie, the Pioneers won the subsequent shootout, earning an extra conference point. The game featured tight competition, with each team scoring on power plays; Denver’s comeback included goals from Rieger Lorenz and Jake Fisher after initially trailing 2-0. Freshman goaltender Johnny Hicks contributed significantly with 30 saves and a strong performance in the shootout. The Pioneers will face the Tigers again in their final rivalry matchup of the regular season at Magness Arena.

By the Numbers
  • Pioneers had 32 shots on goal compared to Colorado College’s 31.
  • Denver successfully converted 1 of 3 power-play opportunities; Colorado finished 2 for 4.
State of Play
  • Denver is 16-11-3 this season, placing them 2nd in the NCHC standings.
  • The Pioneers extended their unbeaten streak to four games, including two wins in shootouts.
What's Next

The Pioneers will play Colorado College again on Saturday, before heading out for their last road games of the regular season against Omaha on February 13-14. Winning the final rivalry match will be crucial for playoff positioning.

Bottom Line

The tie with Colorado College underscores the Pioneers’ resilience and competitive edge in the NCHC. Securing the Gold Pan continues to affirm their dominance in the rivalry, and maintaining consistency will be key as they approach the postseason.