The No. 11 Denver Pioneers secured a 1-0 overtime victory over the No. 7 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, sweeping the series. Rieger Lorenz scored the game-winning goal just 2:17 into overtime at Magness Arena. Both teams struggled to score despite a combined 49 shots, with Denver outshooting Duluth 31-19 overall. This win marks the Pioneers' first weekend sweep of 2026 and their fourth overall this season. Freshman goaltender Johnny Hicks achieved his first career shutout, denying all 19 shots he faced.

By the Numbers
  • Denver outshot Duluth 31-19, including a 14-4 margin in the third period and overtime.
  • Johnny Hicks holds a 0.55 goals-against average and .980 save percentage over seven games this season.
Yes, But

Despite holding Duluth's top line for zero points throughout the weekend, the Pioneers need to maintain consistency as they faced struggles in the second period of the last game. Coach David Carle acknowledged areas for improvement while highlighting the team's strong finish.

State of Play
  • The Pioneers are now 7-1-0 in their last eight games against Duluth.
  • Denver continues their season with a home-and-home series against Colorado College next weekend.
What's Next

Denver will face Colorado College in a highly anticipated rivalry series, aiming to leverage their recent momentum for success in back-to-back games.

Bottom Line

This win highlights the Pioneers' potential as they look to build on their positive momentum against rivals. The team's performance in the coming matches will test their consistency and growth as they approach the playoffs.