The University of Denver Pioneers are one win away from capturing the NCAA Division I men's hockey championship, and they'll have Calgary Flames prospect Eric Jamieson in their lineup when they take on the University of Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday afternoon.
The championship game tips off at 3:30 p.m. MT on TSN2 and TSN+, marking the conclusion of a season that began with 63 teams competing in October.
Denver's Dominant Run
The Pioneers have been nearly unstoppable since January, posting a 16-0-1 record since mid-January. Denver won their conference tournament, then dispatched Cornell, Western Michigan, and Michigan on their path to the national final. Thursday's semifinal saw the team survive an overtime thriller against North Dakota, with goaltender Johnny Hicks delivering a spectacular 49-save performance.
Jamieson, a freshman defenceman, has been a crucial piece of Denver's defensive puzzle this season, paired alongside Hobey Baker finalist Eric Pohlkamp on the team's top pairing. While Denver may lack household names on offence, the Pioneers have built their success on depth, adaptability, and a structured team game that can adjust to any opponent.
Hicks has been the backbone of Denver's championship push, posting a 16-0-1 record with an impressive 1.20 goals-against average and .957 save percentage.
Wisconsin's Unlikely Journey
Wisconsin arrives in the final as an at-large bid after losing to Ohio State in the Big 10 conference tournament quarterfinal. The Badgers have since reeled off three consecutive playoff victories, including a dominant performance against North Dakota in Thursday's semifinal.
Like Denver, Wisconsin relies on structure and team defence rather than superstar talent. The Badgers employs a relentless forecheck and disciplined penalty kill, forcing opponents into mistakes and wearing them down through sheer hockey acumen. Goaltender Daniel Hauser, who spent time with the Calgary Hitmen, has been stellar throughout the tournament.
Historic Opportunity for Calgary Connection
If Denver captures the title, Jamieson will become the first Calgary Flames prospect to win an NCAA championship since 2015, when Providence College won the title with Flames prospects Jon Gillies, John Gilmour, and Mark Jankowski on their roster.
This article is based on reporting from FlamesNation. Read the original story at FlamesNation.ca.