Matt Davis, DU Pioneers defeated Boston College for 10th NCAA title

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Denver Pioneers are officially the kings of college hockey.

The Pioneers came to Minnesota to claim their NCAA-record 10th national championship, traveling all over Massachusetts to do so.

Matt Davis made 35 saves Saturday at the

Jared Wright and Rieger Lorenz each scored in the second period to put the Pios on course for their 10th title, one more than Michigan now and alone at the top of the sport. Wright and Lorenz make up two-thirds of DU’s third line, but are also part of why the Pioneers’ offensive depth has been a catalyst for this club all season.

“We will be together forever as champions,” DU head coach David Carle told his players during the post-game locker room celebration. “We have the (expletive) belt. No one can argue anymore. We are the best program in college hockey.”

Wright scored from the bottom of the left circle 9:42 into the second period. His shot hit Boston College goalie Jacob Fowler, jumped into the air and bounced over the goal line for Wright’s 15th goal of the season.

Lorenz created a two-goal lead after a brilliant play by first-year sensation Zeev Buium. The Pios defender made his way into the offensive zone, pulled two BC players towards him and then delivered a backhanded, no-look pass to Lorenz in the left circle. Lorenz fired a shot over Fowler’s shoulder on the short side with 4:48 left in the period.

It was Lorenz’s 16th goal of the season and point No. 50 for Buium. The defenseman on Friday became the first DU freshman to earn All-America honors since 2017, continuing to show why he is a potential top-10 selection in the 2024 NHL draft with his performances on both ends of the ice against the powerful Eagles.

“I think it was the prep work,” Lorenz said of the defensive performance. “We have the best coach in college hockey. He prepares us throughout the weeks and also in pre-scout. He has been a tremendous help to me and our team throughout our careers. We are incredibly blessed to have him.”

Davis has been a revelation during this postseason run, and the punctuation mark was his big steal of 2023 first-round pick Ryan Leonard in the third period when Boston College was in charge. The puck came to Leonard near the top of the crease with much of the net open, but Davis dove to his right and grabbed a piece of the puck with his right arm.

There were eight postseason games. Davis went 8-0 and allowed 10 goals, including just three in four NCAA games.

“I shared so many special moments with the boys after the (final) buzzer sounded,” Davis said. “I will cherish it forever.”

The Pioneers haven’t been a particularly strong defensive team for most of this season, but DU stifled four straight NCAA teams, including two of the top four offenses in the country during this Frozen Four.