Denver wins third NCAA hockey title in five years

LAS VEGAS -- Kyle Chyzowski tipped in a shot from the point with 5:52 left to back up another sensational performance from goalie Johnny Hicks and rally Denver to a 2-1 victory over Wisconsin on Saturday for the Pioneers' third national championship in five years.

The victory also extended the Pioneers' record to 11 national titles overall and denied the Badgers their seventh championship and first since 2006.

This also was a rare loss for a Big Ten Conference team in a championship game this academic year. That conference already is home to the current champions in football (Indiana), men's basketball (Michigan) and women's basketball (UCLA).

But the National Collegiate Hockey Conference remains the sport's premier league by claiming eight of the past 10 national champions.

"I'm so happy that we could get it done with this group," said Hicks, fighting back tears. "We've gone through so much adversity, and I'm just so proud of this group."

Hicks continued his stellar play by making 29 saves, just two days after a personal-high 49 against Michigan. He did not lose in regulation since taking over as starter, going 16-0-1. Hicks entered this game by leading the nation with a 1.20 goals-against average and .957 save percentage.

Hicks was named Most Outstanding Player after also receiving that honor in Denver's conference and regional tournaments.

"I was just playing off instinct," Hicks said.

Rieger Lorenz scored the other goal for Denver.

Wisconsin's goal came from Vasily Zelenov, and Daniel Hauser stopped 13 shots.

Zelenov's blast from the left circle off the rush with 6:24 left in the first period put Wisconsin up 1-0, a lead that held up until 7:31 of the third.

That's when Kristian Epperson passed to defenseman Garrett Brown at the left point. His shot resulted in a rebound opportunity for Lorenz, who scored easily around Hauser into the open net.

Then, it was a matter of finishing the job, which is what happened when Boston Buckberger delivered a one-timer from the right point that likely would have gone into the net even if Chyzowski hadn't gotten a stick on the puck.

Denver didn't have a shot on goal for the first 8½ minutes and ended the first period with just two for the fifth time in a title game. The Pioneers also had two shots on goal in a period in 1963 against North Dakota. Minnesota was the most recent team to have such few shots, occurring three years ago against Quinnipiac.

The Pioneers managed just three more shots on goal in the second period against Wisconsin's forecheck, with the Badgers outshooting them 21-5 through two periods.

It had a similar feel to Denver's 4-3 double-overtime victory over Michigan in Thursday night's semifinals. The Wolverines outshot Denver 52-26, but the Pioneers found a way to force OT and win in extra time.