Underdog story comes just short as Wisconsin falls to Denver in National Championship

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 11: Kyle Chyzowski #16 of the Denver Pioneers scores a goal past Daniel Hauser #31 of the Wisconsin Badgers during the third period of the NCAA Division I men's ice hockey championship game at T-Mobile Arena on April 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It was bound to come an end. The amazing postseason run came to an end on the biggest stage for the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday evening, as they fell 2-1 to the Denver Pioneers in the National Championship game.

It was a game that Wisconsin had been in control for the first two periods, as they outshot Denver 21-5 while holding a 1-0 lead heading into the final frame.

But, even as Wisconsin was the aggressor, the star of the game was Denver goalie Johnny Hicks, who had another fantastic game with 29 saves on 30 shots.

In the final period, Denver was more on the aggressive and tied things up 7:31 into the period on a Rieger Lorenz goal. The go-ahead score came deeper into the third period with less than six minutes left, putting Wisconsin in a position they weren’t able to overcome.

The Badgers did get one great look that didn’t go down in the final three minutes, but their amazing postseason run came to an end as it was Denver celebrating when the final horn sounded.

Goalie Daniel Hauser, who had been the hero for Wisconsin this postseason, had another quality perfomance with some major saves. Unfortunately, Hicks was just the better goalie on Saturday, leading to a Denver championship.