In the days following the University of Denver’s 2004 NCAA Championship victory over Maine, writers and pundits attributed the success of Denver’s hockey program to a variety of factors. Words like “goaltending,” “grit,” a “loosey-goosey attitude” and “senior leadership” were tossed around in abundance. Some even called it a “Cinderella story” after the lowest-seeded team … Read more
Two frantic minutes placed this year’s championship game in the elite of NCAA tournament lore.
There has been such an outpouring of support for the Denver Pioneers recently that coach George Gwozdecky estimates it’ll take two weeks — two weeks he doesn’t have at the moment — to get back to everyone who has called or e-mailed or wrote a letter. The Pioneers are keeping a busy schedule these days. … Read more
Hobey Baker winner Junior Lessard signed a one-year contract Thursday with the Dallas Stars. Lessard, coming off a Frozen Four appearance with Minnesota-Duluth, led the nation in scoring this past season with 63 points in 45 games, including two goals in the NCAA semifinal loss to Denver. A 6-foot native of St. Joseph deBeauce, Que., … Read more
On Wednesday, the American Hockey Coaches Association named Scott Sandelin of Minnesota-Duluth the winner of the 2004 Spencer Penrose Award as national coach of the year. Sandelin, a 1987 graduate of North Dakota, was a Hobey Baker finalist as a senior and served seven years as an assistant coach there under Dean Blais. The Hibbing, … Read more
Denver had kept Maine off the scoreboard for 58 minutes — but then came the final test of resolve.
Denver believed in netminder Adam Berkhoel — and vice versa.
Suspended senior reveled in Denver’s win regardless.
Lukas Dora, who scored the winning goal in Denver’s national semifinal victory on Thursday, has been suspended for Saturday night’s championship game against Maine. Dora, a senior from Lednice, Czech Republic, violated team policy, according to a school news release. A Denver spokesman said further details on the suspension would not be released. In a … Read more
The Hobey Baker Memorial Award is named for a college hockey legend who died a tragic, accidental death in a plane crash during the waning days of World War I. Junior Lessard overcame adversity this season to win the Hobey Baker Memorial Award (photo: Pedro Cancel). Minnesota-Duluth’s Junior Lessard almost emulated the award’s namesake a … Read more
Minnesota-Duluth forward Junior Lessard was honored Friday at historic Faneuil Hall in Boston with the 2004 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, presented annually to college hockey’s top player. Lessard, a native of St. Joseph deBeauce, Que., led the nation in goals this season with 32, in power-play goals with 14, and in points with 63. He … Read more
Denver took advantage of its new life Thursday.
UMD’s skating cheerleaders entertained thousands of fans and at least one member of the press.
Minnesota-Duluth was oh-so-close, but it wasn’t meant to be for the Bulldogs — at least not this season.
DU’s Connor James returned just in time for the Frozen Four.
This season has been about survival for Denver, and the Pioneers have survived to reach the championship game.
Two years ago, No. 1 Denver was upset in the NCAA quarterfinals. This year’s Pioneers have a chance to erase those bad memories.
Junior Lessard shook off a near-death experience to have a great season, and a knee injury to have a great NCAA. Now, he’s close to a Hobey and a national title.
Two players that recently went pro, including one that left early, plus one player still playing are the three Hobey Hat Trick finalists for the 2004 Hobey Baker Award. The three finalists are: Minnesota-Duluth forward Junior Lessard, the nation’s leading scorer, will lead his team into the Frozen Four, starting next Thursday with the Bulldogs’ … Read more
Hobey Baker Award finalist Zach Parise has left school to sign a three-year deal with the Devils.