In a matchup between the country’s top two scoring attacks, it was the effort of a masked man that stole the spotlight on a record-breaking Saturday night.

Junior goaltender Matt Davis came in clutch for Denver University, helping the team win its 10th NCAA Men’s Hockey National Championship, beating the Boston College Eagles, 2-0.

The Pioneers, who have won two of the last three national titles, are the first program in NCAA D-I Hockey history to win 10 championships.

“First to 10, baby!” Davis exclaimed when being interviewed on the ice by ESPN after the win.

Head coach David Carle, who coached players on both DU and BC’s roster to a gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship this past January, was really proud of how his team performed this season.

“It was a hell of a battle,” Carle said immediately following the game. “The growth we had this year. Just so proud of our group, breaking records.”

Carle explained that it was not an easy matchup against the Eagles, with so much future NHL talent scattered throughout the roster. Yet, he pointed out what his team did right.

“I thought our guys did a great job of taking away time and space. [The Eagles] are very dangerous, had many good looks…our guys’ commitment, coming back to the house, getting sticks on pucks tonight, it was a total team effort.”

Just enough to get ahead

After the game was scoreless through 20 minutes, Denver picked things up in the second period. Los Angeles Kings draft pick Jared Wright opened the scoring just before the halfway mark of the period, as his shot rode up off the shoulder of Montreal Canadiens prospect Jacob Fowler and into the net for his 15th goal of the season.

The Pioneers added to the lead with just minutes remaining in the second. Zeev Buium made a great spinning pass to Rieger Lorenz–a Minnesota Wild prospect–who picked the top corner for his 16th on the year to put DU up by two heading into the third.

The number of goals was the story for Denver throughout the entire tournament. Despite leading the NCAA in goals this season (202), averaging 4.6 goals per game, the Pioneers scored just eight times in their four wins, winning each game with only two goals.

Big save Davis

Down 2-0, and with their season on the line, Boston College came out flying in the third period. Minutes into the frame, they received a power play and created plenty of chances, but thanks to a stupendous save from Davis, the Eagles were kept off the board.

Davis had to be sharp all game long, especially when the Eagles had a couple of quality scoring chances in the opening moments of the game. The Calgary native made 35 saves in the win, posting his second shutout of the postseason.

Davis had been the growing star throughout the tournament. The undrafted netminder had been solid all season for the Pioneers, but his star has shined brightest over the past month. Dating back to when Denver won the NCHC Tournament, in which the Pioneers won the program’s 18th conference title, Davis posted a 1.13 goals-against average and a .956 save percentage in the postseason in eight games.

He stopped 138 of the 141 shots he faced in the NCAA Tournament, and was named the Men’s Frozen Four’s Most Outstanding Player.

Davis was interviewed by ESPN, and Daily Faceoff’s Colby Cohen after the game, and was overcome with emotion in the win, but also the support he and the rest of the Pioneers received.

“It’s hard to put into words,” David explained. “I’m just so proud of our group. I just love every one of these guys. So grateful for the coaching, the guys, my family.”

An incredible season falls short

This truly was a turnaround season for Boston College. After having not qualified for the national tournament since 2021, Greg Brown put together a team loaded with star power. From Hobey Baker finalist, and the nation’s leading goal scorer Cutter Gauthier (Anaheim Ducks), to a freshmen class that included NHL prospects Gabe Perreault (New York Rangers), Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals), and Will Smith (San Jose Sharks), who led the nation in points (71).

Prior to Saturday night, the Eagles had not lost a game since February, running roughshod through Hockey East as the no. 1 team in the NCAA, claiming the team’s first conference championship since 2012. BC was looking like the team that was going to break the championship drought, having advanced to the Frozen Four for the first time in eight years, but it was not meant to be.

Against the Pioneers, Boston College had a sluggish second period, as DU swallowed up the Eagles’ attack in the neutral zone. However, the third period saw the daunting offense come to life, throwing everything but the kitchen sink at Davis. BC ended up outshooting Denver 36-25.

All-Tournament Team

Matt Davis, G, Denver (MOP)

Davis was sensational all tournament long, coming up with big saves in the Pioneers’ double-overtime win over UMass in the opening round, as well as in their OT victory over Boston University on Thursday night.

Zeev Buium, D, Denver (2024 NHL Draft eligible)

Buium’s draft stock rose even higher with how he played in the tournament. The freshman, and brother to teammate and Detroit Red Wings prospect Shai, posted two assists in the tournament. He finished second on the team in scoring behind Jack Devine with 50 points.

Sean Behrens, D, Denver (Colorado Avalanche)

Behrens seems like an NHL-ready defenseman the more and more he plays in Denver. He was put against the opposition’s best players all season long, and proved he can be reliable at both ends of the rink.

Will Smith, F, Boston College (San Jose Sharks)

It would be a shock if Smith is not playing in San Jose next season (potentially with Hobey Baker Award winner Macklin Celebrini). The freshman posted four points in the tournament, including two goals against Michigan in the semifinals.

Tristan Broz, F, Denver (Pittsburgh Penguins)

The man with the clutch gene for DU is one of the reasons the team made it to the championship game. His overtime winners against UMass and Boston University moved the Pioneers along in the tournament.

Reiger Lorenz, F, Denver (Minnesota Wild)

His goal on Saturday night was the icing on the cake for the Pioneers. The sophomore has a little bit of growing to do, but has the foundation of being a future impact player down the line.