Nearly 2,000 people attended the championship hockey rally Tuesday to celebrate the University of Denver Pioneers’ second straight national title.

The turnout was not quite as big as the 5,400 Sting drew the night before to Magness Arena, but the atmosphere more than made up for it.

“I thought it was great, and it capped off our second straight title in grand fashion,” said DU junior Randal Singer.

Highlights included Chancellor Daniel L. Ritchie praising the team and its accomplishments, and Deputy Mayor Bill V. Vidal declaring Tuesday University of Denver Pioneer Hockey Team Day on behalf of Mayor John Hickenlooper.

After the pep band warmed up the crowd, the lights dimmed. A short video appeared on the screen and the players were then introduced as the crowd applauded and waved miniature white pom-poms.

The loudest cheers came for freshman forward Paul Stastny, who scored two goals in the championship game against North Dakota, and Peter Mannino, who’s 44 saves earned him the Frozen Four’s Most Outstanding Player award.

Alternate captain Kevin Ulanski held the championship plaque as he skated down the ice.

Captain Matt Laatsch and senior Luke Fulghum could not be at the rally, as they were pursuing professional hockey careers.

It was announced shortly after the rally that both landed contracts with the American Hockey League. Fulghum signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs affiliate St. Johns Maple Leafs, and Laatsch with the Phoenix Coyotes affiliate Utah Grizzlies.

A video recapping the season and playoffs was then shown and when it was over, Head Coach George Gwozdecky walked up to the microphone to a raucous standing ovation.

He thanked the fans and staff and gave highlights and stats of the season, and posed the question, “What could be better than two?”

Captain Nick Larson was the first player to speak, followed by Ulanski, Gabe Gauthier, and Mannino. The four briefly thanked the fans and other contributors to the season.

Then Ritchie spoke, wearing, for the first time, his DU hockey shirt that the team gave him. He noted how proud he was of the hockey team.

To close, the team huddled together and did a team cheer. Dozens of fans lined up in the west concourse after the rally as the team signed autographs.

Fans are confident that they will be attending a similar celebration in 2006 for a third year in a row.

Senior Andy Bonnett said, “It was awesome. It was a great culmination to the year, and we’re gonna do it again next year.”