The scoreboard read University of Denver: 5, Minnesota State: 1 at the two-minute warning.

After a slow start and an early lead for the Mavericks, the tide finally turned and nerves gave way to nervous excitement and then cheers as the crowd inside Crimson and Gold Tavern began to anticipate the oncoming triumph.

The final ten seconds of the game built into a raging roar. Drinks flew into the air; students, friends and strangers hugged and high-fived one another.

 

“We did it… Holy sh*t we did it!” one fan yelled. Laughter, shouts of joy and tears rippled out as DU won the 2022 NCAA Hockey Championship.

Amid the chaos, one voice cut through the noisy bar. “To the streets!” the student shouted.

More and more joined in the chant, and the bar emptied out onto University Ave. Students and other DU fans stretched across the street, with some climbing traffic lights and signs while others attempted to direct southbound traffic onto Asbury St. and away from the now-blocked road.

Fireworks exploded over the street. The crowd continued to grow as students and fans from surrounding bars, restaurants, apartments and houses joined the celebration. Police responded quickly and blocked off University Ave. at 8:47 p.m. One student reacted to their arrival, sarcastically, saying “bring on the tear gas.”

Onlookers honked and revved their engines—some in support, some angered by the sudden and unofficial detour caused by students in the street.

A couch materialized out of one of the alleys nearby, carried by several students. The crowd erupted into a “burn that couch” chant. By 8:53 p.m. the couch disappeared into the mass of people. Smoke began rising at 8:57 p.m.

Members of the crowd cheered as the flames grew. Some made the risky decision to leap over the burning heap. Two unidentified males collided midair, resulting in one of them falling into the flame. Several students quickly jumped into action and pulled the attempted jumper out of the fire.

At 8:59 p.m., three squad cars advanced into the intersection with sirens and lights on to clear the crowd and allow a responding fire truck to combat the inferno. The crowd parted and allowed firefighters to access the blaze.

A line of police, armed with paintball guns, armor and fully decked out in tactical gear surrounded the burning couch. Their presence received mixed reactions, with cheers of gratitude from some and “f*ck the police” and “oink oink” from others. The firefighters on-scene received mostly supportive comments.

Several other small fires, primarily couches, were reported and documented on social media in the hours following DU’s victory. At least one Lyft scooter was also burned. The charred remains were visible around campus in the following days.

The championship win, DU’s first since 2017, was followed by a notably similar course of events to the school’s last victory.

No arrests have been made, according to the Denver Police Department.