Denver hockey booked their ticket to the Frozen Four in Las Vegas with a commanding 6-2 victory over No. 5 Western Michigan in the NCAA Regional Final on March 29. 

This win brings Denver to their seventh Frozen Four in the last 10 years and brings a record-extending eleventh national championship into reach. 

But the final stretch is no easy task, the Crimson and Gold will face No. 1 Michigan on April 9 in the national semi-final. If they win, they will play the winner of No. 2 North Dakota and No. 12 Wisconsin for the championship.

“Right now, there’s a lot of confidence and belief. We’ve played really good teams,” said Head Coach David Carle. “I just think we’re battle tested and prepared to play to the level that you need to have success this time of year.”

Carle’s success this year has been a testament to his commitment to the Denver hockey program. Last May, he signed a multi-year extension despite being connected to multiple NHL coaching vacancies. 

Although Denver has momentum heading into the Frozen Four with an overall record of 27-11-3, it has been a bumpy road to get there.

The Crimson and Gold started their season defined by inconsistency. It showed in October losses to Lindenwood, Northeastern and Alaska Anchorage. 

Then, with back to back sweeps against Western Michigan and Colorado College, it looked like they had found their form. 

But they had not. Marked by a 4-3 loss in December at St. Cloud State, Denver’s season took a turn for the worse. They went on to endure a losing streak that lasted six games and over a month, putting their hopes of even making the playoffs in jeopardy. 

After finding a new low in a 5-0 loss at North Dakota, Denver shifted gears. They came back the next day and won 3-2. 

Denver would lose once more the following weekend in a home series against St. Cloud State. They responded with a 6-0 annihilation on Jan. 24 and have not lost since. 

This 15 game winning streak took them through the end of the regular season, their NCHC tournament win and the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament. Junior defenseman Eric Pohlkamp has been a key asset throughout this run, earning him a spot as one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award.

The winner will be announced on April 10, in between rounds of the Frozen Four. 

With their tumultuous season in the past, all eyes will turn to Las Vegas where Denver will try to cap off their late season turnaround with another trophy.