Denver Pioneers 'stick with it,' rally in third period to win school's ninth NCAA men's hockey crown

BOSTON — Denver scored five unanswered third-period goals to capture the NCAA Division I men's hockey championship with a 5-1 victory over Minnesota State at TD Garden Saturday night.

It's the ninth title in program history for the Pioneers, which ties Michigan's NCAA record for the most in history. Denver eliminated the Wolverines in the semifinals of the Frozen Four to advance to the title game against the Mavericks.

Senior forward Ryan Barrow and sophomore defenseman Mike Benning scored two minutes and 47 seconds apart in the third period to erase Minnesota State's 1-0 lead, finally breaking through against a stingy Mavericks defense in front of Hobey Baker Award-winning goalie Dryden McKay.

«I kinda blacked out. I just saw my teammates coming towards me and I had to (celebrate),» Benning said of his game-winning goal. «I thought I owed it to my teammates after taking that penalty.»

Denver goalie Magnus Chrona, a San Jose Sharks prospect, made 24 saves in the victory.

In the first period, Minnesota State struck first on the power play, with Benning in the box for tripping Andy Carroll. Junior forward Brendan Furry launched a shot from the left wing that Chrona kicked to the slot. The puck went through the legs of a Pioneers penalty killer to Mavericks winger Lucas Sowder, who made a quick pass to junior forward Sam Morton. With his momentum taking him backwards as he shot the puck, Morton's one-timer found the back of the net with 6:01 remaining in the first period.

The Mavericks would kill off a Denver power play and outshot them 8-3 in the opening frame. Minnesota State held an 18-8 advantage after two periods.

«We just said 'stick with it.' We didn't get here by shying award from challenges,» Denver coach David