It was perhaps the most somber senior exit in the history of Magness Arena. After an on-ice group picture, the seven seniors on the University of Denver hockey team made the short walk from the Zamboni exit to the locker room. They had just spearheaded a 14th consecutive victory over rival Colorado College, further substantiating the Pioneers’ No. 1 national ranking.
But none of the seniors, who had joined the program when coach Jim Montgomery took over, could muster a smile. Playing their final game at Magness Arena on March 11 was a reminder of all they had accomplished in their career, yes, but also how much they’ll miss the man who molded the Pioneers into the favorites to win the NCAA championship this year. The top-ranked and overall No. 1 seed Pioneers (29-7-4) open tournament play Saturday against No. 16 seed Michigan Tech in the Midwest Regional in Cincinnati.
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