As if postseason hockey weren’t high-stakes enough, a third series with your in-state arch rival is sure to bring an extra edge. Make it the second time in two years that you faced that rival in this position — hoping to kick off a month-long run to defend your national title — and you’ve turned up the pressure to what the Denver Pioneers will face this weekend.
The first round of the NCHC tournament kicks off Friday, one week later than all of the other conferences in Division I college hockey. For the #4 Denver Pioneers, who locked up the second seed in the tournament, that means at least two more games with seventh-seeded Colorado College.