Denver Beats Maine for Hockey Title

Denver won its first NCAA hockey championship since 1969 with a 1-0 victory over Maine on Saturday night at the Fleet Center.

Gabe Gauthier of Buena Park scored a first-period power-play goal that stood up, but it didn’t come easy for the Pioneers (27-12-5). They had to withstand a six-on-three Maine advantage in the final moments.

Matt Laatsch was sent to the penalty box for hooking with 2:09 to play. Then Gauthier was called for a delay of game with 1:34 left after closing his hand on the puck.

When Jimmy Howard left the Maine net with 1:13 remaining, the Black Bears (33-8-3) had a three-man advantage.

Adam Berkhoel, chosen the Frozen Four’s MVP, came up with his two biggest saves, both on slap shots by Maine’s top scorer, Colin Shields.

Denver won five national titles during a 12-year span in the 1950s and 1960s but none since 1969. Maine won titles in 1993 and 1999.

The Black Bears thought they took the lead early in the first period. Derek Damon put the puck in the net after Shields’ shot from the point squirted to the right of the Denver goal.

A wide-open Damon poked the puck past a lunging Berkhoel, but after a review the goal was disallowed because Mike Hamilton’s skate was barely in the crease.