Posted by Facing off against one of the most prolific attacks in college hockey history, Matt Davis was ready for action.
What he got was an onslaught. He didn’t mind, though. In fact, Denver’s sentry was equal to the barrage, gleaming under the glow of the Xcel Energy Arena lights.
It was just what the Pioneers needed. Fueled by Davis’ heroics, Denver vanquished favored Boston College, capturing the 2024 NCAA Championship.
Entering into the contest, BC was a buzzsaw. The Eagles had assembled one of the most impressive offenses in recent memory. Their first forward line featured three first-round picks, all of whom are freshmen.
It made for a compelling stylistic matchup: The Pioneers’, fueled by their veteran leadership, dueling with a youthful Boston College bunch.
Davis was the difference in the end. He batted away countless efforts from Eagles’ sticks. None were as impressive as the one he made at the start of the third period. With Boston College on a power-play, the puck on Riley Leonard’s stick and the net gaping, it appeared the Eagles finally got themselves back into Saturday’s clash.
In the blink of an eye, Davis teleported from one end of the ice to the other. He stretched wide to send Leonard’s shot away. In the process, he left his imprint on college hockey history.
See it for yourself:
“MATT DAVIS IS OUT OF HIS MIND!!!!”
📺 ESPN2#MFrozenFour #SCTop10 x @DU_Hockey pic.twitter.com/EnFT0DHuHl
Jared Wright, Zeev Buium and Rieger Lorenz made their impact felt on the scoresheet. In the end, though, it was Davis who stood tall. His selection as the Frozen Four’s Most Outstanding Player was simply the cherry on top.
The Sporting News tracked live updates and results from Saturday’s Frozen Four final between Denver and Boston College.
STREAM: Watch Denver vs. Boston College live on Fubo (free trial)
Follow below to see all the action as it happened from Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.
(All times Eastern).
8:40 p.m.: The Pioneers capture the 2024 national championship. Matt Davis takes home MOP honors. Was there ever any surprise?
8:31 p.m.: Fowler is off to the sidelines. Extra man on the ice for the Eagles.
8:28 p.m.: Three minutes left in the frame. The Eagles are headed to the bench for a timeout. It seems like Fowler will be darting from the goal-mount sooner rather than later.
8:26 p.m.: BC has 16 shots in the third period. All 16 have been turned away by Davis. It’s got to be one of the most impressive goaltending displays in recent tournament history, especially given the Eagles’ attacking proficiency.
8:20 p.m.: Every part of Davis is worthy of praise. Including his face. The Pios goaltender denies Leonard once more, this time using his goalie mask to send Leonard’s venomous strike wayward.
8:17 p.m.: Another power play for the Eagles, who desperately need to find the target with less than eight minutes left in the period.
8:06 p.m.: Sometimes you’re good. Sometimes you’re lucky. Davis has been both; Smith;s effort whistled off the post before going wide. Boston College really turning up the screw as we approach the 10-minute mark of the third period.
7:57 p.m: What a save by Davis! Denver’s sends Leonard’s weak-side attempt away, diving fully to corral the effort. Boston College’s power play goes wanting. Davis is the reason why.
“MATT DAVIS IS OUT OF HIS MIND!!!!”
📺 ESPN2#MFrozenFour #SCTop10 x @DU_Hockey pic.twitter.com/EnFT0DHuHl
7:43 p.m.: The Pios laid the hurt on BC in the second period, attempting nine more shots (21-12) and winning 10 more face-offs (27-17) during the frame. The Eagles have quite the mountain to climb in the third.
7:26 p.m: GOAL! Zeev Buium lays the most delicate of prop passes to Rieger Lorenz after drawing two defenders. Rieger subsequently swept the puck into the net, doubling the Pios lead at two.
PIOS DOUBLE THE LEAD ‼️ CALLING CORNERS ‼️
📺 ESPN2#MFrozenFour x @DU_Hockey pic.twitter.com/w0I4ICEyFM
Denver 2, Boston College 0
7:24 p.m.: And he records another lat-ditch stunner, denying Aidan Thompson after the forward sidestepped a pair of Boston College markers. The Eagles just can’t get control in the second frame.
7:22 p.m.: Fowler keeps the Eagles in the game! He denies Wright’s forehand strike after another neutral zone giveaway.
Robbery by Fowler! 👀
📺ESPN2#MFrozenFour x @BC_MHockey pic.twitter.com/9CpqXpZ1OH
7:14 p.m. GOAL! Denver opens the scoring! Jared Wright fires an effort off the post, which subsequently deflects off of Fowler’s back and trickles into the net.
THE PIONEERS STRIKE FIRST!!!!!!
📺 ESPN2#MFrozenFour x @DU_Hockey pic.twitter.com/NXuNaRCYX6
Denver 1, Boston College 0
7:07 p.m.: The Eagles shut the door! They give up just one shot on target during the man advantage. Perhaps that can get their offense out of its relative stupor.
7:04 p.m.: McKade Webster takes a big shot while attempting to corral the puck on the boards. The Pios will get on the power play for two minutes.
7:00 p.m.: Davis continues to showcase his might on the big stage. He just denied Colby Ambrosio a goal on his glove side, snagging an unruly effort after surrendering a tasty rebound.
6:38 p.m.: Denver failed to record a shot in the final eight minutes of the first period. However, the Pios escaped the action without surrendering a goal. Swings and roundabouts, I suppose…
6:23 p.m.: Davis putting on a glowing performance thus far. Has already made a handful of stunning stops to deny the Eagles’ fervent attack. Boston College starting to find its footing as we approach the latter portions of the first period.
6:16 p.m.: Davis denies Smith on the breakaway! Hockey’s hottest goaltender comes up big after Perreault finds Smith with a delicate touch pass. We’re still even at 0 with a little more than 11 minutes left in the first period.
Another view of the Matt Davis breakaway save 👀
📺 ESPN2#MFrozenFour x @DU_Hockey pic.twitter.com/gXUcTgEICo
6:12 p.m.: Excellent save by Fowler, who flicks away another goal-bound effort after the Eagles surrendered possession in their own territory.
6:06 p.m.: Each side already presented with gilt-edged chances. First, the Pioneers took advantage of a neutral ice turnover to get a clear look at goal. It was subsequently batted away by Jacob Fowler.
Shortly thereafter, the Eagles cut through the Pios defense, nearly finding the back of the net after the puck was swept from right to left. However, their effort caromed off the side of the goal frame.
6:03 p.m.: And we’re off! A champion will be crowned tonight!
5:53 p.m.: Few sides have contained more upper-echelon talent than the Eagles. Will they be able to capture gold and stop the drought of “loaded” sides in the Frozen Four?
Will BC be the first team this “Loaded” to win a National Championship? 👀 #ECH pic.twitter.com/v0Pp6we2vh
5:49 p.m.: Twenty-three straight wins between Denver and Boston College heading into Saturday’s clash. Something’s gotta give in this one.
5:40 p.m.: Boston College is teeming with talent, namely in its all-freshman first line. Forwards Ryan Leonard, Gabe Perreault and Will Smith are averaging about five points a game between them.
5:20 p.m.: Here’s a look at the forward lines and defensive pairings for Denver and Boston College ahead of tonight’s game.
Lines for the National Championship. #MFrozenFour pic.twitter.com/bqM61F8T9i
The NCAA Championship game between Denver and Boston College begins at 6 p.m. ET from Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.
All three Frozen Four games, including the championship, can be watched on ESPN2. Cable cutters can stream the game on ESPN+ or Fubo, which offers a free trial, in the United States. Canadian viewers can stream the game on TSN+.
Boston College is the favorite, according to BetMGM.
David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News.