The Pioneers played up and down though the first half of their season but did settle on a few facts; Adam Berkhoel was their starting goalie and without him they didn't have much of a chance.

Berkhoel was key for the team's chances and while he turned in several sterling performances, the senior netminder would go through bad stretches during the season.

After a week off at the beginning of February, the Pioneers appeared to steady themselves and didn't drop another game for the remainder of the regular season.

With their postseason position essentially guaranteed, Denver began the conference tournament against long-time rival Colorado College at home.

team captain Ryan Caldwell opened the scoring with a short-handed marker in the first and then played a strong defensive game to hold off the RedHawks.

Minnesota–Duluth scored twice in the first five minutes of the game and, after Denver gave Duluth four additional power play opportunities, it appeared that the Bulldogs were going to roll over the Pioneers.

Unfortunately, a 6th power play opportunity for Minnesota–Duluth saw them regain their 2-goal edge and Denver needed a mammoth effort in the final frame if they wanted their season to continue.

The defense then turned in a masterful performance to limit the Bulldogs' scoring opportunities and the Pioneers bled the clock for the final 11 minutes.

The opposition was led by goaltender Jimmy Howard, who had set numerous NCAA records that season, including save percentage and goals against average.

Seven minutes later, while on a power play of their own, James found Gauthier alone in the slot and the senior center scored the first official goal of the game.

With just over 2 minutes left on the clock, Matt Laatsch was called for hooking and sent Maine to the power play for the 6th time that night.

On one of the Black Bears' zone entries, Gabe Gauthier snagged the puck out of the air and tossed it back down the ice.

Now Denver found itself having to defend a 3-on-5 disadvantage for the final 90 seconds of the game, a situation made all the more precarious when Maine pulled their goaltender to give them twice as many skaters as the Pioneers.