There would be nothing sweeter for Denver hockey than to end the season of its biggest rival, Colorado College, and, as David Carle put it, send the Tigers to the golf course.

After the Pioneers swept CC last weekend to keep the Gold Pan trophy for another year, the reward for the defending champions is a best-of-three series against the Tigers in the opening round of the NCHC Tournament. Game 1 is Friday at 7 p.m. (NCHC.tv).

Part two promises fireworks.

“Sweeps are really hard to come by,” Carle said. “We’re trying to end their season. The level of urgency that they’re going to have goes up to another level from what it was last weekend. Us developing that killer instinct and that level of determination to try and put them away and send them home and put them on the golf course is our real challenge as a group in trying to match that. It’s a learned habit.

“A lot of guys have done it in the room, but this is a new team, new group and that’s the journey we’re on now.”

By winning both games last weekend, DU earned the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament and, in turn, gave their record-setting senior class at least two more home games at Magness Arena. They hope it’s only two.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to have a very accomplished career here,” senior forward Jack Devine told The Denver Gazette. “It’s a place I cherish a lot. I’m happy that we did what we needed to last weekend so I can come back here and play again. I don’t know if it’ll hit me until after the game Saturday, but I’m just gonna treat it like another two games and hopefully find success.”

Devine and fellow seniors Connor Caponi, Matt Davis and Carter King know their Pios legacy is intact, evidenced by the 2022 and 2024 national championship banners. They could become the first DU players to be a part of three title teams.

“Their legacy is, in many ways, already cemented in what they’ve been able to accomplish here, but they’re all the type of people that want to continue to add to that and for our guys to play so well and get them that opportunity to play another two or three games here at Magness Arena, I know means the world to them,” Carle said. “It’s a great place to play. They’ve all had unbelievable careers collectively, but also individually the accolades they continue to pile up as a group is really impressive. Really proud of them.”

Devine recently became the highest-scoring Pios player in the modern era. He’s a part of the illustrious 50-100-150 club with over 50 career goals, 100 career assists and 150 career points. He’s the 10th DU player to reach the latter mark and the first since 1990.

Caponi holds the program record for most games played, while Davis became a cult hero with his performance in last year’s Frozen Four. King this season completed an unlikely rise from barely recruited player to team captain.

“It’s awesome to see those games get some of the individual accolades,” Devine said. “They all deserve it. It’s obvious we don’t have all the guys (from) our class. A lot of the guys signed early (in the NHL), but we wouldn’t be in the position we are without those guys that left.”

The path to an 11th national title begins Friday.

“My goal set out here when I came wasn’t anything personal. It was all about team success. I’m fortunate enough to win two Penrose (Cups), two NCHC championships, a couple national championships,” Devine said. “To cap it off with a third would be awesome. We have five freshmen, two transfers and to do it with that new group of guys would be special. I know how badly they want to do it.”