Where good news shines

The Denver Pioneers will take a top-five ranking into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game at Ball Arena.

When No. 4 Denver hosts Minnesota at 7 p.m. Saturday, it will mark the second regular-season game for the Pioneers at Ball Arena. Denver and Minnesota were old rivals in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and haven’t played each other since 2013.

The Gophers last played in Denver in 2012. Denver and Minnesota share storied histories, combining for 15 national titles and 43 Frozen Four berths.

The Pios (9-4-1) are coming off a series split at Arizona State. The Gophers (6-9-1) split a series against No. 5 Penn State.

(“Colorado Sunshine” celebrates the good news in sports. Suggestions are encouraged through sports editor Paul Klee at [email protected].)