LOVELAND — Here we go again. Could the Loveland Regional have ever played out any differently?

Of course, it’s Denver and Western Michigan left standing and set to battle it out once again in the postseason.

Last year, the two met in what was probably the de facto national championship game in the Frozen Four semifinals. This year, they’ll meet on Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN2 at Blue Arena in a regional final that should probably be a game at next month’s Frozen Four in Las Vegas.

“I can’t wait,” Pioneers junior forward Sam Harris said. “They ended our season last year. It’s great to play them again. It’s kinda similar to last year. We’re all pumped and ready to go.”

That’s right. The Pioneers haven’t forgotten about what happened in St. Louis last season when the Broncos won a double-overtime thriller to advance to the national title game.

Even though DU currently has the last laugh after beating WMU in the semifinals of the NCHC Frozen Faceoff earlier this month at Magness Arena, there’s nothing like the NCAA Tournament. There really isn’t much left to say about these two teams.

They are probably two of the four best teams in the country, given how well each has played for an extended period of time, but only one can win Sunday and book a trip to Las Vegas. 

After a 5-0 dismantling of Cornell on Friday evening, the Pios are on a 14-game unbeaten run and a 10-game winning streak that dates back to late January, while the Broncos have just two regulation losses since the calendar turned to 2026, including a 3-1 win over Minnesota State earlier Friday.

They’re the two most recent national champions and they both boast a good mix of veterans and impact youngsters who are ready for what will be the 14th meeting between the two programs in the last three seasons.

The Pios and Broncos are both tied for eighth in the country in goals per game and both rank in the top seven nationally in goals allowed per game. DU might be slightly deeper and healthier right now, but that might not matter too much given how good both goalies — standout Pios freshman Johnny Hicks and WMU sophomore Hampton Slukynsky — are playing right now.

“Ultimately, it’s gonna come down to execution and discipline,” DU coach David Carle said. “All of our games have been tight. We played them six times a year ago, two overtime games. An overtime game this year. Both teams are really clicking on all cylinders. Hard to generate (offense) against, hard to defend, special teams are excellent. It’s gonna be another epic battle, for sure.”

No one will be surprised, regardless of who wins. 

Overtime? Yeah, there’s a good chance that’s required. 

But games like this are why the NCHC has owned the last decade or so in college hockey and why one of these teams will guarantee the conference a spot in Las Vegas. 

“The NCHC is a great league,” DU junior forward and Denver native Kieran Cebrian said. “That’s why lots of us come here. So, getting to play them six times this year is a privilege. We’re excited for it.” 

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The matchup

No. 2 Denver vs. No. 1 Western Michigan

What: NCAA Tournament Loveland regional final

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

Where: Blue Arena

TV: ESPN2

Broadcast team: John Buccigross (play-by-play) and Colby Cohen (color analyst)

All-time series: DU leads 30-18-2

NCAA Tournament history: Tied 1-1 … WMU won last meeting 3-2 (2-OT) in 2025 Frozen Four

DU players to watch: F Rieger Lorenz (16 goals, 18 assists, 34 points); F Sam Harris (14 goals, 19 assists, 33 points); F James Reeder (10 goals, 22 assists, 32 points); D Eric Pohlkamp (17 goals, 20 assists, 37 points); D Boston Buckberger (10 goals, 18 assists, 28 points); G Johnny Hicks (13-0-1 record, 1.07 goals against average, .960 save percentage)

WMU players to watch: F Grant Slukynsky (10 goals, 30 assists, 40 points); F Liam Valente (20 goals, 15 assists, 35 points); F William Whitelaw (19 goals, 15 assists, 34 points); F Owen Michaels (13 goals, 13 assists, 26 points); D Samuel Sjolund (6 goals, 22 assists, 28 points); G Hampton Slukynsky (27-10-1 record, 2.22 goals against average, .917 save percentage)