Jarid Lukosevicius’ hat trick ended up being the decisive factor as Denver won the 2017 NCAA national championship game against Minnesota-Duluth on Saturday.
Denver won 3-2, clinging to its lead in the third period.
With this win, the Pioneers are eight-time national champions, tying North Dakota for the second-highest total. (Michigan owns the most with nine.)
In case you’re wondering, Lukosevicius is a 22-year-old undrafted forward who scored 13 goals and 29 points in 42 games for Denver this season. All three of his goals came in the second period tonight.
WE'VE GOT A HAT TRICK!!!
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 9, 2017
Jarid Lukosevicius is living the dream right now... Denver now up 3-1 in the 2nd! #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/I9PEkBDdoD
His first two tallies came in a 16-second flurry.
Lukosevicius.... AGAIN!!!!!!!
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 9, 2017
2 goals. 16 seconds. Troy Terry on the setup this time... 2-0 Denver in the 2nd! #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/Tl3YsxwSby