For the ninth time, the Denver University Pioneers are the champions of menSA国际影视传媒檚 college hockey in the U.S.
For the first time, Jack Works is a champion at the college level and heSA国际影视传媒檚 riding the high.
Works and the Pioneers captured the NCAA MenSA国际影视传媒檚 Hockey Championship in Boston on April 9 courtesy of a 5-1 win over Minnesota State. The Pioneers scored all five of their goals in the third period after going down early in the first period, 1-0.
Works said the first period wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 the best his team has ever played but it got better as the game went on.
SA国际影视传媒淭hey (Minnesota State) were playing really well and they were getting more of the better shots and chances,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e knew if we could get one by (Minnesota StateSA国际影视传媒檚 goaltender), weSA国际影视传媒檇 get going. WeSA国际影视传媒檝e done that all year and we were confident we would get a quick one.SA国际影视传媒�
Denver was one of four teams in the semifinal known as the Frozen Four. They won the West Regional in Loveland, Colorado earlier this month to advance to Boston and took on the University of Michigan in the semifinal, which they won by a score of 3-2 in sudden-death overtime.
The final score in the title contest was a bit inflated as Denver scored two empty-net goals after Minnesota State pulled its goaltender to try and find the equalizers but Works said it couldSA国际影视传媒檝e been another close one.
SA国际影视传媒淚t really couldSA国际影视传媒檝e been 2-1 or even 1-0 for them, it was that close,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e just played an awesome third period and it was unbelievable to be a part of the celebration.SA国际影视传媒�
The final horn saw the Pioneers charge off the bench and mob goaltender Magnus Crona and Works said it was one of the greatest moments of his life.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 the most fun ISA国际影视传媒檝e ever had,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 missed a lot of time with injuries and illness this season and itSA国际影视传媒檚 been a hard year for me but winning it all makes everything worth it.SA国际影视传媒�
Works has come a long way from his Yk Minor Hockey Association days, starting in the initiation division with the Air Tindi Otters, eventually making his way to the Edge School in Calgary and on to the Alberta Junior Hockey LeagueSA国际影视传媒檚 Okotoks Oilers, where he would set team records in goals and points in a season by an Oilers player.
He said his younger days were something he thought about during the celebration.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 funny because I thought back to having three ice times a week as a little kid at the Multiplex,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 been so many people who have helped me get to this point and I was thinking about all of them that night.SA国际影视传媒�
As he expected, his parents, Greg and Kathy, made the trip into Boston and Greg Works said he couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be prouder of what his son has achieved.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 pretty cool that he is, and will always be, part of an NCAA national championship team,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淗eSA国际影视传媒檚 come along way from playing with the Air Tindi Otters.SA国际影视传媒�
The team arrived back in Denver on Sunday and were set to have a celebratory rally at the Magness Arena, the teamSA国际影视传媒檚 home rink, on Tuesday night.
Works said the entire school seems to be in a good mood following the win.
SA国际影视传媒淲e got a warm welcome when we got back and everyone was just so happy,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e heard people were watching the game outside on a big screen and everyone on campus was celebrating. Going to the rink the celebrate it (was) a lot of fun.SA国际影视传媒�
And so his season is done and Works will take some time to relax and soak it all in but he said the work for next year, his sophomore season, isnSA国际影视传媒檛 far from beginning.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e had the same team the last two years and some of the guys will be graduating,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 just going to enjoy the time with the guys and think about next season in a few days.SA国际影视传媒�
