Chicago Blackhawks prospect Blake Hillman and Denver will play for a national championship against Minnesota-Duluth on Saturday at United Center in Chicago.
Hillman, a 2016 sixth-rounder, is scoreless in three postseason games for the Pioneers. The sophomore defenseman had one goal and six assists in 39 regular-season games.
Denver, the top overall seed, earned its spot in the title game with a 6-1 rout of Notre Dame on Thursday in the Frozen Four semifinals. The Pioneers will be playing for its eighth national title, which would tie rival North Dakota for second all time only behind Michigan (nine).
The second-ranked Bulldogs advanced to the title game after Alex Iafallo scored with 26.6 seconds remaining for a 2-1 victory over Harvard in the first semifinal game Thursday. It’s the third championship game for the Bulldogs and their first since the 2011 team brought home the program’s lone title with a 3-2 overtime win over Michigan in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Two years ago, the Hawks raised the Stanley Cup for the first time 1934 in Chicago. And Saturday the NCAA national championship trophy will won for the first time in the Windy City.
Saturday, April 8 (Championship)
NCAA tournament final: No. 1 Denver vs. No. 2 Minnesota-Duluth
When/How to watch: 7 p.m., ESPN