Honestly, trying to keep up with the university of denver hockey schedule lately feels like trying to track a puck through a chaotic goal-mouth scramble. If you’ve looked at the standings recently, you know the Pioneers are in a weird spot. As of mid-January 2026, the Pios are sitting at 12-9-2. For a program that basically treats 30-win seasons like a birthright, this "human" stretch has some fans checking their blood pressure.
But here is the thing: the back half of this schedule is where the real drama lives.
We just watched a rough weekend at Magness Arena where DU dropped two straight to Western Michigan. It wasn't pretty. Losing 4-1 and 6-2 on home ice isn't exactly the "Pioneer Way." But if you’re looking at the upcoming dates, there is no time to sulk. The NCHC is a meat grinder, and the road to the Frozen Four in Las Vegas this April is getting narrow.
The Remaining 2026 Gauntlet: Dates You Need to Circle
If you're planning your weekends, forget about relaxation. The Pioneers are about to hit a stretch that will either solidify their tournament seeding or leave them sweating on Selection Sunday.
The biggest weekend on the immediate horizon is the massive trip to Grand Forks. Denver heads to Ralph Engelstad Arena to face North Dakota on January 16 and 17. If you've ever been to "The Ralph," you know it’s basically the loudest place on earth.
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Here is what the rest of the regular season looks like:
- Jan. 23-24: Home vs. St. Cloud State. This is a revenge set. DU took a split in St. Cloud back in December, and they need these points to keep pace in the NCHC.
- Jan. 30-31: Home vs. Minnesota Duluth. The Bulldogs are always a physical nightmare. Friday night is at 7 p.m. MT, and Saturday is at 6 p.m. MT.
- Feb. 6-7: The Gold Pan series. This is the big one. Friday night is down in Colorado Springs at Ed Robson Arena, then everyone hauls it back up I-25 for the Saturday night finale at Magness.
- Feb. 13-14: Road trip to Omaha. It’s Valentine’s Day weekend, so hopefully, the Pios show some love to the win column.
- Feb. 27-28: Season finale vs. Arizona State. The Sun Devils are the new kids on the block in the conference, and they’ve been surprisingly tough.
Why the Schedule Looks "Off" This Year
You might have noticed something weird if you’ve been following the university of denver hockey schedule since October. Usually, DU dominates the non-conference. This year? They had that wild 7-3 win over Boston College, which was incredible, but then they turned around and lost 1-0 to Northeastern the very next night.
They also lost a heartbreaker in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game at Ball Arena, falling 6-5 in overtime to Minnesota. That game was a rollercoaster. It felt like a playoff game in November, but those "quality losses" don't help much when you're trying to win a Penrose Cup.
Coach David Carle has been vocal about the team's consistency. One night they look like the best team in the country, and the next, they're giving up six goals at home. It’s frustrating.
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Watching the Pios: TV and Streaming Info
If you aren't one of the lucky ones with season tickets at Magness, you're basically at the mercy of the broadcast gods.
Altitude TV is still the home for most local broadcasts. They've got several more games scheduled for this season, including the upcoming Minnesota Duluth series. For everything else, you’re looking at NCHC.tv. It's a subscription service, but honestly, if you're a die-hard, it’s the only way to catch the road games in places like Grand Forks or Omaha.
The Road to Vegas: Postseason Realities
Let’s talk about March because it’s coming fast. The NCHC changed things up this year. For the first time, the entire conference tournament is staying on campus sites.
The NCHC Quarterfinals happen March 6-8. If Denver finishes in the top four of the conference, they’ll host a best-of-three series at Magness. If they slide? They’re traveling. Given how they've played on the road lately (the sweep of Western Michigan in Kalamazoo was a highlight), maybe traveling isn't the worst thing? No, that’s crazy. You always want home ice.
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The NCAA Regionals are also very relevant for Denver fans this year. The West Regional is being held at the Blue Arena in Loveland from March 26-29. If DU can get their act together and secure a high enough seed, they won't even have to leave the state to make a run at the Frozen Four.
How to Use This Info Right Now
If you're looking to buy tickets, do it yesterday. The Colorado College game on February 7 is already showing limited availability. Most tickets are hovering around the $32 mark for the cheaper seats, but expect that to spike for the rivalry games.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the standings daily: The NCHC is so tight right now that one win can jump you three spots.
- Update your calendar for Jan 16-17: The North Dakota games are "must-watch" TV.
- Monitor the PairWise: This is the math that determines who gets into the NCAA tournament. DU is currently hovering in that "safe but not comfortable" zone.
The season isn't over. Far from it. But the university of denver hockey schedule for the next six weeks is basically a gauntlet of top-20 opponents. It’s going to be a wild ride to the finish.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the official Denver Pioneers site for any last-minute time changes, as the NCHC sometimes flexes games for national television late in the season.