CHICAGO — Jim Montgomery scored three consecutive third-period goals for a natural hat trick that lifted Maine to the 1993 national championship. The Black Bears’ senior captain was named Frozen Four MVP.

Twenty-four years later, Montgomery pleasantly watched one of his pupils nearly match his extraordinary feat on college hockey’s biggest stage. Behind the bench at the United Center, Coach Montgomery on Saturday witnessed sophomore wing Jarid Lukosevicius score three goals in the second period to lead the Denver Pioneers to their eighth national championship, and first since 2005.

In a No. 1 versus No. 2 national championship, the top-ranked University of Denver held on to defeat Minnesota Duluth 3-2 in a thrilling final and Lukosevicius was the easy choice for Frozen Four MVP.

“Incredible moment,” Montgomery said of winning the all-National Collegiate Hockey Conference final. “I did not know that was the first hat trick (since 1993) but I’m glad I’m part of both and glad we won the championship both nights.”

Lukosevicius entered the game as DU’s fifth-leading scorer with 13 goals in 42 games. He scored twice in 16 seconds Saturday and his hat trick unfolded in a span of 7:39 — third fastest in championship-game history — to give the Pioneers a 3-1 lead midway through the second period. Montgomery owns the record for quickest title-game hat trick, doing it in 4:35 in ’93 — the last time anyone scored three goals in this situation.

“That’s pretty ironic, Lukosevicius said.

“Thanks to my linemates Troy Terry and Dylan Gambrell,” Lukosevicius said of his big night. “I pretty much just stood in front of the net and got three lucky goals. ‘Gams’ and Troy did an incredible job and I wouldn’t have scored any of those goals without those guys.”

Denver’s #Skate4Eight slogan was established a year ago, shortly after North Dakota defeated the Pioneers en route to winning its eighth national title. Denver slid to third on the list, stuck on seven. Related Articles September 10, 2020 DU hockey nears return to ice with season format in limbo: “There’s a lot that’s still on the table”

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Now it’s eight, one behind Michigan’s record of nine, and the curve chart under Montgomery has become legend. The Pioneers (33-7-4) have advanced one step further every year under Montgomery, whose first DU team lost in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament to finish 20-16-6. The Pioneers were eliminated in the 2015 quarterfinals (finishing 24-14-2) and 2016 national semifinals (25-10-6).

“Ever since we lost last year in the Frozen Four to North Dakota, this is what we set out to do,” senior wing Evan Janssen said. “We made it reality.”

Lukosevicius scored at 4:44 and 5:00 of the second period. He redirected a wrist shot by freshman defenseman Michael Davies to make it 1-0 before capping a great play by Terry for a rebound goal. After Minnesota Duluth capitalized with a power-play goal on Denver’s first penalty at 7:16, the Pioneers regained the two-goal advantage with Lukosevicius’ wrist shot from between the circles.

Just like that. Just how Denver has being doing it all season. The Pioneers never feel threatened for long. They usually regain the momentum shortly after they lose it.

“I have no words. It’s unbelievable, something special,” senior center Matt Marcinew said. “I just love my teammates and so happy for the seniors and Monty.”

Early in the third period, DU junior defenseman Tariq Hammond was carted off the ice on a stretcher with a dislocated right ankle. Hammond, who had his leg pinned against the boards, is DU’s biggest and most physical defenseman, and his presence was missed as the Bulldogs dominated possession late in the game.

Goalie Tanner Jaillet made 16 of his 38 saves in the third period. The lone goal came at 14:39, when Riley Tufte scored to make it 3-2. But DU held on from there.

“When we lost Tariq it was an emotional hit to our group,” Montgomery said. “But after playing poorly for five minutes, we regrouped well. In the last four minutes, you knew that they were going to come hard. They’re a great team.”

Hammond celebrated with the team on the ice with crutches, still in uniform. He was scheduled to be further evaluated by doctors at the team hotel.

“I’m just proud of these guys. I just love them to death,” Hammond said while in tears. “I’m so happy right now. (The injury) doesn’t mean anything right now. I’m just so happy. I love this team, love this program so much.”

DU outshot UMD 8-0 to begin the game but the Bulldogs finished with a 40-28 shots advantage.

“Our guys were awesome in the third, and we gave ourselves a chance to get back in the game,” UMD coach Scott Sandelin said. “We just came up one goal short.”