Despite losing many players from the dual national title teams due to graduations Denver did n't lose much footing and finished second in the WCHA but lost to new entry Wisconsin in the conference tournament . The next season , Denver finished second for the third straight year and were able to win another league co-championship and receive the top western seed . The Pioneers had to settle for a third place NCAA finish after losing only their second semifinal game in nine opportunities . The next season , Denver won both conference titles for the fifth time in their history but were stunned by a 2 – 7 loss to Cornell in the semifinal , the team 's worst loss to a college team in over six years . As if their recent tournament collapses needed a concrete symbol , the DU Arena roof failed in 1972 and forced the team to play most of their remaining home games at the Denver Coliseum . While the Pioneers were able to overcome that difficulty and win the WCHA yet again and finish as the NCAA runner-up it was a battle off the ice that would eventually cost them dearly
conference tournament
1970 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament
Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey