Congratulations to the UNLV Running Rebels mens hockey team. On 12/28/2024 they defeated via shootout reigning NCAA D1 mens hockey champion the University of Denver 7-6. Here is the box score- Men’s Ice Hockey vs UNLV on 12/28/2024 – Box Score – University of Denver Athletics
UNLV got off to a strong 1st period start with 3 goals that put Denver on the ropes early. They traded chances throughout the 2nd and 3rd period and were really helped by goaltender Jeremy Forman’s 52 saves in nets for the Rebels.
The stalemate score at the end of regulation went to OT, followed by a shootout that UNLV ended on Matthias Dal Monte’s breakaway tally. Below is an image of UNLV’s 6th goal of the game, scored by former New England Wolves EHL forward Heath Mensch.
A lot has been written about this contest and what it means in terms of the future of college hockey and the competitive balance between ACHA and NCAA hockey. Gone are the days where ACHA hockey is looked upon as “Club” or “Intramural” hockey. These are competitive programs with growing reputations. 8 of the players on UNLV’s roster are Canadian. All have Jr hockey experience with many players having come from the EHL, USPHL Premier, CCHL, NCAA DIII transfers and other leagues. In fact, the goaltender mentioned earlier, Jeremy Forman, is a 5th year transfer from UNH, where he played 4 years of NCAA D1 hockey in the Hockey East conference.
Junior Hockey is still the pathway to college hockey and it is getting increasingly much more competitive for roster spots. With the Transfer portal, NIL money, and opportunities for a 5th year, players hold much more of the leverage than previous decades. Many ACHA programs exist in extremely desirable and elite Academic institutions, and players will look to these schools for their collegiate hockey experience, because of what it means for the totality of their college careers.
For more info on UNLV hockey, click here- University of Nevada-Las Vegas – University of Nevada-Las Vegas Rebels – Men’s Ice Hockey Team
BY Andrew Trimble
Andrew is the Co- Owner and General Manager for the New England Wolves in the Eastern Hockey League- www.ne-wolveshockey.com
To Purchase Andrew’s new book, The Hockey Planner, click here- The Hockey Planner: A Year by Year Plan to Assist You on Your Hockey Coaching Journey: From Learn to Play to Junior Hockey: Trimble, Andrew: 9781963743395: Amazon.com: Books
