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Denver vs. Alaska Anchorage: 2 huge games open title defense

Dustin Judge
Denver Pioneers Alaska Anchorage series is played at Sullivan Arena, shown here during a 2011 hockey game

Denver vs. Alaska Anchorage opens the 2026-27 college hockey season this weekend, and the defending national champion Pioneers, ranked No. 1, are on the road for it. The teams play Friday, Oct. 2, and Saturday, Oct. 3, at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage.

Denver vs. Alaska Anchorage: game information

  • Game 1: Friday, Oct. 2, 9 p.m. MT (11 p.m. ET)
  • Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m. MT
  • Venue: Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska

Times are from Denver’s 2026-27 schedule. Neither game counts in the NCHC standings; Denver’s 24-game conference slate begins Oct. 30-31 against Omaha.

Denver’s title defense begins

Denver won its 11th national title in April, beating Wisconsin 2-1 in the championship game after a 4-3 double-overtime win over Michigan in the semifinals, according to the school. The weekend is the third time in five years that the Pioneers have opened their season in Anchorage.

The opener is also an early measuring stick. After this trip, Denver returns home to face Michigan on Oct. 16-17, and its nonconference schedule includes Boston College, North Dakota and Arizona State, which has been in the news off the ice.

Alaska Anchorage brings a young roster

The Seawolves are hosting the nation’s top-ranked team before traveling to face No. 2 Michigan. Alaska Anchorage has 11 freshmen on its roster, the second-most in the country, and went 10-for-10 on the penalty kill in exhibitions, according to the school’s preview. It tied Mount Royal 3-3 and beat Mary 7-1 in those exhibition games.

Denver leads the all-time series 51-17-7, including a 23-8-5 edge at Sullivan Arena. The teams split last season: Alaska Anchorage won the first game 4-3, and Denver took the second 6-0.

What to watch

Denver vs. Alaska Anchorage pits a champion against a young group that already beat the Pioneers once last season, so a one-goal game is not out of the question. Season openers are rarely clean, and special teams could decide the weekend. For another look at early-season hockey, see how Quinnipiac opened its season at No. 7 after a painful exit.

Denver vs. Alaska Anchorage sources: Alaska Anchorage Athletics, University of Denver Athletics.

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.