2004 Frozen Four The 2004 Frozen Four was held April 8 - 10 , 2004 , in Boston , Massachusetts at the FleetCenter . The participants were : Minnesota - Duluth was in its first Frozen Four since 1985 , and Denver was playing in its first Frozen Four since 1986 . Meanwhile , Maine was competing in its fourth Frozen Four in six years , and Boston College was returning for the first time since their 2001 national title . In an exciting fashion , the Denver Pioneers would win their sixth national title 1 - 0 over Maine . Semifinals . The four regional champions played on April 8th in the semifinal round of the NCAA Tournament . Minnesota - Duluth jumped out to a 2 - 0 lead after the first period and led 3 - 1 after two , powered by two goals from senior forward Junior Lessard . Lessard - who would go on to win the Hobey Baker Award the next day - nearly completed the hat trick late in the second period , but a save by Adam Berkhoel kept Denver in the game . The Pioneers responded with three goals in the first 8 : 25 of the third period to take the lead , and ultimately sealed the game with an empty net goal in the waning moments . The Pioneers got a goal - the game winner - and two assists from Lukas Dora , who played his final game in a Denver uniform , as he would be suspended from the NCAA Championship game for a violation of team rules . The nightcap saw two teams who were very familiar with the FleetCenter play for the last spot in the title game . Maine had been there three weeks earlier , winning the Hockey East championship , but Boston College had the hometown crowd behind them . All three goals in the game would be scored on the extreme ends of the periods , with Jon Jankus striking for Maine late in the first , Ryan Shannon tallying for the Eagles early in the second , and Dustin Penner netting the game winner for the Black Bears early in the third , sending Maine to their second NCAA title game in three years . Jimmy Howard backstopped the Black Bears in net , making 40 saves to propel the team into the final . NCAA Championship Game . On April 10 , the semifinal winners , Denver and Maine , met in the NCAA Championship Game . 18 , 597 were on hand to witness a closely - played , largely defensive game that turned into an all - out melee at the end . Derek Damon appeared to have drawn first blood early on the power play , but video replay showed a skate in the crease for Maine , and the goal was disallowed . Denver ' s Gabe Gauthier scored what proved to be the game ' s lone goal at 12 : 26 in the first period , but perhaps the most memorable moment of the game were the last two minutes , where Denver penalties nearly changed the face of the game . With 2 : 09 remaining , Matt Laatsch was called for hooking , and on the ensuing penalty kill , Gauthier would be called for delay of game for throwing the puck out of the Maine attacking zone . With the two man advantage , Maine pulled goaltender Jimmy Howard , creating a 6 - on - 3 shooting gallery for a minute and 25 seconds . Denver stood its ground , relying on several saves by senior goaltender Adam Berkhoel and a shot off the post to fend off the Maine barrage and keep the game scoreless , sealing the Pioneers ' sixth national title , their first in 34 years . Berkhoel was named the tournament ' s Most Outstanding Player . The game was the lowest scoring championship in NCAA history , breaking the previous record of three set in 1985 . All - Tournament Team . Most Outstanding Player : G Adam Berkhoel , Denver