UNLV Hockey made history by capturing its first-ever American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I National Championship, marking a monumental achievement since the program's inception in 2005.
The Skatin’ Rebels invite fans to join their championship celebration at Mackenzie River inside City National Arena on Saturday, March 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The team has called the arena home since moving to ACHA Division I in 2017.
The event is free, and fans can relive excitement of the season, purchase exclusive National Championship merchandise, and take photos with the Murdoch Cup. Players and staff will also be on hand for autographs and photos.
The national championship game was a rematch with the Adrian College Bulldogs. UNLV lost to the Bulldogs 3-0 in last year's title matchup. This year, they beat the defending champions 7-3.
“The tournament showed that we are a resilient bunch that thrived when the pressure was highest,” associate head coach Nick Robone said. “We knew going into nationals that we had a group that could get the job done, and there was one team we really wanted to play — and that was Adrian.
“Their goalie played a great game last year, and they were able to come out on top. I believe the script was flipped this year with [goaltender] Jeremy Forman having an incredible game while our offense really shined.”
A Season to Remember
UNLV’s championship run was nothing short of spectacular. The team’s defining moment came in a 7-6 shootout victory over the defending NCAA Division I National Champions, the University of Denver, in what will go down as one of the biggest upsets in the history of college hockey. Captain Mattias Dal Monte sealed that victory in a dramatic storybook finish, igniting the Rebels' path to glory.
The team also secured its first-ever WCHL Conference Championship, adding another prestigious trophy to the collection. With the Murdoch Cup and WCHL trophy in hand, the Skatin’ Rebels brought two titles back to Las Vegas, making this season truly unforgettable.
“I don’t think you could have scripted this season any better,” Robone said. “We had four goals going into the year: one being to win an NCAA Division I game, winning a conference title, being in the top four going into nationals, and lastly winning a national championship. We were able to hit all four of those goals with this tremendous group of student-athletes.”
National Championship Merchandise
Fans looking to commemorate this historic season can purchase exclusive national championship merchandise online at the Rebel Hockey Store.
More Celebrations to Come
UNLV students, stay tuned for an upcoming on-campus celebration, where the team will bring the championship festivities to the heart of Rebel Nation. Details will be announced soon.
