Les Lancaster bet on Denver’s hockey program, and on himself, last summer.

Right now, that’s a very solid wager.

“After (NCAA quarterfinal victory over American International), my roommate Michael Davies and I  talked – I opened up to him about it,” Lancaster said. “At this time last year when I decided to come to Denver all I wanted to do was get to Buffalo to the Frozen Four. It was an absolute dream of mine, and here we are, it’s upon us.”

The Pioneers are back in Frozen Four for the third time in four years as the West Regional’s champion from a No. 2 seed, preparing to play a resurgent UMass program on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. MDT (on ESPN2).

Lancaster, who graduated after three years at Mercyhurst, came to Denver late last summer to pursue a master’s degree in International Security and a shot at a national title in his final season of NCAA eligibility.

The senior defenseman added a wealth of NCAA experience to a blue line group that needed it. Last spring, Denver graduated stalwart seniors Tariq Hammond and Adam Plant and lost a third key member (junior Blake Hillman) early to pro hockey. The Pioneers had a solid amount of talent, but much of it was a bit green.

“Bringing in Les helped a lot,” said Davies, a junior who is the next most senior member on the blue line. “He’s brought a lot of experience. He’d played over 100 college games. It’s huge to have that experience with such a young group. And he’s brought a lot of skill back there – he’s a fast, good-skating defenseman who can join the rush.”

Lancaster hasn’t put up the types of numbers he did during his first three NCAA seasons at Mercyhurst – he has 10 points after seasons of 29, 26 and 26. But he’s been an every-situation player who has scored some big goals for the Pioneers, none more massive than one against Ohio State to break a 0-0 deadlock late in the second period of DU’s NCAA Tournament opener on March 30.

In fact, of the senior’s five goals, three have been first goals and two have been game-winners.

However it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the swift skater. In fact, he said his break-in period wearing Crimson and Gold was an eye-opener.

“(The atmosphere) is a big shock, and I think that’s why I had a tough time adjusting at first,” Lancaster said. “Here it’s a full-time job, and it’s all serious. Guys want to work, they want to improve their game every single day, and if you’re not ready for that you’re going to get left behind … mentally and physically.”

Some of that is to be expected, said Dallas Ferguson, who runs the Pioneers’ defense and himself underwent a transition this season, back to being an assistant coach after years of being the top man at both a D-I school and for a major junior Western Hockey League franchise.

“He’s a first-half, second-half situation,” Ferguson said. “There’s always a learning curve when you change to a different team or a different program. I think there was a lot of that going on for him early on. He was a key member of our D core, but he was trying to navigate his way through the day-to-day challenges of being on a top Division I hockey program.

“In the second half, he’s really stabilized his game. There’s been some predictability in Les’ game, and I don’t think he’s come in to a new group and tried to be the guy. I think he’s tried to come in and be a part of it and pick and chose where he can add value to the leadership.”

Another aspect to Lancaster’s improved play in the second half has been reuniting with Davies after moving through a couple of D partners in the third pairing. The interpersonal dynamic between Davies, whose 17 points have tied his career best, and Lancaster can’t be overstated.

“Dave and I have a good relationship,” Lancaster said. “We communicate a lot. Even at home we’re always talking to one another. I think that’s something that really translates onto the ice. We’re very comfortable.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt or questioning. And even if we do make a mistake, we’ll come right back to the bench and say, ‘Oh that’s my bad, or I should have been doing this.’ We’re very good at talking to one another. We feel completely comfortable.”

Of course, finding a comfort zone is different than growing comfortable, and Lancaster said he’s on guard against the latter happening, especially with the biggest weekend of his hockey career on deck.

The seeds for it were planted when he doubled down on his course load last year in order to graduate early from Mercyhurst. While he enjoyed his time with the Lakers, his move West brought him closer to a big trip to the East, to Buffalo, New York.

“It’s pretty crazy to think about a year later, but here we are, it’s an absolute dream come true,” Lancaster said. “At the same time I can’t be satisfied with just getting there now.”

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