Looking for another reason behind the University of Denver hockey team’s incredible second-half run?

The Pioneers have benefited from excellent health this season.

Before Saturday’s NCHC third-place game in which five regulars (Grant Arnold, Will Butcher, Gabe Levin, Quentin Shore and Matt VanVoorhis) were rested, there were seven lineup stalwarts who had played in each of the Pioneers’ first 37 games. In addition to Shore, they are – forwards Dylan Gambrell, Danton Heinen, Matt Marcinew, Evan Janssen, Troy Terry and defenseman Nolan Zajac.

Four more regulars had missed just one game – forwards Trevor Moore (illness) and  Levin (LSAT preparation) and defensemen Butcher (suspension) and Tariq Hammond (injury).

Three more have missed just two games – defensemen Adam Plant (injury) and Blake Hillman, and Arnold (arcane NCAA suspension related to how many games he played in junior past a certain age). Plant and Arnold missed the first two games.

That’s 14 of 18 skaters who  missed two or fewer games in the first 37, and just three of those have been due to injury or illness.

The rest of the regulars generally have missed time due to coaches’ decisions though VanVoorhis was out a couple of games because of a concussion he sustained against Colorado College in November.

It’s also worth noting that neither Tanner Jaillet nor Evan Cowley has missed more than a few periods due to injury or illness, giving coach Jim Montgomery his choice of net minders.

Add it up, and it offers a contributing factor for the Pioneers’ 16-2-4 mark since Jan. 1.