The Denver defense has been the backbone of another successful hockey team at Magness Arena.

Pioneers blue liners Eric Pohlkamp and Boston Buckberger were both named to the NCHC’s all-conference teams Tuesday, with Pohlkamp landing on the first team and Buckberger on the league’s third team.

Pohlkamp, a junior, is tops among all defensemen in the NCAA in goals (17) and points (36) and filled the void left behind by Zeev Buium, now a rookie in the NHL after wrapping his DU career as a Hobey Baker Award finalist.

Buckberger, a fellow junior, has recorded eight goals and 18 assists for a total of 26 points, good for 10th among all defensemen nationally.

The two players have been nominated for this year’s Hobey Baker Award.

They weren’t the only DU players to receive all-conference honors. Defenseman Eric Jamieson was named to the NCHC’s all-freshman team on Monday with seven goals and nine assists.

The Pios play in the semifinals of the NCHC Frozen Faceoff Saturday against No. 3 seed Western Michigan. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. at Magness Arena.