Denver has done the same thing every year they've been in the third place game.
Pros:
-Zero chance of top guys getting hurt before real season starts next weekend, and you don't want your best players having runs taken at them in a meaningless hockey game.
Cons:
Starting a bit of a losing skid going into the NCAA's, giving your players the mentality that not every game they lace em up for your university is of the utmost importance.
Sucks for fans who bought tickets too, because you could see a really good hockey game between two top five teams. Instead one team will go through the motions. Then again, how many Denver fans are actually there?