Denver Pioneers beat Michigan in double overtime to reach Frozen Four final
Kent Anderson scored a dramatic double-overtime winner as the Denver Pioneers defeated the Michigan Wolverines 4-3 in Las Vegas on Thursday to reach the Frozen Four final.
The match-winner fired home from the slot to secure a hard-fought victory for his team.
His crucial strike ensured David Carle’s side kept their hopes alive of securing a third national title in five years.
Freshman goaltender Johnny Hicks proved instrumental to the historic victory, producing a career-high 49 saves.
Hicks heroics deny Wolverines
Michigan heavily outshot their opponents 52-26 but ultimately failed to capitalise on their offensive dominance.
Hicks, who leads the nation with a staggering 1.12 goals-against average, remained in the game despite absorbing a heavy collision early in the third period.
“He’s a battler, he’s unfazed — he was our best player tonight.”
Those were the words of Carle, who praised his resolute defensive unit following the gruelling encounter.
Late drama forces overtime
The Wolverines appeared destined for their first championship appearance since 2011 after Jayden Perron scored on the power play with just under nine minutes remaining.
However, Clarke Caswell sensationally redirected a Garrett Brown shot from the goal line with 2:46 left on the clock to save Denver’s season.
Kyle Chyzowski and Cale Ashcroft also found the net for the record-chasing Pioneers during regulation time.
For the defeated Michigan squad, Josh Eernisse and T.J. Hughes joined Perron on the scoresheet.
Wisconsin await in the final
Denver will now face Wisconsin in Saturday’s championship game, looking to extend their all-time record to 11 national titles.
The Badgers secured their spot with a narrow 2-1 victory over North Dakota in Thursday’s other closely contested semifinal.
Simon Tassy and Ryan Botterill scored 27 seconds apart in the opening period to send Wisconsin to their first Frozen Four final since 2010.
“At this time of the season, winning is all that matters. It doesn’t have to be a Mona Lisa.”
Wisconsin head coach Mike Hastings acknowledged the gritty nature of their triumph.
His resilient squad will now seek their seventh overall championship, with their most recent collegiate triumph arriving exactly two decades ago.
