Carter Savoie scored the game-winning goal in overtime as Denver defeated Michigan to advance to the Frozen Four finals. (1:03)
Denver defeated Michigan in overtime in the men's Frozen Four semifinals on Thursday to advance to the ice hockey national championship game.
Carter Savoie scored the winning goal in the first overtime for the Pioneers.
The winner of the other semifinal will face the Pioneers. It is the first championship game appearance for Denver since it won the title.
The Denver men's hockey team is trying to win its ninth men's hockey championship in program history, which would tie Michigan for the most in NCAA Division I history.
The overtime winner was a result of a sloppy play by Michigan. The puck was secured before the transition to offense. The top-seeded Wolverines were on the wrong end of a goal when Bobby Brink's pass from the right corner was converted by Savoie at the front of the net.
The game between the two teams was not expected to be offensive. It was an intense battle between two teams that were both deep and talented.
The Broncos took a lead with 8:38 left in the first period on a goal by Stapley, his 17th of the season. The puck was shot from the point. The goalie diverted the shot to the slot. Stapley tucked it into the open net for the Denver lead after Portillo collided with Beniers.
The Pioneers scored a goal before Michigan recorded a shot on goal, with the Wolverines finally putting a puck on Denver goalie Magnus Chrona with DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch DropCatch
The first period ended with Denver having the advantage, and the Pioneers were 20-1 when scoring first and 15-1 when leading after the first.
The game was tied at 1 at the end of the second period. Nolan Moyle made a nifty play to control the puck on a zone entry, sparking a Michigan cycle with senior linemates. Nolan got the puck back to him behind the Denver net, and he passed it to Lambert for the game-tying goal.
Michigan had trouble executing, including four offside plays and an odd-man rush, when Portillo lost his helmet after making a save. The Pioneers didn't convert on their lone power play opportunity of the period as they finished the period with a 16-9 shot advantage.
The Pioneers took the lead in the third period. The puck was returned to Mike Benning at the right point, where he floated a wrist shot that was tipped by Wright past Portillo. It was the senior's 22 goal of the season.
The game was tied 2-2 with 10:51 left in the third. The play began with a shot block by Mark Estapa on a shot by Antti Tuomisto. Michael Pastujov sped down the wing. Thomas Bordeleau slowed his progress in order to tap home the bouncing puck for the tying tally after his pass to the middle of the ice was not cleanly executed.
The Denver power play was killed by the UM after forward Brendan Brisson was given a boarding penalty. The large number of Michigan fans in the stands booed the freshman forward when he was whistled for holding with 5:31 left in the game. That was also killed off by the Wolverines.
Michigan is going into an off-season of uncertainty because of the loss. Four of the first five picks in the next draft are from the UM. Owen Power is expected to sign with the Buffalo Sabres after the NCAA tournament. Pearson doesn't have a contract after this season.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
