Denver Pioneers and Minnesota State Mavericks advance to Frozen Four final

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Denver and Minnesota State will play for the men's ice hockey national title on Saturday night with a chance to make history for their respective programs.

The Pioneers defeated Michigan in overtime in the semifinals of the Frozen Four to advance to the title game.

Four years ago, the Pioneers won their ninth men's hockey championship in program history, which would tie Michigan for the most in NCAA Division I history.

It was a good hockey game. Denver coach David Carle said they were excited to be on the positive side.

Minnesota State defeated Minnesota in the semifinals. The Mavericks will be making their first appearance in the national title game. St. Cloud State defeated Minnesota State in the semifinals of the Frozen Four.

The last Frozen Four did not end the way we wanted it to. Minnesota State coach Mike Hastings said that they have been on a journey since to try and get back here.

Minnesota State advanced thanks to a pair of second-period wraparound goals by senior defense and senior left wing Reggie Lutz. Three goals were scored in the third period. The sophomore forward blocked a point shot by the senior defenseman early in the final period. David Silye made it a four point game with six minutes left in the game. Brendan Furry scored an empty net goal.

The Mavericks played strong defense in front of McKay. Matthew Knies scored the only goal of the game with 11 minutes left in the first period, on a 2-on-1 break off a Mavericks turnover.

McKay, a senior, earned chants of "Hobey Baker!" from the Mavericks fans in the crowd, as he is a finalist for the award honoring college hockey's top player, which will be handed out on Friday night in Boston. The other two are forwards.

Denver and Michigan played a tight game in the opening game of the Frozen Four.

Carter Savoie scored the winning goal in the first overtime for the Pioneers. The puck was secured before the transition to offense. Denver collected the turnover and leading scorer Brink passed to Savoie at the front of the net, which Savoie converted to send the top-seeded Wolverines home.

They turned the puck over at the blue line. I tried to give it to Bob, but it hit a stake and he got it back. That pass was incredible. Savoie said that he got the first shot and the rebound. The best feeling I have ever had.

The neutral zone left Michigan's dynamic offensive players off the score sheet as Denver's senior center and right wing had the other goals.

The game was tied going into the third period. The Pioneers took the lead in the third period. The puck was returned to the right point by the defenseman, who floated a wrist shot that was tipped by Wright into the net by Portillo.

The game was tied at 10:51 in the third. The play began with a block by Mark Estapa on a shot by Antti Tuomisto. Michael Pastujov sped down the wing. The sophomore forward slowed his progress in order to tap home the bouncing puck for the tying tally that would eventually force overtime, where Denver would end the UM run.

Michigan was sent into an off-season of uncertainty by 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.

Mel Pearson has a contract that expires on April 30. Pearson was asked if he would be the head coach of the UM next season, but he was not going to talk about it.