Carter Savoie’s goal with 5:07 remaining in the first overtime won the game for the Pioneers. The Pioneers will face the winner of the other semifinal between Minnesota and Minnesota State. It is the first league appearance for Denver since 2018, when it won the title. Denver, No. 4 in the tournament, is seeking the ninth men’s hockey championship in program history, which would tie Michigan to the most in NCAA Division I history. The winner of the overtime came as a result of a sloppy Michigan game in his own zone. The Wolverines tried to go on the attack before securing the elf. Denver rallied and the top scorer Bobby Brink’s pass from the right corner was converted by Savoy to the front of the net, sending the Pioneers in celebration and the first Wolverines home. The game between the Pioneers and the Wolverines was not the offensive shot that many expected. Instead, it was an intense battle between two talented and in-depth teams that extended the previous regulation. Denver led 1-0 with 8:38 remaining in the first period with a goal by Brett Stapley, his 17th of the season. Defender Justin Lee shot the elf from the spot. With a Pioneers player on the doorstep, goalkeeper Erik Portillo blocked the shot on goal. Staple picked it up there, and with Portillo clashing with Matti Baniers’s center, he entered the open net to give Denver the lead. Denver qualified for the school’s first Frozen Four final since 2018. The Pioneers won the title that year. Maddie Meyer / Getty Images The Pioneers scored a goal before Michigan recorded a shot on goal, with the Wolverines finally putting a stick in Denver goalkeeper Magnus Chrona with 3:56 remaining in first. Michigan coach Mel Pearson’s message to his players after Wednesday’s training session was “focus on the beginning and be ready.” The first period ended with Denver having the advantage, and the Pioneers were 20-1-1 when they scored first and 15-0-1 when they were ahead after the first period. The Wolverines closed the game at 1-1 with 15:57 remaining for the second period with a goal by Jimmy Lambert. Right wing Nolan Moyle made a good play to control the elf at a zone entrance, firing a Michigan circle with senior teammates Garrett Van Wyhe and Lambert. The elf eventually returned to Nolan from behind the Denver net, and fed Lambert forward for the draw, his 6th of the season. Michigan pushed for the next few minutes of the season but had execution problems, including four offside games, and the solo rush was canceled when Portillo lost his helmet after a rebound. Denver ended the season with a 16-9 shooting advantage, as the Pioneers did not turn it into the only power play opportunity for the teams of the season. The Pioneers were ahead with 14:24 remaining for the third period. The elf was returned to defender Mike Benning in the right spot, who made a shot on the wrist that Wright repelled over Portillo. It was the 22 goals of the season for the top winger in 40 games. But Michigan tied at 2-2 with 10:51 remaining in third. The game started with a great shot by Mark Estapa in a shot by Denver defender Addi Tuomisto. Michael Pastujov from Michigan quickly fell into the wing. His cross in the middle of the ice was deflected, but second-year striker Thomas Bordeleau cleverly slowed his progress to win the bounce for the equalizer. The Wolverines killed a power game in Denver after boarding striker Brendan Bryson was sent off. With 5:31 remaining for the game, first-year striker Mackie Samoskevich whistled for a hold, drawing disapproval from the significant number of Michigan fans on the podium. But the Wolverines killed that too. The loss leads Michigan to an off-season of uncertainty. The Wolverines have seven players selected in the first round of the NHL Draft, including four of the top five in the 2021 draft. Defenseman Owen Power, No. 1 overall pick, is expected to sign with the Buffalo Sabers after the NCAA Tournament. . Pearson also has no contract beyond this season.
