With two of the most successful programs in college hockey history facing off, fireworks were expected. Michigan and Denver delivered, and then some.
Advertisement
On Thursday night, Denver topped Michigan in a fascinating Frozen Four contest, clinching a spot in the national championship game with a 4-3 victory. An unlikely hero ended the marathon battle, as Pioneers defenseman Kent Anderson scored the winning goal in double overtime.
Denver will have to bounce back quickly with the national championship game scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 11. The Pioneers will face Wisconsin, who beat North Dakota earlier that night, 2-1.
Watch all the highlights from Denver’s win over Michigan below.
Michigan vs. Denver score
| 1 |
2 |
3 |
Old Testament |
2OT |
F |
|
|
Michigan |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
Denver |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
Michigan vs. Denver updates, highlights from 2026 Frozen Four game
End of double overtime: Denver 4, Michigan 3
12:50 am Eastern Time: Kent Anderson scores! DENVER WINS! The Pioneers will face Wisconsin in the national championship game.
12:46 a.m. Eastern Time: Hicks has surpassed his previous career high for saves. Your total can reach 50 before this game ends.
Advertisement
12:26 a.m. Eastern Time: Double overtime has begun. Hicks immediately saves what could have been the winning goal.
End of overtime: Michigan 3, Denver 3
12:10 a.m. Eastern Time: An extra period was not enough. Let’s duplicate the OT.
12:05 a.m. Eastern Time: Oh! Denver’s Boston Buckberger appears to have a nasty cut on his hand. His glove got caught under Will Horcoff’s skate. It’s certainly not intentional, but it looks painful.
12 a.m. Eastern Time: It’s clear that everyone is exhausted right now. Those in the Eastern Time Zone have begun a new day.
11:46 pm Eastern Time: Hicks has been rock solid. He continues to keep Denver’s championship dream alive.
Advertisement
11:37 pm Eastern Time: Hughes may have suffered an injury, but it appears he will play through the pain.
End of third period: Michigan 3, Denver 3
11:14 pm Eastern Time: Free hockey! We’re going to work overtime.
11:10 pm Eastern Time: WOW! With 2:46 left in the game, Clarke Caswell finds a spot in front of the net and deflects the puck past Ivankovic.
10:58 pm Eastern Time: GOAL! With 8:58 left in the game, Jayden Perron hits a shot past Hicks on the power play to give Michigan a 3-2 lead.
10:50 pm Eastern Time: Another Michigan penalty, and this time it’s Garrett Schifsky for boarding. However, the Wolverines overturn the penalty.
Advertisement
10:40 pm Eastern Time: Denver has a power play due to a Tyler Duke tripping penalty, but the Pioneers can’t capitalize on the opportunity. Hicks appears to take a hit to the head, but will remain in the game.
10:35 pm Eastern Time: The third half has begun.
End of second half: Michigan 2, Denver 2
10:18 pm Eastern Time: After Ashcroft’s goal early in the period, Hicks and Ivankovic turned into brick walls. Still tied heading into third.
10 pm Eastern Time: Hughes and Nick Moldenhauer try to beat Hicks, but he is trapped.
9:44 pm Eastern Time: Just as the power play ends, Cale Ashcroft scores. Everything tied 2-2 in the second.
9:40 pm Eastern Time: The second period has started and Denver already has a power play opportunity.
Advertisement
End of the first period: Michigan 2, Denver 1
9:20 pm Eastern Time: Well, that was quick. TJ Hughes scores to give the Wolverines their first lead of the game.
9:18 pm Eastern Time: MICHIGAN RESPONDS! Josh Eernisse scores with 3:42 left in the first half.
9:03 pm Eastern Time: GOAL! After a turnover, Kyle Chyzowski scores. Denver 1, Michigan 0.
8:55 pm Eastern Time: Denver’s Johnny Hicks handles Michigan’s Adam Valentini’s shot. Both goalies have been tested early.
8:47 pm Eastern Time: Jack Ivankovic with two quick saves to get Michigan started the game.
8:45 pm Eastern Time: It’s time to play hockey!
8:30 pm Eastern Time: The lines for Michigan and Denver:
8:05 pm Eastern Time: Michigan vs Denver should start around 8:45 pm ET.
Advertisement
NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament Schedule, Results 2026
Thursday, March 26: Regional semifinals
|
Game |
|---|
|
Michigan State 2UConn 1 |
|
wisconsin 5Dartmouth 1 |
|
Quinnipiac 5Providence 2 |
|
North Dakota 3Merrimack 0 |
Friday, March 27: Regional semifinals
|
Game |
|---|
|
Western Michigan 3Minnesota State 1 |
|
Michigan 5Bentley 1 |
|
Denver 5Cornell 0 |
|
Minnesota Duluth 3Pennsylvania State 1 |
Saturday, March 28: Regional finals
|
Game |
|---|
|
wisconsin 4Michigan State 3 (OT) |
|
North Dakota 5Quinnipiac 0 |
Sunday, March 29: Regional finals
|
Game |
|---|
|
Denver 6Western Michigan 2 |
|
Michigan 4Minnesota Duluth 3 |
Thursday April 9 — Semifinals
|
Game |
|---|
|
wisconsin 2North Dakota 1 |
|
Denver 4Michigan 3 (2OT) |
Saturday April 11 —finals
|
Game |
Time (ET) |
TV/Live Streaming |
|---|---|---|
|
Denver vs. Wisconsin |
5:30 p.m. |
ESPN, ESPN app, fubo |
NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament Champions by Year
Here are the last 10 tournament champions:
|
Year |
Champion |
Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
|
2025 |
Western Michigan |
Boston University |
|
2024 |
Denver |
boston university |
|
2023 |
Quinnipiac |
Minnesota |
|
2022 |
Denver |
State of Minnesota |
|
2021 |
Massachusetts |
St. Cloud State |
|
2020 |
No tournament (COVID-19 pandemic) |
— |
|
2019 |
Minnesota Duluth |
Massachusetts |
|
2018 |
Minnesota Duluth |
Notre Dame |
|
2017 |
Denver |
Minnesota Duluth |
|
2016 |
North Dakota |
Quinnipiac |
|
2015 |
Providence |
Boston University |