Denver defeats Michigan in OT, clinching spot in NCAA Championship

The Denver Pioneers played against the Michigan Wolverines in one of the two semifinal games in the NCAA hockey tournament, and it turned out to be quite a thriller. The Pioneers possessed the highest-scoring team in college hockey this season, but their defense came through at the right time.

Denver's Brett Stapley opened the scoring off with 8:38 remaining in the first period with a nifty backhand for his 17th goal of the year. This resulted in Michigan trailing for the first time in the entire NCAA tournament. Denver would take that lead into the first intermission with an edge in shots 7-4.

Brett Stapley (#GoHabsGo) opens the scoring at the #FrozenFour for @DU_Hockey, sending the rebound past Erik Portillo for the 1-0 goal.

Jack Devine (#2022NHLDraft) and Justin Lee the assists on the play. pic.twitter.com/IGBS790KWL— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) April 7, 2022

Michigan finally broke through roughly four minutes into the second period with Jimmy Lambert tallying his sixth of the season after taking a pass in the slot from Nolan Moyle behind the net. With the game tied 1-1, Denver had controlled much of the game, still edging the Wolverines in shots 16-9.

The @UMichHockey fourth line comes through in the clutch with the tying goal, as Jimmy Lambert snipes one past Magnus Chroma in front to make it a 1-1 game.

Assists to Nolan Moyle and Garrett Van Wyhe. pic.twitter.com/v6Bu6MYV44— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) April 7, 2022

The third period's pace was crazy, as both teams could had the opportunity to play in the NCAA Championship game. Cameron Wright put the Pioneer's up 2-1 after a sick redirect in the high slot that went off the left post and into the net.

Cam Wright deflects the puck past Erik Portillo to give @DU_Hockey a 2-1 lead over Michigan in the third period.

Assists to Mike Benning (#FlaPanthers) and Massimo Rizzo (#LetsGoCanes) pic.twitter.com/6FkmnrcKEc— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) April 7, 2022

Then just over three minutes later, Michigan's Thomas Bordeleau picked up a loose puck and chipped it over Magnus Chrona's out-stretched glove to tie the game 2-2.

Thomas Bordeleau (#SJSharks) scores on the counter play to tie this game up at 2-2 for @UMichHockey.

Michael Pastujov the assist, and credit to Mark Estapa for the shot block that made the play happen. pic.twitter.com/3efRBB68CG— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) April 7, 2022

The game would head to overtime tied 2-2, and the fourth and final period did not disappoint for everyone minus Michigan fans. After a fast-paced OT, Denver finally scored the game-winning goal with just over five minutes left in the period. Carter Savoie picked up his own rebound and deposited it in the empty side of the net to give Denver a spot in the NCAA Championship, winning the game 3-2.

Carter Savoie (#LetsGoOilers) called game and scored the overtime winner to secure @DU_Hockey's spot in the NCAA Championship Game.

Bobby Brink (#BringItToBroad) with the lone assist on the play. pic.twitter.com/D9ovH2UmJk— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) April 8, 2022

Denver will take on the winner of Minnesota State versus Minnesota on Saturday night in the NCAA National Championship game at TD Garden in Boston.

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