Boston: The states of Denver and Minnesota will play for the men's ice hockey national title on Saturday night with a chance to create history for their respective events.
The Pioneers beat top-seeded Michigan 3-2 in overtime in their Frozen Four semi-final game on Thursday to advance to the school's first championship game since 2018.
The Pioneers, who won the title four years earlier, are seeking a ninth men's hockey championship in the program's history, which will see Michigan as its biggest ever in NCAA Division I.
Denver coach David Carle said: "It was a really good hockey game. We're definitely looking forward to the positive ending." "Our guys stuck to it, got the job done and we're still in Boston since Saturday."
Minnesota State defeated rival Minnesota 5–1 in their semifinal game. This will be the Mavericks' first appearance in a national title game. Minnesota State made its first Frozen Four last year, losing to St. Cloud State in the semifinals.
"The last Frozen Four didn't end the way we wanted it to. We're on a journey to try and get back here," said Minnesota State coach Mike Hastings. "So now we want to try and take advantage of the opportunity these guys have earned."
Minnesota State won thanks to a pair of second-period wraparound goals by senior defenseman Benton Maas and senior left winger Reggie Lutz, who defeated Gophers goalkeeper Justen Close. He scored three goals in the third round. Sophomore forward Ondrej Powell deflected a point shot by senior defenseman Jack McNeely at the start of the final period. Sophomore forward David Seeley took a 4-1 lead with only six minutes remaining in the game. Junior center Brendan Fury scored an empty net to secure the win.
The Mavericks made a strong defense against star goalkeeper Dryden McKay, who made 16 saves. The Gophers' only goal came on one of Minnesota State's rare gaffes in the game: 11 minutes left in the first period, on a 2-on-0 breakaway from a Mavericks turnover, as forward Matthew Nez scored to give Minnesota the lead. did.
McKay, a senior, said "Hobie Baker!" Earned mantras. From Mavericks fans in the crowd as he is a finalist to honor college hockey's top player, which will be given Friday night in Boston. The other two finalists are Bobby Brink from Denver and Ben Meyers from Minnesota.
Denver and Michigan began the Frozen Four semi-finals evening with a tight contest between the two deep teams.
Left wing Carter Savoie's goal in the first overtime with 5:07 remaining won the game for the Pioneers. The Wolverines tried to commit the offense before securing the puck. Denver collected the turnover, and Brink's pass from the right corner to the leading scorer was converted into the front of the net by Savoie, sending the Pioneers to a celebration and the top-seeded Wolverines home.
"He swung the puck over there on the blue line. I tried to pass it to Bob, it hit a stake and then he obviously took it back. That pass was incredible. I got the first shot and then the rebound, Savoi said. "No words to describe it. Best feeling ever."
Senior center Brett Stapley and senior right wing Cameron Wright had other goals for Denver, whose strong play in neutral territory took Michigan's dynamic offensive players off the score sheet.
It was a 1–1 game entering the third period. The Pioneers took the lead in the third period with 14:24 remaining. The puck was sent right back to defenseman Mike Benning, who called for a wrist shot that was deflected by Wright's goalkeeper Eric Portillo.
But Michigan leveled the match with 10:51 in third place. The play began with a huge block by Mark Estapa on a shot from Denver defenseman Antti Tuomisto. Michigan's Michael Pastujov paces the wing. His pass was deflected in the middle of the ice, but sophomore forward Thomas Bordeleau slowed his progress to tap home the bouncing puck for a tying tally, which would eventually force overtime, where Denver went. Will end Wolverine's run.
The loss sent Michigan into a season of uncertainty. The Wolverines have seven players selected in the first round of the NHL Draft, including four from the first five picks in the 2021 draft. Defenseman Owen Powers, last year's No. 1 overall pick, is expected to sign with the Buffalo Sabers after the NCAA Tournament.
Michigan coach Mel Pearson's contract expires on April 30. Asked if he will be Wolverine's head coach next season, Pearson said: "I'm going to talk tonight about the game and our team."