**Denver’s Defense and Depth Carry the Day in Overtime Thriller**
In college hockey, overtime games are often a test of endurance, composure, and the ability to capitalize on fleeting moments. Thursday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas was no different as Denver University edged Michigan 4-3 in double overtime, securing its place in the Frozen Four championship game against Wisconsin. The Pioneers (28-11-3) will attempt to win their third national title in five years and extend a storied program’s legacy, while Michigan (31-8-1) fell short of its first national championship appearance since 2011.
At the heart of Denver’s victory was a combination of defensive tenacity, goaltending brilliance from freshman Johnny Hicks, and opportunistic scoring when it mattered most. The Pioneers’ ability to withstand a relentless Michigan attack — which outshot them 52-26 — is a testament to their depth and structure.
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### **Denver’s Defensive Structure: A Blueprint for Overtime Survival**
Denver’s defense, anchored by senior captain Clarke Caswell and complemented by players like Cale Ashcroft and Kyle Chyzowski, was the backbone of the Pioneers’ success. Their ability to neutralize Michigan’s top-ranked power play — which entered the game converting at a 31.6% clip — is perhaps the most telling metric in this contest.
– **Power Play Suppression:** In the third period alone, Denver killed off three Michigan power plays, including one that stretched into overtime. Their penalty kill efficiency (89.7%) was critical given how often Michigan leaned on its special teams.
– **Corsi and Fenwick Metrics:** Despite being outshot by a staggering margin, Denver’s Corsi For percentage (CF%) of 43.5% in regulation suggests they were controlling the play more than their shot totals indicate. This is a function of their defensive structure — specifically, their ability to clog passing lanes and force turnovers.
– **Zone Entry Limitation:** Michigan’s average zone entry rate was only 17.2 per game this season, but Denver limited it further in this contest. Their blue line, led by Chyzowski (who recorded two goals) and Ashcroft (one goal), forced the Wolverines into low-percentage shots.
The Pioneers’ defensive system is built around a hybrid style that blends gap control with aggressive forechecking. This approach limits high-danger chances, which was crucial given how often Michigan’s top players — T.J. Hughes, Josh Eernisse, and Jayden Perron — were creating scoring opportunities from the blue line.
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### **Johnny Hicks: A Freshman Goaltender in a Pressure Cooker**
The narrative of this game is incomplete without mentioning Johnny Hicks, who made 49 saves to earn his first NCAA tournament victory. Entering the Frozen Four, Hicks was already among the nation’s elite goaltenders with a .958 save percentage and 1.12 goals-against average.
– **Save Percentage in High-Danger Chances:** In high-danger scoring chances (HDCF), Hicks stopped 68% of shots, which is above his season average of 64%. This was particularly crucial in the second overtime period when Michigan outshot Denver 13-3.
– **Durability and Resilience:** Early in the third period, Hicks took a significant hit from a Michigian player after a collision with teammate Eric Jamieson. The fact that he stayed in the game — and continued to make key saves — speaks volumes about his mental toughness.
Hicks’ performance wasn’t just about stopping pucks; it was about providing the Pioneers with confidence. His ability to hold the fort allowed Denver’s offense to take risks knowing they had a reliable netminder behind them.
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### **The Offense: Opportunism Over Volume**
Denver’s offensive approach in this game was defined by opportunism rather than volume. They scored four goals on just 26 shots, with only two of those coming from the slot (Clarke Caswell and Kent Anderson). The rest were off rebounds or deflections.
– **Shooting Percentage:** Denver shot at a 15.4% rate in this game — well below their season average of 10.7%. This suggests that they were not firing on net with high efficiency, but instead waiting for the perfect moment.
– **Goal Scoring Distribution:** Chyzowski (two goals) and Caswell (one goal, one assist) accounted for three of Denver’s four goals, highlighting their role in setting up scoring chances. Meanwhile, Anderson’s game-winning goal — his third of the season — was a rare highlight in an otherwise low-scoring night for him.
This is the hallmark of a team that plays with structure and discipline. Denver did not try to outshoot or outscore Michigan; instead, they waited for mistakes and capitalized on them when they came.
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### **Michigan’s Collapse: A Story of Missed Opportunities**
While Michigan’s offense was dominant in terms of shot volume, their inability to convert on high-percentage chances ultimately cost them the game. Let’s break down why:
– **High-Danger Chances:** Michigan created 12 high-danger scoring chances (HDCF), but only converted one — T.J. Hughes’ third-period goal. This was a critical missed opportunity given that they were outshot by more than two-to-one.
– **Power Play Efficiency Drop:** Michigan’s power play, which had been so effective all season, went 0-for-5 in this game. The Pioneers killed off each chance with aggressive forechecking and smart positioning.
– **Missed Opportunities in Overtime:** In the first overtime period alone, Michigan had five shots on goal — but none were quality chances. They outshot Denver 21-8 in the extra sessions, yet failed to convert any of those opportunities into goals.
The Wolverines’ failure to finish is emblematic of a team that has struggled with consistency in high-stakes games this season. Their ability to dominate possession and shot totals didn’t translate into wins — particularly against teams like Denver who are built for overtime.
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### **Wisconsin’s Path: A Clash of Styles**
In the other semifinal, Wisconsin (24-12-2) defeated North Dakota 2-1 behind goals from Simon Tassy and Ryan Botterill. The Badgers will now face a Pioneers team that has thrived in high-pressure environments.
– **Wisconsin’s Offense:** Tassy and Botterill — both forwards who play with physicality — are the type of players who can exploit Denver’s defense if they aren’t on their game.
– **Goaltending Matchup:** Wisconsin’s netminder, Jack Duggan (1.87 GAA, .925 save percentage), is a solid but not elite goaltender. He’ll be tested by Denver’s ability to force high-danger chances.
The Badgers are a team that relies on physical play and structured offense, which could create challenges for the Pioneers’ defensive system. However, Denver has shown they can adapt — as evidenced by their overtime win against Michigan.
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### **A New National Title in Sight?**
For Denver, this victory represents more than just another Frozen Four appearance; it’s a chance to continue a dynasty that has already produced 11 national championships. The Pioneers’ path to the title is paved with resilience — they were eliminated from the NCAA tournament in each of the past two years by teams ranked higher than them.
– **Historical Context:** Denver’s last national title came in 2019, and since then, they’ve made a pair of Frozen Four appearances only to fall short. This year, however, their depth, goaltending, and defensive structure have given them the tools to succeed.
– **Schedule Adjustments:** Playing on the road in Las Vegas — an unfamiliar environment for both teams — could be a factor. However, Denver’s experience in high-stakes games gives them an edge.
The Pioneers are not just hoping to win this game; they’re planning to win it. Their ability to withstand pressure and make clutch plays in overtime suggests that they’ve already mentally prepared for the challenge of facing Wisconsin on Saturday.
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### **Final Takeaways: A Game Built on Defense and Depth**
This game was a masterclass in how college hockey is played at its highest level — not just by who scores, but by who prevents goals. Denver’s defensive structure, Johnny Hicks’ performance, and their ability to capitalize on mistakes were the keys to victory.
Michigan, for all their shot volume, couldn’t finish. Their inability to convert high-danger chances in overtime highlights a recurring issue with their team this season: inconsistency under pressure.
As the Pioneers prepare for Saturday’s championship game against Wisconsin, they’ll need to continue playing with the same discipline and resilience that carried them through this grueling overtime battle. If they do, there’s every reason to believe that 12 national titles could be in the cards.