Denver claws back from a deficit, delivering an epic double-overtime upset. An unexpected hero seals a championship berth, stunning the top-ranked Wolverines.
Las Vegas, NV- Game two of the 2026 Frozen Four required free hockey at quite a rate. The Denver Pioneers battle back from a third-period deficit and move back into a comfortable championship game position for their program.
An instant classic was completed at the 7:25 mark of the second overtime in T-Mobile Arena.
With seven total goals, the opener belonged to a Denver squadron trying to win twelve games in a row. Kyle Chyzowski kept it low on a one-timer to slide it past Jack Ivankovic for his second straight game with a goal.
Josh Eernisse would answer back before the conclusion of the first period, one of the quicker goals off a faceoff you’ll see in Frozen Four history.
We saw Wisconsin score two goals 27 seconds apart, and Michigan would do so 59 seconds apart, as Hobey Baker Hat Trick Nominee T.J Hughes wouldn’t let an opportunity like this go to waste, as a wide shot ended up in his basket to give the Wolverines the lead into the break.
The game continued to exchange opportunities back and forth into the second period, with a Denver slot shot from Cale Ashcroft that snuck by at 2:30 into the period.
2-2 into the second intermission, and a Power play for Jayden Perron and the Wolverines was just about how you would expect to go in a situation like this for the best special teams unit in the country to break open the scoring in the third.
Michigan could taste what could be their first appearance in the title game in 15 years, but the experienced Pioneers wouldn’t go down without a fight.
Clarke Caswell, who was much more of a playmaker than a scorer for the Pioneers this season, activated his scoring on one of the most beautiful tip-ins you’ll see for years to come. Take a look here:
That would bring us to overtime, the first experience of extra hockey for both sides in this year’s tournament.
The only reason we saw a second overtime was the sensational goalie show of Jack Ivankovic and Johnny Hicks. For Hicks, it ended up being a career high 49 saves for the freshman in the biggest game of his life, well, until Saturday.
He can thank Kent Anderson for that. An unexpected hero, scoring his first goal of the entire season in overtime, rattling it past the glove side of Ivankovic to give Denver a shot at their 11th national title next game.
92:35 of hockey in this one.
Wisconsin watches on with a smile, knowing they will have the advantage when it comes to rest for the Championship game.
But there’s no denying David Carle and Denver will be rolling off some momentum with an upset of the top overall seed.
Apr 9, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Denver Pioneers celebrate with fans after defeating Michigan Wolverines in double overtime in the semifinals of the NCAA men's ice hockey Frozen Four at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images