Denver Pioneers Advance to National Championship in Double-Overtime Thriller

The Denver Pioneers defeated the University of Michigan in a double-overtime NCAA tournament semifinal game, advancing to the national championship. The game lasted 92 minutes and 35 seconds, ranking it as the eighth-longest game in NCAA tournament history.

Game Outcome and Historical Context

The Denver Pioneers defeated the Michigan Wolverines in a national semifinal game that required two overtime periods to decide. The contest concluded after 92 minutes and 35 seconds of play, a duration that places it eighth on the list of the longest games in NCAA tournament history.

Deciding Goal

The game-winning goal was scored by Denver senior defenseman Kent Anderson during the second overtime period. Anderson received a pass from teammate Kristian Epperson and shot the puck past Michigan goaltender Ivankovic. The goal was Anderson's second of the season and the sixth of his collegiate career.

Key Performances

• Denver Goaltending: Denver freshman goaltender Johnny Hicks made 49 saves on 52 shots faced during the game. Hicks remains undefeated through his first 15 starts for the Pioneers.
• Michigan Offense: The Michigan Wolverines' offense registered 52 shots on goal during the contest.

Upcoming Championship Game

The Denver Pioneers are scheduled to play the University of Wisconsin Badgers in the NCAA national championship game. The game is set for Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.