Denver University Hockey Advances To Frozen Four After Overtime Thriller
Denver University Hockey Advances To Frozen Four After Overtime Thriller...
Denver University's hockey team secured a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory against Boston College on Saturday, advancing to the NCAA Frozen Four for the first time since 2022. The game, played at the Providence Dunkin' Donuts Center, ended with a clutch goal by sophomore forward Tristan Broz just 1:23 into extra time. The win sends the Pioneers to St. Paul, Minnesota, where they'll face Michigan in the national semifinals on April 11.
The matchup is trending nationally as college hockey fans celebrate one of the most thrilling games of the tournament. Denver's victory marks their 18th Frozen Four appearance, tying them with Michigan for the most in NCAA history. Social media erupted after the game, with #DUHockey trending on X (formerly Twitter) as fans shared clips of Broz's game-winner.
Head coach David Carle praised his team's resilience after they overcame a 2-1 third-period deficit. "This group never quits," Carle told reporters. "We've been battle-tested all season, and it showed tonight." Denver goaltender Matt Davis made 32 saves, including several key stops in overtime.
The Frozen Four berth has sparked excitement across Colorado, where DU hockey has developed a passionate following. Local bars near campus reported packed crowds during Saturday's game, with celebrations spilling into the streets afterward. The team's success comes during a strong season for western hockey programs, with three of the four Frozen Four teams hailing from west of the Mississippi.
Michigan will present a tough challenge for Denver, having defeated them 4-3 in overtime during their October meeting. The winner advances to face either Boston University or Quinnipiac in the April 13 championship game. ESPN analysts project record viewership for this year's Frozen Four, citing increased interest in western hockey markets.
Tickets for the St. Paul games sold out within hours of Denver's victory, with secondary market prices exceeding $300 for standing-room spots. The University of Denver is organizing watch parties on campus for students unable to travel to Minnesota. Athletic director Josh Berlo called the Frozen Four appearance "a testament to our program's sustained excellence."
This marks Denver's sixth Frozen Four under Carle, who took over in 2018. The Pioneers last won the national championship in 2022, their record-tying ninth title. With Saturday's win, they improved to 30-9-3 on the season, setting a program record for victories.
College hockey experts note the game's growing popularity in nontraditional markets, with Denver's success helping drive interest in western programs. The NCAA reported a 14% increase in tournament viewership through the regional finals, with Denver-Boston College drawing the highest ratings of any quarterfinal game.
Michigan and Denver face off at 5 p.m. ET Thursday at the Xcel Energy Center. The game will air live on ESPN2, with streaming available on ESPN+. The winner advances to Saturday's championship game, where Denver could become the first western program to win multiple titles in a five-year span since the 1990s.
