For the second time in the 2021-22 academic calendar year, a Michigan team found itself in the final four of its respective sport.
Football had its turn in December, losing to eventual national champion Georgia in the Capital One Orange Bowl, now hockey is having its turn in the spotlight, facing off against Denver in the Frozen Four at TD Garden in Boston.
Denver struck first, scoring in the first period, but Ji’m my Lambert tied the score 1-all at 4:03 in the second period — assisted by Nolan Moyle and Garrett Van Wyhe. It was a welcome change, given that the Wolverines struggled to get shots on goal in the first.
At 13:49, Moyle was called for a holding penalty, so the Pioneers would be the first to go on a power play. Denver ranks 11th in the NCAA at 24.7% in scoring on the power play, but the Wolverines rank 18th at clearing — and the maize and blue ended up surviving, though a last second shot was impressively saved by goalie Erik Portillo.
The second period ended tied at 1 — who would come ahead in the third to advance to the national championship on Saturday?
Denver entered the third period with a 16-9 shot advantage, after a late surge. But the Wolverines stymied the first period momentum, so it was time to see if they could do it again in the final period.
Michigan started out the period aggressive, but couldn’t find the goal. Then Denver had its run at the goal, but the defense continued to hold — which featured some impressive saves by Portillo.
But it was short-lived. Cameron Wright snuck one in off the post and past Portillo, giving the Pioneers a 2-1 lead at the 5:36 mark in the third. But then Thomas Bordeleau answered, getting out on a fast break to tie the game at 2-all at the 9:09 mark.
Bad news was coming though, as Brendan Brisson was sent to the penalty box for boarding. If the Wolverines were to survive and advance, they’d have to survive another Denver power play. Michigan survived the five Pioneers shots during the power play, including a wide-open look at the net that went wide. But the Wolverines were penalized again, as Mackie Samoskevich was dinged for holding at 14:29. More bad news at a really bad time.
Michigan survived yet again, and now there were just three minutes left to break the score gridlock.
Denver had more opportunities, but the teams remained at a stalemate. The Frozen Four semifinal was heading to overtime.
The Wolverines came out aggressive in OT, but again, couldn’t find the net. Perhaps the best opportunity came at 13:55, when Luke Hughes broke free with a one-on-one, but he couldn’t manage to score.
But Denver came out on top, winning 3-2, with the final goal coming at 14:53 in overtime. The Wolverines season is over as the Pioneers advance to the national championship.
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