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 in the NCAA tournament regional final on Thursday night, punching their ticket to the Frozen Four. The game, played at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Missouri, drew national attention as the Pioneers rallied from a late deficit to keep their championship hopes alive.

Sophomore forward Aidan Thompson scored the game-winning goal just 1:12 into overtime, sending Denver to its 18th Frozen Four appearance in program history. The Pioneers will face Michigan in the national semifinals on April 11 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. Denver last won the national championship in 2022.

The matchup is trending across U.S. sports platforms as one of the most thrilling games of this year's tournament. Social media erupted after Thompson's goal, with #DUHockey and #FrozenFour both trending on Twitter. ESPN's broadcast drew 1.4 million viewers, the network's highest hockey audience this season outside of NHL games.

Head coach David Carle praised his team's resilience after they overcame a 2-1 deficit in the third period. "These guys never quit," Carle told reporters. "We've been in tough spots all season, and they just keep finding ways." Denver improved to 30-9-3 on the season with the win.

The victory holds special significance for Denver athletics after the school's basketball team was eliminated from March Madness last week. University officials announced plans for a campus send-off event on Monday before the team departs for Minnesota. Local bars near campus reported packed crowds during the game, with many establishments extending last call to accommodate celebrating fans.

Michigan enters the Frozen Four as the tournament's top overall seed, setting up a high-stakes rematch of last year's semifinal that Denver won 3-2 in overtime. The winner will advance to face either Boston University or Quinnipiac in the April 13 championship game. Ticket prices for the Frozen Four have surged 40% since Denver's qualification, according to secondary market data.

College hockey analysts note this marks the sixth consecutive year at least one Colorado team has reached the Frozen Four, underscoring the state's growing influence in the sport. The Pioneers will practice at Magness Arena through the weekend before traveling to Minnesota on Tuesday.