Michigan vs. Denver Score, Highlights: Pioneers Keep Title Dream Alive with Thrilling Frozen Four Win

Michigan vs. Denver Score, Highlights: Pioneers Keep Title Dream Alive with Thrilling Frozen Four Win originally appeared on NESN.
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With two of the most successful programs in college hockey history facing off, fireworks were expected. Michigan and Denver delivered — and then some.

On Thursday night, Denver outlasted Michigan in a riveting Frozen Four contest, securing a spot in the national championship game with a 4-3 victory. An unlikely hero ended the marathon battle, as Pioneers defenseman Kent Anderson scored the game-winning goal in double overtime.

Denver will have to recover quickly with the national championship game scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 11. The Pioneers will take on Wisconsin, which beat North Dakota earlier in the evening, 2-1.

Check out all of the highlights from Denver’s win over Michigan below.

Michigan vs. Denver score

Michigan vs. Denver updates, highlights from 2026 Frozen Four game

End of double overtime: Denver 4, Michigan 3

12:50 a.m. ET: Kent Anderson scores! DENVER WINS! The Pioneers will face Wisconsin in the national championship game.

KENT ANDERSON CALLS GAME IN DOUBLE OT! 🚨#MFrozenFour x 🎥 ESPN2 / @DU_Hockeypic.twitter.com/UfKfLJOkns

— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 10, 2026

12:46 a.m. ET: Hicks has surpassed his previous career high for saves. His total may reach 50 before this game ends.

12:26 a.m. ET: Double overtime has begun. Hicks immediately saves what could have been a game-winning goal.

End of overtime: Michigan 3, Denver 3

12:10 a.m. ET: One overtime period was not enough. We are going to double OT.

12:05 a.m. ET: Ouch! Denver’s Boston Buckberger appears to have a nasty cut on his hand. His glove got caught underneath Will Horcoff’s skate. Certainly not intentional, but that looks painful.

12 a.m. ET: It’s clear that everyone is running on fumes at this point. Those in the Eastern Time Zone have started a new day.

11:46 p.m. ET: Hicks has been rock solid. He continues to keep Denver’s championship dream alive.

11:37 p.m. ET: Hughes may have suffered an injury, but it looks like he will play through the pain.

End of third period: Michigan 3, Denver 3

11:14 p.m. ET: Free hockey! We are going to overtime.

11:10 p.m. ET: WOW! With 2:46 left in the game, Clarke Caswell finds a spot in front of the net and deflects the puck past Ivankovic.

“That’s a beaut Clark(e)” 🌟

Clarke Caswell tips it in for the Pioneers with under three minutes remaining to tie it back up! #MFrozenFour x 🎥 ESPN2 / @DU_Hockeypic.twitter.com/ZbvK5RRwFk

— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 10, 2026

10:58 p.m. ET: GOAL! With 8:58 left in the game, Jayden Perron rips a shot past Hicks on the power play to give Michigan a 3-2 lead.

Wolverines back on top 🌟 @umichhockey

📺: ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/b8LWS72LTG

— Big Ten Hockey (@B1GHockey) April 10, 2026

10:50 p.m. ET: Another Michigan penalty, and this time it’s Garrett Schifsky for boarding. The Wolverines kill the penalty, though.

10:40 p.m. ET: Denver gets a power play because of a Tyler Duke tripping penalty, but the Pioneers are unable to take advantage of the opportunity. Hicks appears to take a hit to the head, but he will remain in the game.

10:35 p.m. ET: The third period has started.

End of second period: Michigan 2, Denver 2

10:18 p.m. ET: After the Ashcroft goal early in the period, Hicks and Ivankovic turned into brick walls. Still tied heading into the third.

10 p.m. ET: Hughes and Nick Moldenhauer try to beat Hicks, but he is locked in.

9:44 p.m. ET: Right as the power play ends, Cale Ashcroft scores. All tied up at 2-2 in the second.

Cale Ashcroft ties. it. up. 😮‍💨

📺 ESPN2#MFrozenFour x @DU_Hockeypic.twitter.com/aTleNm7Tus

— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 10, 2026

9:40 p.m. ET: The second period has begun, and Denver already has a power play opportunity.

End of first period: Michigan 2, Denver 1

9:20 p.m. ET: Well, that was fast. T.J. Hughes scores to give the Wolverines their first lead of the game.

Michigan takes the lead ‼️ @umichhockey

📺: ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/0yz7zLziRr

— Big Ten Hockey (@B1GHockey) April 10, 2026

9:18 p.m. ET: MICHIGAN RESPONDS! Josh Eernisse scores with 3:42 left in the first period.

The Wolverines even the score 😤 @umichhockey

📺: ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/uqh77SSjiX

— Big Ten Hockey (@B1GHockey) April 10, 2026

9:03 p.m. ET: GOAL! After a turnover, Kyle Chyzowski scores. Denver 1, Michigan 0.

BING, BANG, GOAL! 🚨

Kyle Chyzowski opens the scoring for the Pios midway through the first! #MFrozenFour x 🎥 ESPN2 / @DU_Hockeypic.twitter.com/3RNLesH5g2

— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 10, 2026

8:55 p.m. ET: Denver’s Johnny Hicks handles the shot from Michigan’s Adam Valentini. Both goalies have been tested early.

8:47 p.m. ET: Jack Ivankovic with two quick saves for Michigan to start the game.

8:45 p.m. ET: It’s time to play some hockey!

8:30 p.m. ET: The lines for Michigan and Denver:

The Pioneers’ Projected Lineup for the #MFrozenFour vs. Michigan.#GoPiospic.twitter.com/0afhZja27W

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) April 9, 2026

Tonight’s lines ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/WGgS6448ir

— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) April 9, 2026

8:05 p.m. ET: Michigan vs. Denver should begin around 8:45 p.m. ET.

NCAA men’s hockey tournament schedule, results 2026

Thursday, March 26 — Regional Semifinals

Friday, March 27 — Regional Semifinals

Saturday, March 28 — Regional Finals

Sunday, March 29 — Regional Finals

Thursday, April 9 — Semifinals

Saturday, April 11 —Finals

NCAA men’s hockey tournament champions by year

Here are the last 10 tournament champions: