Overview
- Denver advanced Thursday on Kent Anderson’s goal at 7:25 of the second overtime with freshman goalie Johnny Hicks making 49 saves as Michigan outshot the Pioneers 52-26.
- Wisconsin reached the final by beating North Dakota 2-1 after first‑period goals 27 seconds apart and a crucial 5‑on‑3 penalty kill, with Daniel Hauser stopping 21 shots.
- The championship is Saturday at T‑Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with Denver at 28-11-3 facing Wisconsin at 24-12-2.
- Denver enters on a 12‑game winning streak and is pursuing a record 11th national title after winning in 2022 and 2024.
- Goaltending and special teams proved decisive, with Hicks playing through a third‑period collision and Wisconsin’s penalty kill perfect in five chances before a late 6‑on‑5 hold.