Kent Anderson’s 2-OT winner lifts Denver past Michigan 4-3 in Frozen Four thriller

APTOPIX NCAA Michigan Denver Hockey

Denver defenseman Kent Anderson, right, celebrates after scoring against Michigan in the second overtime of a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey tournament Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

APTOPIX NCAA Michigan Denver Hockey

Denver defenseman Kent Anderson, right, celebrates after scoring against Michigan in the second overtime of a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey tournament Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

NCAA Michigan Denver Hockey

Denver goaltender Johnny Hicks (31) knocks the puck away against Michigan in overtime of a semifinal game in the NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey tournament Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

NCAA Michigan Denver Hockey

Denver forward Clarke Caswell (25) celebrates after Denver defenseman Cale Ashcroft scored against Michigan goaltender Jack Ivankovic (72) in the second period of a semifinal game of the NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey tournament Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

NCAA Michigan Denver Hockey

Michigan forward Josh Eernisse (6) celebrates after scoring against Denver in the first period of a semifinal game of the NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey tournament Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

NCAA Michigan Denver Hockey

Michigan forward Michael Hage (19) falls on Denver goaltender Johnny Hicks (31) in the second period of a semifinal game of the NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey tournament Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kent Anderson scored from the slot at 7:25 of the second overtime to back up Johnny Hicks' 49 saves and lift Denver to a 4-3 victory over Michigan on Thursday night in a Frozen Four semifinal and keep alive the Pioneers' hoping of winning their third national title in five years. The Pioneers (28-11-3), a No. 2 regional seed, play Wisconsin (24-12-2) in Saturday’s championship. They will try to extend their record to 11 titles. Michigan (31-8-1) had hoped to make its first championship appearance since 2011 and win its first championship since 1998. The Wolverines — who outshot the Pioneers 52-26 — also were trying to tie Denver for most overall championships. Denver’s Clarke Caswell sent the game into overtime with a goal and also had an assist. Kyle Chyzowski and Cale Ashcroft also scored, and Hicks — a freshman — set a personal high in saves. Hicks, who entered this game leading the nation with a 1.12 goals-against average and .958 save percentage, stayed in the game after taking a nasty hit early in the third period when teammate Eric Jamieson made contact with Michigan’s Malcolm Spence on a rush to the net. “He’s a battler, he’s unfazed — he was our best player tonight,” Pioneers coach David Carle said. Josh Eernisse, Jayden Perron and T.J. Hughes each scored for Michigan, with Hughes' goal giving the Hobey Baker finalist 179 career points, tops among active players. Jack Ivankovic saved 22 shots. The Wolverines were on the verge of advancing to the final when Perron scored from the right point with 8:58 left in regulation. That goal came on the power play, the nation's top-ranked unit that entered the game by converting 31.6% of its chances. Denver, however, kept alive its season when Caswell redirected a shot from Garrett Brown from the goal line with 2:46 remaining in regulation. Neither team scored in the first overtime, though Pioneers winger Rieger Lorenz hit the crossbar. Teammate Boston Buckberger later had his left hand badly bloodied when it was stepped on, but he played through it. \\\_ AP NHL: