Great run by Michigan Hockey ends in Frozen Four heartbreaker

Michigan hockey had a legitimate shot of winning the national championship but fell short after a heartbreaking loss to Denver at the Frozen Four.

Fans of college hockey were treated to a helluva game Thursday afternoon in the Frozen Four matchup between Michigan and Denver.

Unfortunately, for the Wolverines, the ending wasn’t quite what they wanted as the Pioneers scored the decisive goal in overtime to take a 3-2 win, ending Michigan’s season in the national semifinals.

Denver scored in the first period and took a 1-0 advantage into the first intermission. However, Michigan hockey got on the board a few minutes into the second when Jimmy Lambert was able to put it home to even the score at 1-1.

Michigan hockey and Denver moved to the third period tied at 1-1. The Pioneers grabbed the lead but Michigan was once again able to get an equalizer as Thomas Bordeleau scored with just under 10 minutes left to square things at 2-2.

Denver got two power-play opportunities down the stretch, yet Michigan was able to kill both, which eventually sent the game to overtime where Carter Savoie found the back of the net to put home the game-winner.

Michigan hockey’s run joins a slew of great runs

It’s a bummer that Michigan didn’t win the national title. The Wolverines had to the team to do it, however, that’s just how it goes sometimes.

But it’s fair to remember what a tremendous athletic year it’s been for the University of Michigan. The hockey team joined the football team in making the final four, while the wrestling team just finished as the national runner-up too.

Michigan basketball advanced to the Sweet 16, while the women’s basketball team made the first Elite 8 in history.

Since 2018, Michigan has reached the final four of its sport in men’s basketball, football, hockey, baseball, and wrestling, not to mention the women’s gymnastics team that won a national championship last year and is poised to win another this spring.

Still, the loss to Denver is going to sting. But it shouldn’t take away from another memorable campaign for the Wolverines and a record 26th Frozen Four appearance.