Wisconsin and Denver Set for NCAA Hockey Title
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Las Vegas — Wisconsin and Denver advanced to the NCAA men's hockey championship game Saturday at T-Mobile Arena after semifinal victories Thursday, with Wisconsin defeating North Dakota 2-1 and Denver beating Michigan 4-3 in double overtime. Wisconsin's Ryan Botterill scored the decisive goal, while Denver captain Kent Anderson and goalie Johnny Hicks produced pivotal plays to extend Denver's season.
On Saturday, April 11 at 4:30 p.m., Wisconsin (24-12-2) and Denver (28-11-3) will compete for the national title; Wisconsin seeks its first championship in two decades while Denver is chasing a program-record 11th title. Coaches and players, including Wisconsin captain Ben Dexheimer and Denver coach David Carle, provided postgame comments this week about preparation and focus leading into the final.
More context
Timeline
- 1. Early season: USCHO ranked Wisconsin No.13 and Denver No.9 in February.
- 2. Regular season: Both programs completed schedules and entered the NCAA tournament.
- 3. Thursday: Wisconsin defeated North Dakota 2-1 to advance to the final.
- 4. Thursday: Denver beat Michigan 4-3 in double overtime to reach the final.
- 5. Saturday April 11: Championship scheduled at T-Mobile Arena at 4:30 p.m.
Why it matters
This championship game is a big deal for NCAA hockey fans. It's a clash between two top teams, with Wisconsin chasing a long-awaited title and Denver aiming for a record 11th win. If you're a fan, you'll want to tune in on Saturday, April 11 at 4:30 p.m. to see who takes home the trophy.
Sources
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