A legendary season ends in a double-overtime thriller. Witness the Wolverines' historic run and heartbreaking defeat against Denver's national champions.
LAS VEGAS — For 94 minutes and 53 seconds, the University of Michigan and the University of Denver engaged in a heavyweight bout that felt less like a college hockey game and more like a test of human will. But in the second overtime of the NCAA National Semifinal at T-Mobile Arena, the clock finally struck midnight on the Wolverines' historic season.
The Pioneers (28-11-3) secured a 4-3 victory over the No. 1 overall seed Michigan (32-8-1), punching their ticket to the National Championship and leaving the Wolverines to wonder what might have been.
A Clash of Powerhouses
Entering the night, the stakes couldn't have been higher. Michigan, seeking its first national title since 1998, boasted the nation’s top-ranked offense and 13 first-round NHL draft picks. Denver, the 2024 champions, held the record for the most titles in NCAA history (10).
The game lived up to the billing immediately. Michigan’s high-octane power play, which operated at a staggering 31.6% during the regular season, struck early. Josh Eernisse found the back of the net to give the Wolverines an initial spark, feeding off the energy of a "Maize Out" crowd that traveled heavily to the Nevada desert.
However, Denver’s defensive structure, led by Hobey Hat Trick finalist Eric Pohlkamp, proved to be the ultimate equalizer. The Pioneers neutralized Michigan’s speed in the neutral zone, forcing the Wolverines into a gritty, board-to-board battle that favored Denver's disciplined system.
The Seesaw Battle
The lead changed hands three times in regulation. Michigan’s Jayden Perron, scored a pivotal goal in the third period to keep the Wolverines neck-and-neck with a relentless Pioneer attack.
In the third period, the tension became palpable. Michigan goaltender Jack Ivankovic, the MVP of the Albany Regional, stood on his head, making 22 saves throughout the contest. Every time Denver seemed poised to pull away, Ivankovic produced a highlight-reel glove save or a sprawling pad stop to keep the dream alive.
With the game tied 3-3 late in the third, Michigan had several golden opportunities to end it.
Overtime Agony
As the game moved into double overtime, the "historic" nature of this Michigan squad was on full display. This was a team that had set program records for wins in a season and dominated the Big Ten tournament. They refused to go quietly.
The end came suddenly at 12:37 left in the second overtime Denver had been gaining momentum and continuing to apply pressure in the Michigan zone when defenseman Kent Anderson stepped up in the slot receiving a beautiful pass, and burying it past Ivankovic.
Legacy of the 2025-26 Wolverines
While the scoreboard showed a loss, the 2025-26 season will be remembered as one of the greatest in the storied history of Michigan Hockey.
No. 1 Overall Seed: The Wolverines held the top spot in the PairWise rankings for the majority of the season.
Offensive Juggernaut: Averaging 4.56 goals per game, they were the most feared scoring threat in the country.
Frozen Four Consistency: This marked Michigan's 29th appearance in the Frozen Four, an NCAA record.
For seniors like T.J. Hughes and Kienan Draper, the loss marks the end of an era. They leave Ann Arbor having restored Michigan to the pinnacle of college hockey, even if the ultimate prize remained just out of reach in the neon lights of Las Vegas.
The Wolverines return home with heads held high, having authored a season that reinforced one simple truth: the block 'M' is back where it belongs—among the elite.