Tristan Broz scored the winning goal with 8:51 to go in overtime to lift Denver to a 2-1 win over Boston University in the opening game of the NCAA Frozen Four on Thursday evening in Saint Paul, Minn.
Broz carried the puck into the offensive zone on a three-on-two rush, waited for an opening and ripped a wrist shot into the net to end the game. Teammates mobbed him in celebration as Boston University players watched teary-eyed from their bench.
Denver advanced to the NCAA championship game on Saturday, when it will meet Boston College, which beat Michigan 4-0 in Thursday’s other semifinal game.
Tristan Lemyre also scored for Denver (31-9-3), which is pursuing its second title in three years after winning it all in 2022. Miko Matikka and Sean Behrens had one assist apiece.
Luke Tuch scored the lone goal for Boston University (28-9-3). Devin Kaplan tallied an assist for the Terriers, who were seeking their first title since 2009.
Denver goaltender Matt Davis stopped 33 of 34 shots in the victory. Boston University goaltender Mathieu Caron turned aside 27 of 29 shots.
The Terriers opened the scoring with 12:15 remaining in the first period.
Tuch put Boston University on top with a short-handed, breakaway goal. He sprinted down the left side of the boards with the puck, carried it over the center line and zoomed into the offensive zone before burying a forehand shot.
Denver pulled even at 1-1 with 4:39 to go in the second period. Matikka handled the puck behind the net and fed a pass to Lemyre, who shoved a shot between Caron’s legs.
Caron made a pair of highlight-reel saves to keep the score tied.
In the final minute of the second period, Denver’s Aidan Thompson received a pass in front of the net and appeared to have an open net for a backhand shot. Caron recovered at the final moment, stretching his glove far to the left to smother the puck.
Caron shined again midway through the third period. He sprawled to his right to stuff a shot by Jack Devine, who had the puck alone in front of the net.
–Field Level Media
