Frozen Four Semifinals Set After Dramatic Overtime Wins
The NCAA Men's Frozen Four semifinals are set after two thrilling overtime victories Thursday night in St. Paul, Minnesota. Top-seeded Boston College and underdog Denver University advanced to Saturday's championship bracket, keeping hockey fans on the edge of their seats with last-minute heroics.
Boston College defeated Michigan 4-3 in double overtime when sophomore forward Cutter Gauthier scored the game-winner at 12:47 of the second extra period. The Eagles' victory avenged their 2022 championship loss to Michigan and extended their winning streak to 15 games.
Denver upset second-seeded Quinnipiac 2-1 in a single overtime period, with defenseman Zeev Buium netting the decisive goal. The Pioneers, seeking their record-breaking 10th national title, overcame a 33-22 shot deficit with stellar goaltending from Matt Davis.
The Frozen Four is trending nationally as college hockey's premier event reaches its climax this weekend. ESPN reported a 28% increase in viewership over last year's semifinals, reflecting growing interest in the tournament.
Saturday's semifinal matchups (3:30 PM and 7:30 PM ET on ESPN2) feature Boston College versus Michigan State and Denver against Boston University. The championship game will air Monday night at 7 PM ET on ESPN.
Local businesses in St. Paul report record sales as over 18,000 fans packed the Xcel Energy Center. Ticket resale prices have surged above $300 for Saturday's games, with hockey jerseys flying off shelves at team merchandise stands.
The tournament's outcome could impact several NHL teams holding draft rights to standout players. Boston College's Gauthier (Philadelphia Flyers) and Denver's Buium (Detroit Red Wings) have both boosted their professional stock with clutch performances.
College hockey analysts note this marks the first Frozen Four since 2019 without any first-time participants, showcasing the sport's traditional powerhouses. The last three national champions (Denver, Quinnipiac, and UMass) all reached this year's tournament.
Weather forecasts for Saturday's games predict light snow in St. Paul, adding to the authentic Frozen Four atmosphere. Arena officials confirmed they've stocked extra ice resurfacing equipment to handle the expected heavy usage.
Fans unable to attend can watch the games via ESPN's streaming platforms or follow real-time updates through the NCAA's official tournament app. The championship winner will receive the Hobey Baker Award, college hockey's equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.
