2 hours ago - Sports

Frozen Four pits Denver against fellow blue blood Michigan

Esteban L. Hernandez

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Denver hockey players in white and red celebrate at the boards after a goal, high-fiving and skating, as cheering fans in red raise hands behind the glass. — DU players celebrate a goal against Cornell at Blue Arena in Loveland last month. Photo: Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Three things in life are certain: Death, taxes and the University of Denver Pioneers making the Frozen Four.

The big picture: The Pios are in the final four of men's NCAA hockey for the third consecutive season.

DU faces the University of Michigan on Thursday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Why it matters: It's a matchup pitting two of the sport's blue bloods.

State of play: Before Denver (27-11-3) can seek its 11th national title, it must stop the No.1-seeded Michigan Wolverines (31-7-1), who are chasing a 10th national crown to tie DU's record tally.

Between the lines: DU junior defenseman Eric Pohlkamp — a Hobey Baker award finalist — leads the team in scoring with 18 goals, while freshman forward Clarke Caswell has tallied a team-high 25 assists this season.

Goaltender Johnny Hicks has posted a remarkable 14-0-1 record. The undersized freshman leads the NCAA with a 1.12 goals-against average.

Flashback: Denver last played Michigan in the 2022 Frozen Four, clinching a 3-2 overtime win en route to the Pioneers' ninth national title.

How to watch: Thursday, 6:30pm on ESPN2.

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Frozen Four pits Denver against fellow blue blood Michigan

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