Denver Beats Boston University to Advance to National Championship
Denver’s Tristan Broz clinched a dramatic 2-1 victory over Boston University with his second overtime goal of the NCAA Tournament. The No. 3 seed Denver’s triumph propels them into the national championship game, a pinnacle they had last reached in their victorious 2022 campaign.
Denver holds an impressive record of 31-9-3 and is participating in their 19th Frozen Four. The team is now aiming for their 10th national title, a feat that would elevate them above Michigan as the most successful program in college hockey history.
Throughout the season, Denver has demonstrated resilience and strength, with only two losses since the beginning of February. Their recent 14-2-1 streak in the last 17 games showcases their determination and skill in the tournament.
Battle of the Goals
Boston University’s Luke Tuch opened the scoring early in the first period, netting his 10th goal of the season with a remarkable shorthanded play at 7:45. The goal marked BU’s fourth shorthanded goal of the season and the first not scored by Nick Zabaneh. Despite this initial advantage, Boston University (28-10-2) suffered a rare setback, as they had entered the game with an impressive 19-1-0 record when leading after the first period.
Denver fought back, with Tristan Lemyre equalizing the score at 1-all with his second goal of the season. Lemyre seized an opportunity in the open slot to beat BU goalie Mathieu Caron, setting the stage for Broz’s heroics in overtime.
Overtime Heroics
Tristan Broz emerged as the hero of the night by scoring the game-winning goal from the top of the right circle at 11:09 of overtime. Leading a 3-on-2 charge, Broz unleashed a precise wrist shot that found its way through Caron’s pads, securing Denver’s path to the national championship game. The goal marked Broz’s 40th point of the season, highlighting his instrumental role in Denver’s success.
Matt Davis, Denver’s steadfast goalkeeper who made his 25th consecutive start, played a crucial role in the team’s victory by saving an impressive 33 shots throughout the game. Denver’s dominance over Boston University was further underscored by their fifth consecutive win against the Terriers, establishing a new record for the longest winning streak in the series.
The thrilling overtime victory adds another chapter to the Frozen Four’s legacy, following Quinnipiac’s triumph in last season’s national championship game in extra time.
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