Michigan and Denver Clash in Frozen Four Semifinal

Top-seeded Wolverines take on Pioneers in battle of college hockey powerhouses

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:08am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action of a college hockey game, with players and the rink broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette.The Frozen Four semifinal between Michigan and Denver promises a clash of college hockey titans, with both teams seeking to add to their storied legacies.Today in Detroit

The 1-seed Michigan Wolverines (32-7-1) will face off against the 2-seed Denver Pioneers (27-11-3) in the national semifinal of the 2026 NCAA Hockey Tournament on Thursday, April 9, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The winner will advance to the national championship game on Saturday, April 11.

Why it matters

This matchup features two of the most successful college hockey programs of all time, with Michigan and Denver combining for 19 national championships. Both teams are led by Hobey Baker Award finalists, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash between the Wolverines and Pioneers.

The details

Michigan is led by senior forward T.J. Hughes, who ranks second in the NCAA with 56 points this season. Denver counters with defenseman Eric Pohlkamp, who paces the Pioneers with 39 points. The Wolverines are seeking their first national title since 1998, while Denver is looking to add to its record 10 championships, the most in NCAA history.

  • The semifinal game is scheduled for approximately 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 9.
  • The national championship game will take place at 5:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 11.

The players

T.J. Hughes

A senior forward for Michigan and one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, leading the Wolverines with 56 points this season.

Eric Pohlkamp

A defenseman for Denver and one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, leading the Pioneers with 39 points.

Brandon Naurato

The head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, guiding the team to its 29th Frozen Four appearance.

David Carle

The head coach of the Denver Pioneers, leading the program to its 21st Frozen Four appearance.

Jack Ivankovic

The freshman goaltender for Michigan, posting a 25-7-1 record with a .923 save percentage and 2.13 goals-against average.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“He wants to impact the game at both ends of the rink, he does it with a level of abrasiveness that's unique for his position.”

— David Carle, Head Coach, Denver Pioneers

“It's the deepest our team has ever been, the reason being for that is guys accepting roles. Every night that we go by we don't know which line is going to be our first line ... everyone just trying to find value as an individual.”

— Brandon Naurato, Head Coach, Michigan Wolverines

What’s next

The winner of the Michigan-Denver semifinal will face the winner of the North Dakota-Wisconsin semifinal in the national championship game on Saturday, April 11 at 5:30 p.m. ET.

The takeaway

This Frozen Four matchup between two of college hockey's most storied programs promises to be a thrilling clash of talent and experience, with the winner taking a major step towards claiming the national championship.