Frozen Four 2022: Final Results, Scores, Highlights and Twitter Reaction
Apr 8, 2022
Denver's Carter Savoie (8) celebrates his winning goal with Bobby Brink (24) and Cole Guttman (19) in overtime during an NCAA men's Frozen Four semifinal hockey game against Michigan, Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Only two teams remain.
The first two games of the NCAA men's hockey Frozen Four were decided Thursday night, with Denver and Minnesota State advancing to Saturday night's national championship.
Below, we'll break down the scores and highlights from a memorable evening on the ice.
Denver def. Michigan, 3-2 (OT)
The Frozen Four didn't waste much time delivering the drama.
Denver's Carter Savoie—who has made quite the habit of scoring game-winning goals this season—scored 15 minutes into overtime to give his side a 3-2 win over Michigan.
It’s still crazy that Carter Savoie wasn’t even invited to Team Canada’s selection camp for the World Juniors. If NHL teams hold back some of their kids in August, he should be at the front of the line to replace them.
Really rounded out his game this year. Should be proud.
OT WIN! Carter Savoie has been the playoff hero and he does it again! Left on the doorstep by the nation's point leader Bobby Brink.#PioneerTogether#9sports#FrozenFour
"Words can't really describe that," Savoie said of his clinching goal in his postgame interview. "I just jumped into [Bobby Brink's] arms there, he made a great play. Great feeling."
Ryan Barrow, on Savoie: “It’s what he does. He scores big goals.”
Very little separated this teams Thursday. Denver outshot Michigan 33-21, with Wolverines goalie Erik Portillo making an impressive 30 saves.
Michigan also had to erase two separate deficits after Brett Stapley opened the game's scoring in the first period and Cameron Wright gave Denver the lead again in the third.
1st goal of the Frozen Four goes to @DU_Hockey's BRETT STAPLEY!!!
But Michigan's Jimmy Lambert pulled the game even at one apiece in the second period, while Thomas Bordeleau answered Wright's goal four minutes later.
Michigan's nine men's hockey championships still ranks first all-time. But the Wolverines haven't added to that tally since the 1997-98 season. It's fair to say the proud Michigan hockey program has found itself in a title drought.
Minnesota State def. Minnesota, 5-1
The Frozen Four's second matchup had a bit less drama.
The Land of 10,000 Lakes belongs to Minnesota State after Thursday's convincing 5-1 win over Minnesota.
While Matthew Knies opened the scoring for the Golden Gophers in the first period, the Mavericks responded with five unanswered goals, including a three-goal outburst in the final period.
Minnesota State 5, Minnesota 1. The Mavericks secure the biggest win in program history and will look to top it Saturday. A complete team effort all the way through. Shots were 32-17. One hiccup was all they allowed themselves. Incredible performance from start to finish.
Five different players—Benton Maass, Reggie Lutz, Ondrej Pavel, David Silye and Brendan Furry—scored for Minnesota State, while Dryden Mckay turned away 16 of the 17 shots he faced.
Minnesota State has now won 18 straight games. One more, and a Minnesota State team that only reached the Frozen Four for the first time last year will conclude its season for the ages.
Awaiting them will be one of college hockey's true blue bloods in Denver, which has won eight men's titles.
In the 2022 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship, four teams have powered their way through the tournament. That sets the stage for some exciting Frozen Four matchups, beginning with a pair of semifinal games on Thursday...
UMass Beats St. Cloud State 5-0 in 2021 NCAA Men's Hockey Championship
Apr 11, 2021
Massachusetts's Matthew Kessel (4) celebrates with Oliver Chau (20) after scoring against St. Cloud State during the first period of the NCAA men's Frozen Four hockey championship game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
For the first time in program history, Massachusetts is a national champion.
The Minutemen took down St. Cloud State 5-0 in the NCAA men's hockey championship on Saturday at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, atoning for their loss to Minnesota-Duluth in the 2019 title game.
St. Cloud State, on the other hand, has to wait at least another year to lift its first trophy. Head coach Brett Larson can still be content after having delivered the most successful season ever for the Huskies.
UMass narrowly escaped another defeat to Minnesota-Duluth in the semifinals. The Bulldogs led 2-1 entering the third period, and that remained the score until Anthony Del Gaizo leveled things up at the 8:25 mark. Garrett Wait's overtime tally sent the Minutemen into the final.
St. Cloud State dispatched of Minnesota State by scoring five goals. The four goals the Huskies surrendered proved to be a harbinger of things to come, however.
Whatever Greg Carvel told his players prior to Saturday's game worked, as Massachusetts jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening frame and doubled its advantage in the second period.
Ryan Sullivan and Aaron Bohlinger combined on the breakaway for Bohlinger's opener with 7:26 off the clock. Only 64 seconds in the period remained before Reed Lebster was in the right place at the right time to poke home Cal Kiefiuk's pass.
With UMass playing down a man, Philip Lagunov added some flair when he made it a 3-0 game. The senior forward used some nifty stickwork to elude Nick Perbix and then sneaked the puck between the pads of David Hrenak.
Falling into a three-goal deficit in the national championship is obviously not what you want to happen. Mike McMahon of College Hockey News explained the scale of the task that laid ahead for St. Cloud State:
Goes without saying, but the next goal in this game is huge.
Filip Lindberg has given up more than 3 goals ONCE in his entire college career. A loss to BC in November.
He has played 49 career games and he's given up 3 goals or less in 48 of them.
The Minutemen then got to enjoy a power play of their own after the Huskies were penalized for having too many men on the ice. Matthew Kessel capitalized on the situation as he found himself in a lot of space and fired a slap shot past Hrenak.
With little doubt about the outcome, Bobby Trivigno added a fifth for UMass at the 6:00 mark of the third period.
When Carvel arrived at UMass ahead of the 2016-17 campaign, the Minutemen lost at least 22 games for three straight years. They proceeded to go 5-29-2 in his first year in charge.
It's difficult to overstate the scale of the job he has done since. UMass won its opening-round Hockey East tournament series against Vermont in 2017-18 and reached the Frozen Four the following season.
Following that run, the school extended Carvel's contract through 2024. His deal isn't close to expiring just yet, but he may have already coached his way into a new one because he has clearly laid the groundwork for something special in Amherst.
Frozen Four 2021: St. Cloud State, UMass Advance to Men's Championship Game
Apr 8, 2021
St. Cloud State's Nolan Walker (20) is greeted by teammates after scoring against Minnesota State to break a tie with less than a minute left in an NCAA men's Frozen Four hockey semifinal in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 8, 2021. St. Cloud State won 5-4 to advance to the championship game Saturday. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
After multiple rounds full of drama in the NCAA men's ice hockey tournament, there was no shortage of excitement heading into the Frozen Four.
None of the four top seeds in the field reached the national semifinals, which provided an opportunity for three clubs to try to win their first championship. The fourth team is used to the surroundings, with Minnesota Duluth seeking its third straight title.
Things still needed to be settled on the ice at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on Thursday night with the championship game set for Saturday.
Here is what you need to know from the latest action.
Frozen Four Results
Saint Cloud State def. Minnesota State, 5-4
UMass def. Minnesota Duluth, 3-2 (OT)
Recap
Saint Cloud State 5, Minnesota State 4
Nolan Walker helped Saint Cloud State continue its dream postseason with a go-ahead goal with 52.3 seconds left.
With the game tied 4-4 in the final minute, Seamus Donohue fired it at the net before Walker deflected it in for the game-winner.
St. Cloud St. appeared on its way to an easy victory after a hot start that put the Huskie up 3-1 halfway through the game.
The Huskies were expected to have a tough time scoring without the injured Easton Brodzinski (broken leg), the squad's leading goal scorer on the year. Minnesota State goalie Dryden McKay is also one of the best in the country at his position and arguably the top overall player in the Frozen Four.
This didn't seem to make a difference as captain Spencer Meier scored less than four minutes into the game, while Kyler Kupka also found the back of the net in the first period:
Good start for St. Cloud State as they get the early lead and have been able to control the puck a bit more. Bit of a nervy start for Minnesota State as they were a little shaky in their own end leading to the penalty and a few turnovers. St. Cloud's speed noticeable early.
Smith tied the game for Minnesota State in the first, but Kupka's goal came just 10 seconds later to regain the lead.
Will Hammer added to his team's lead in the second period, as it was clear generating offense would not be an issue. Of course, Minnesota St. wasn't going to go down without a fight.
The Mavericks fought back with a pair of goals in the second period, with Nathan Smith scoring a power-play goal to tie it:
Dallas Gerads gave Minnesota State its first lead in the third period, but it was short-lived as Joe Molenaar later tied it at 4-4.
It was a thrilling battle throughout, but St. Cloud came through with the clutch play late to win the semifinal.
UMass 3, Minnesota Duluth 2
UMass avenged its loss in the 2019 title game and the team is now one game away from its first-ever title after beating Minnesota Duluth in overtime Thursday.
Just like the first semifinal, a late goal broke the tie after a close battle throughout. This time around it wasGarrett Wait, who scored in thefirst overtimeto give the Minutemen the win.
While Minnesota Duluth had been the aggressor earlier in the game, UMass had the better chances in overtime before finally finding the back of the net.
UMass utterly dominated the OT period. Whoever prepared the intermission Gatorade deserves a raise. Plain and simple.
UMass was shorthanded entering the game with four players ruled out due to COVID-19 protocols, perRich Thompsonof theBoston Herald. This absences included starting goalie Filip Lindberg and leading scorer Carson Gicewicz.
It forced backup Matt Murray into the net with everyone else having to step up offensively.
Murray did his part while finishing with36 savesinthe game, although Minnesota Duluth was able to score on rebounds in each of the first two periods:
Both teams had several chances to win the game over the final 10 minutes of regulation, while there were no shortage of chances in overtime either.
It ended up being Waitthat earned the win for his team with a goal he will never forget.
Minnesota Duluth wascoming off a five-overtime game that resulted in an upset win over No. 1 seed North Dakota. This time around, the squad wasn't able to get the clutch goal late and will fall short of a title for the first time since 2017.
NCAA Frozen Four Hockey 2021: Schedule, Bracket, Odds, Live Stream, Predictions
Apr 8, 2021
Minnesota-Duluth forward Nick Swaney (23) skating against the Nebraska-Omaha during an NCAA hockey game on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/John Peterson)
All four of the No. 1 seeds in this year's NCAA men's ice hockey championship have been eliminated. However, there's still a quartet of strong teams that will battle it out in the Frozen Four this week in an attempt to end the 2020-21 season as national champions.
A trio of No. 2 seeds (Massachusetts, Minnesota State and St. Cloud State) and No. 3-seeded Minnesota Duluth will be the four teams competing in the Frozen Four semifinals on Thursday. The winners will advance to the championship game on Saturday night, and all of the action will be taking place at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
Minnesota Duluth has won the national title three times in program history (all coming since 2011), including in each of the past two tournaments in 2018 and 2019. (The 2020 tourney was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.) The Bulldogs are looking to become only the second team to win three straight national titles, joining Michigan, which won from 1951-53.
Here's everything else you need to know heading into this year's Frozen Four.
2021 Frozen Four Schedule, Odds
Thursday, April 8
No. 2 Minnesota State (-1.5) vs. No. 2 St. Cloud State, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN2
No. 2 Massachusetts vs. No. 3 Minnesota Duluth (-1.5), 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Considering the success that Minnesota Duluth has had in recent years, it's not a surprise that it's the favorite to win the championship now that the Frozen Four field is set. The Bulldogs are also coming off an incredible 3-2 win in five overtimes over North Dakota, which was the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament.
That's the only game that Minnesota Duluth has played so far, as its first-round matchup against Michigan was canceled due to multiple positive COVID-19 tests within the Wolverines' program. Still, the Bulldogs weren't rusty when they returned to the ice. And they needed endurance to outlast North Dakota in a game that didn't end until Minnesota Duluth freshman forward Luke Mylymok scored the game-winning goal 2 minutes, 13 seconds into the fifth extra period.
Will the Bulldogs keep that momentum going? Massachusetts is a strong team, but it announced that it will be without four players for Thursday's game, including its leading scorer (redshirt senior forward Carson Gicewicz) and its starting goalie (junior Filip Lindberg).
With the Minutemen being short-handed, it's likely that the Bulldogs are going to handily win this semifinal matchup. And with that, Minnesota Duluth will advance to the championship game for the fourth straight tournament.
"We have a chance," Bulldogs coach Scott Sandelin said, per Matt Wellens of the Duluth News Tribune. "We got through the last game, and we put ourselves in a position to have a chance and that’s all you can ask for. It's a great opportunity and a lot of hard work ahead. As long as you have a chance, you can do it."
As for the other semifinal matchup, Minnesota State and St. Cloud State have each put up a lot of offense on its path to the Frozen Four. Minnesota State has defeated Quinnipiac and Minnesota, outscoring those two teams 8-3. Meanwhile, St. Cloud State owns tournament victories over Boston and Boston College, winning by a combined score of 10-3.
While Minnesota Duluth has won three national titles, the other three remaining teams have never won the championship.
Minnesota State vs. St. Cloud State should be a competitive game, and it will likely be decided by only one goal. But it will be Minnesota State, which is 22-4-1 this season, that keeps its impressive run going with a victory and advances to the national championship game.
However, it will be Minnesota Duluth that again ends the season as the national champions. Sandelin has the leadership to guide the team to the title, and the Bulldogs have already been tested with a five-overtime game against the top-seeded team in the tournament.
So, Minnesota Duluth will complete the three-peat, and it will do so by handily winning the next two games.
Prediction: Minnesota Duluth wins its third straight national title
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Ex-OSU Hockey Player Al Novakowski Details Alleged Sexual Abuse by School Doctor
Dec 18, 2020
Ohio University's Schottenstein Center is still under construction Tuesday, Sept. 29, 1998, in Columbus, Ohio. The multi-purpose arena is scheduled to open Oct. 30, 1998. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)
Former Ohio State hockey player Al Novakowski says he was sexually abused by Buckeyes team doctor Richard Strauss during his time at the school.
Novakowski told Aaron Portzline of The Athletic he was in a meeting with a counselor and his wife after undergoing multiple back surgeries when he first revealed he was sexually abused.
Strauss, who killed himself in 2005, is alleged to have assaulted at least 360 students from 1978 to 1998. An Ohio State investigation found allegations of Strauss' abuse were known within the university, but officials did not report him to authorities or make attempts to stop any assaults. Earlier this year, the school reached a $40.9 million settlement in a lawsuit filed by victims.
"That's what gets me beyond the point of humiliation and makes me angry. They knew about him and what he was doing. Are you kidding me? Are you f--king kidding me? That was it for me," Novakowski said.
Novakowski said the abuse began during his initial freshman physical while Strauss said he was checking for a hernia. The pattern followed in subsequent checkups—even ones that were simply for minor injuries.
"A shot goes off my foot in practice and it's really, really bruised up," Novakowski said. "So why is he checking me for a hernia? That was every physical, no matter what was wrong with you. So you found ways to avoid him, even if you probably could have really used the help of a doctor.
"You didn't want to get hurt. You didn't want to have to go see Strauss."
Novakowski said he informed former Ohio State coach Jerry Welsh he was uncomfortable with Strauss, but nothing was done. Novakowski says Welsh dismissed his concerns, saying he was making excuses for his poor play on the ice.
"[Welsh] basically told me that my game sucked and I needed to worry about my on-ice game, not the doctor. He didn't want to talk about nothing. He was mad at me because I wasn't playing well. He felt that I wasn't living up to the big plans they had for me," Novakowski said.
Welsh says Novakowski never brought any concerns to light. He added that no player ever came forward with their allegations, even though Novakowski said all players felt the physicals were "weird."
Novakowski was kicked off the team during his sophomore season. He said he began drinking heavily as a result of the abuse, and that caused his play on the ice to suffer, ultimately leading to his dismissal.
Former BU Hockey Player Travis Roy Dies at 45; Paralyzed in 1st Game in 1995
Oct 29, 2020
FILE— In this April 15, 2015, file photo, former Boston University hockey player Travis Roy poses in his apartment in downtown Boston. Roy, who was paralyzed 11 seconds into his first game and went on to be a motivational speaker and advocate for the disabled, has died. He was 45. The BU athletic department confirmed his death in a statement posted on Facebook. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
Former Boston University hockey player Travis Roy has died at the age of 45.
BU Athletics released a statement confirming the death of Roy, who was paralyzed just 11 seconds into his first collegiate game before becoming an advocate for spinal cord injury survivors and a motivational speaker:
"It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Travis Roy. His story is the epitome of inspiration and courage, and he was a role model and a hero to so many people. Travis’ work and dedication towards helping fellow spinal cord-injury survivors is nothing short of amazing. His legacy will last forever, not just within the Boston University community, but with the countless lives he has impacted across the country. Our sincere thoughts are with his wonderful family as well as his vast support group of friends and colleagues."
The NHL and Boston Bruins President Cam Neely also released statements:
A family spokesperson told Doug Most of Bostonia, which is Boston University's Alumni Magazine, that Roy died following complications of being a quadriplegic for 25 years.
Jimmy Golen of the Associated Press noted Roy crashed into the boards during the 1995-96 season opener against North Dakota. While it left him paralyzed, Roy created the Travis Roy Foundation in 1997 to raise money for research and equipment for those who suffered spinal cord injuries.
The Foundation raised more than $9 million.
Roy graduated from BU with a communications degree in 2000, and the hockey program retired his number in 1999. He also received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at BU’s 2016 commencement.
Most noted the city of Boston and BU declared Oct. 20 "Travis Roy Day," and the Bruins signed him to a one-day contract.
What's more, anonymous donors provided $2.5 million to create the Travis M. Roy Professorship at Sargent College.
Minnesota Duluth's Scott Perunovich Wins Hobey Baker Award
Apr 12, 2020
Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs' Scott Perunovich (7) during an NCAA hockey game against the Miami RedHawks, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2019 in Oxford, Ohio. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Minnesota Duluth defenseman Scott Perunovich, a two-time NCAA national champion, has won the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the best player in Division I men's hockey.
Perunovich beat two other Hobey Hat Trick finalists—North Dakota forward Jordan Kawaguchi and Maine goalie Jeremy Swayman—to become the third defenseman in the last four seasons to win. He's the ninth defenseman and sixth Minnesota Duluth player to take the award since its inception in 1981.
Perunovich was an integral part of the Bulldogs' back-to-back national championship teams in 2018 and 2019, amassing 14 goals, 41 assists and a plus-31 during that two-year span.
He had another exceptional junior season with six goals, 34 assists and a plus-18 rating, helping UMD earn the fourth spot in the last USCHO.com poll of the year. The 21-year-old also finished tied for 10th in D-I in scoring.
The Bulldogs looked primed to make a serious run at a third straight championship, but the NCAA canceled the remainder of the postseason in mid-March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Perunovich will now take his talents to the St. Louis Blues, who drafted him 45th overall in 2018. He agreed to a two-year contract with the team.
As for the finalists, Kawaguchi and Swayman did not go home empty-handed.
Both were named first-team All-Americans, and Swayman was given the Mike Richter Award as NCAA Division I men's hockey's best netminder.
Minnesota Investigating Ex-Hockey Coach Thomas Adrahtas for Alleged Sexual Abuse
Feb 24, 2020
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 17: A game puck sits on the ice on a play stoppage during the second period of the annual NCAA hockey game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans during the Duel in the D at Little Caesars Arena on February 17, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. The Wolverines defeated the Spartans 4-1. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
The University of Minnesota is reportedly investigating allegations of sexual misconduct levied against former assistant men's hockey coach Thomas Adrahtas.
Katie Strang of The Athletic reported the news, noting Adrahtas was an assistant on the team for the 1984-85 season. Last Friday, Strang reported several people accused Adrahtas, who had an "abrupt exit" from the Gophers, of sexual abuse.
Minnesota athletic director Mark Coyle distributed a letter announcing the investigation that said, "I write to you and your 1984-85 hockey teammates to say that I deeply regret any such harm that may have occurred within Golden Gopher Athletics."
The email also said Minnesota has hired the Perkins Coie law firm to complete the investigation.
"We are also asking you, as former members of the Men's Hockey team that year, to please bring forward any information you have related to these allegations by contacting the Perkins Coie team," Coyle wrote in the letter.
In addition to his time at Minnesota, Adrahtas coached in the North American Hockey League and at Robert Morris University in Illinois.
He is also suspended from coaching USA Hockey-sanctioned teams while SafeSport, which investigates reports of sexual misconduct under the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, investigates allegations from a number of former players in the 1980s.
Strang noted the ongoing SafeSport investigation started in September 2018 and has included the participation of members of the 1984-85 Minnesota squad.
"One of Adrahtas' former junior hockey players sent a 14-paragraph letter to both the ACHA and Adrahtas' then-employer, Robert Morris University, detailing what he described as a 20-month span of sexual abuse and exploitation in which he was an unwilling participant in sexual acts while bound by the ankles and blindfolded," Strang wrote.
Adrahtas and his attorney denied he sexually abused anyone.
