This year’s Frozen Four is the bluest of blue bloods, the iciest of the icy. Just four Division I programs have six or more NCAA titles in men’s ice hockey: Denver, Michigan, North Dakota and Wisconsin, the 2026 semifinalists.
Denver is going for a third national championship in five seasons, while Michigan seeks its first triumph of the 21st century. Wisconsin skates in off a frenzied overtime upset; North Dakota has yet to allow a single postseason goal. Thursday’s winners will advance to Saturday’s title game. Here’s what to know and when to tune in for the semifinals.
Men’s Frozen Four schedule, semifinals
| Game | Time (ET) | TV | Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wisconsin vs. North Dakota |
5 p.m. |
ESPN2 |
|
|
Denver vs. Michigan |
8:30 p.m. |
ESPN2 |
ESPN programs are also available with an ESPN Unlimited subscription.
What to know about the broadcast
John Buccigross is on the mic for play-by-play. He’s been with ESPN since 1996. Colby Cohen joins for analysis. The former Boston University star scored the championship-winning OT goal in 2009. Quint Kessenich reports from the rink. This trio gets the call for both Frozen Four matchups and Saturday’s finale.
The network’s studio coverage comprises Zubin Mehenti, Andrew Raycroft and Paul Caponigri.
Wisconsin vs. No. 2 North Dakota
The Badgers broke through to the Frozen Four by stunning No. 3 Michigan State. Trailing 3-1 with less than five minutes left, Wisconsin scored two goals across 34 seconds of heat. Overtime lasted a mere 24 seconds — senior defenseman Ben Dexheimer netted the game-winner off a deflection.
In the opening round, Wisconsin beat Dartmouth by a 5-1 final. Simon Tassy notched two goals on eight shots, while Quinn Finley had a goal and two assists. Mike Hastings coaches the nation’s fifth-best scoring offense with the fifth-best faceoff win percentage.
North Dakota is right above the Badgers, third in scoring and fourth on faceoffs. Thus far, the Fighting Hawks have put together a tournament shutout behind goalie Jan Špunar — 3-0 over Merrimack, then 5-0 over Quinnipiac. Up front, forwards Cody Croal and Dylan James have goals in each of the two tournament wins.
Dane Jackson has been in Grand Forks for the last two decades, but this is his first season as head coach.
Freshman defenseman Keaton Verhoeff is No. 5 in The Athletic’s updated NHL Draft rankings. Scott Wheeler praises the Canadian’s ability to anchor the blue line and run the power play.
National championships
Wisconsin: 6 (1973, 1977, 1981, 1983, 1990, 2006)
North Dakota: 8 (1959, 1963, 1980, 1982, 1987, 1997, 2000, 2016)
Denver vs. No. 1 Michigan
With trophy lifts in 2022 and 2024, Denver has overtaken Michigan for the most NCAA titles. This year’s Pioneers skate into the Frozen Four after eliminating No. 4 Western Michigan, the reigning champ, in a surprise 6-2 blowout. Denver scored four goals in the opening period to reach its seventh semifinal in the last 10 tournaments.
Freshman goaltender Johnny Hicks leads Division I in save percentage (a crisp .958 mark) and goals-against average (1.125). Hicks shut out Cornell in a 5-0 cruise in the regional semis, and the win over Western Michigan improved his starting record to an unbelievable 14-0-1. Kieran Cebrian and Sam Harris have goals in both tourney wins. Denver is led by David Carle, the youngest coach to win multiple NCAA championships.
Despite its No. 1 billing, Michigan has the longest championship drought of the remaining quartet. The Wolverines’ last Frozen Four win came under Red Berenson in 2011. They haven’t won it all since 1998, also under Berenson.
With current coach Brandon Naurato, the maize and blue missed the tournament outright last year, only to bounce back as the bracket’s top overall seed. Senior forward T.J. Hughes is third in points per game, with sophomore Michael Hage close behind at seventh. Goalie Jack Ivankovic is 11th in save percentage at .923. As a team, Michigan is No. 1 in scoring offense, power-play percentage and margin of victory.
The Wolverines shredded past Bentley 5-1 in the opening round. The regional final was an unexpected pressure point, though. After scoring three goals in the first period, they allowed Minnesota Duluth to get three back in the third. The defense ultimately held tough for a 4-3 finish.
Like its opponent, Michigan has a standout freshman in Adam Valentini. The Athletic’s draft rankings list him at No. 46, with Wheeler highlighting the Canadian’s playmaking and feel for the game.
National championships
Denver: 10 (1958, 1960, 1961, 1968, 1969, 2004, 2005, 2017, 2022, 2024)
Michigan: 9 (1948, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1964, 1996, 1998)
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