The University of Denver hockey team (2-0-0) lost to the University of Michigan (4-0-0) 4-1 on Oct. 16 at Magness Arena.
Before the game, Denver raised its 11th NCAA national championship banner to celebrate the team’s 2026 Frozen Four victory.
Michigan won the opening faceoff to start the game.
Early in the first period, the Crimson and Gold put pressure on Michigan, as both teams battled back and forth. Denver maintained possession in Michigan’s defensive zone during the opening minutes.
Michigan took a 1-0 lead after Jayden Perron scored 8:25 minutes into the period.
Michigan kept pressuring Denver, but the Crimson and Gold held their ground defensively.
Denver received its first power-play opportunity with 1:29 second remaining in the period, but were unable to capitalize.
Denver entered the second period down 1-0.
Denver came out ready to put up a fight against Michigan. The Crimson and Gold started the period on the offensive, pushing forward during the first five minutes.
Freshman defenseman Daxon Rudolph put a shot towards the net and nearly scored, but Michigan’s goaltender stood their ground.
With a penalty on Michigan, Denver tried to capitalize on the power play, but could not get the puck into the back of the net. The Crimson and Gold recorded two shots on goal within the first two minutes of the period.
Denver struggled to maintain possession and build consistent offensive plays, with the team appearing to have difficulty connecting passes. The team tried to come together, but after multiple power play opportunities, they couldn’t seem to score.
Michigan extended its lead when Malcolm Spence scored 10:18 minutes into the second period, leaving the Crimson and Gold down 2-0, headed into the third period.
Michigan scored their third goal at the 7:47 mark of the third period. Michigan’s Cole McKinney, extended their lead to 3-0.
Denver continued to struggle to create scoring opportunities near Michigan’s goal, but the Crimson and Gold kept pushing for chances with 10 minutes remaining in the game.
Junior goaltender Tyler Krivtsov made several saves against Michigan’s shots. Coach David Carle decided to make a strategic change, pulling Krivtsov to add another offensive player in an attempt to close the gap.
The Crimson and Gold started gaining traction and scored their first goal of the game. Sophomore forward Kyle Chyzowski scored a goal with an assist from sophomore forward Clarke Caswell, cutting Michigan’s lead to 3-1.
The goal gave Denver a chance to build momentum in the s final minutes of the game.
With only 1:39 remaining in the third period, Spence scored his second goal of the game into the empty net, securing Michigan’s 4-1 victory.
Denver is set to play Boston College on Oct. 23 at Magness Arena.
