Second-ranked Michigan closes its weekend at top-ranked Denver on Saturday at 6 p.m. Mountain time (8 p.m. Eastern) at Magness Arena. The game streams on NCHC.tv, with radio through MGoBlue.com.
Where things stand
Michigan is 6-0-0 after a 4-1 win Friday that spoiled the Pioneers’ national championship banner night. Malcolm Spence scored twice, Jayden Perron added his eighth goal of the season, and Cole McKinney also scored. Denver is 2-2-0.
The Wolverines will want a cleaner game. Denver outshot Michigan 25-9 over the final two periods Friday and had six power plays, and only sophomore goaltender Jack Ivankovic’s 27 saves kept the Pioneers to one goal. Michigan took eight penalties.
Injuries and goaltending
Michigan remains without defenseman Landon DuPont, who is injured. Denver starting goaltender Johnny Hicks is also out and hopes to return next weekend, College Hockey News reported, so Tyler Krivtsov, who made 16 saves Friday, is the likely option again for the Pioneers.
The backdrop
This is the first series between the programs since Denver beat Michigan 4-3 in double overtime in last season’s national semifinals on the way to its 11th national title. Michigan’s Perron and Michael Hage were named this week to the U.S. Collegiate Selects roster for the Spengler Cup in December.
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