Wisconsin, Denver to Meet in NCAA Title Game

Wisconsin scored twice in 27 seconds in the opening period, with Ryan Botterill's goal standing up as the game-winner, and the Badgers also killed off five power plays to top North Dakota, 2-1, in the early semifinal game of the 2026 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey Frozen Four in Las Vegas.

In the nightcap, Denver's Johnny Hicks made 49 saves in all, and Kent Anderson scored midway through the second overtime to lift the Pioneers to a 4-3 victory over No. 1 Michigan.

Wisconsin and DU will now meet on Saturday (5 p.m. ET, ESPN) at T-Mobile Arena for the national title, in another battle of former WCHA schools. The Badgers (24-12-2 overall) are after their first NCAA crown since 2006, while the Pioneers (28-11-3) are seeking their second NCAA title in three seasons, and third in five campaigns. 

Four NCAA Alumni Named to Hockey Hall of Fame

Four of this year's eight inductees to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, as announced yesterday, have NCAA ties.

• Jennifer Botterill (Harvard) - Tallied 340 points in four seasons with the Crimson and was a four-time First Team All-America Selection. Also earned gold medals in five World Championships and three Olympic Games with Team Canada.

• Brianna Decker (Wisconsin) - Notched 244 points in four campaigns with Badgers, earning All-America accolades twice while also helping Wisconsin to 2011 NCAA title. Six-time gold medalist at World Championships, while also collecting one gold and two silver Olympic medals with Team USA.

• Duncan Keith (Michigan State) - Played parts of two season with Spartans, then went on to win three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks. Earned two Norris Trophies as NHL's best defenseman and the 2015 Conn Smythe Trophy as Stanley Cup Playoff MVP. Played in four NHL All-Star Games, and also won two Olympic gold medals and a World Championship silver medal with Team Canada.

• Jack Parker (Boston University) - Legendary head coach and former BU forward spent 40 years at helm of his alma mater, winning 897 games overall and three NCAA championships with the Terriers. Also guided BU to four ECAC tournament titles and two ECAC regular-season crowns, before winning eight Hockey East regular-season championships and six Hockey East tournament titles, along with 21 Beanpot Tournament trophies. Three-time Spencer Penrose Award winner as the NCAA Coach of the Year.

The HHOF induction ceremony will be held in November.