Michigan seniors leave program better off despite Frozen Four loss

LAS VEGAS – Michigan hockey seniors T. J. Hughes and Josh Eernisse each put on brave faces in their postgame interviews – Eernisse looking into the distance and Hughes tucking his chin to his chest, both answering questions while appearing to hold back emotions.

But just 25 steps away in the Vegas Golden Knights locker room at T-Mobile Arena, which Michigan earned by entering the Frozen Four as the No. 1 overall seed, sobs and tears were flying out. It was easier to count the players who weren't crying than those who were.

Michigan lost 4-3 in double overtime to the 2-seed Denver Pioneers on Thursday, April 9, in the national semifinal of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, but it was hard to see how from the stat sheet – at least, everywhere but the goals. The Wolverines outshot the Pioneers 52-26 overall – including a 21-6 mark in 32 minutes and 35 seconds of overtime –killed every Denver power play and were less than three minutes of regulation play from advancing to the national championship game against Wisconsin, before a tying goal from Denver freshman Clarke Caswell sent the game into overtime and senior Kent Anderson's 2OT goal provided the sudden-death finish. THURSDAY'S HEARTBREAKER: Michigan hockey OT vs Denver Frozen Four recap: DU 4, U-M 3 (2OT) "I thought we were outstanding, and we fought the whole time," Michigan coach Brandon Naurato said after 92:35 of hockey, third-most in a game in Frozen Four history.

"And in hockey and in life, sometimes you do it the right way and you just don't get the bounces, and I think that's real adversity. And then you just keep getting back up. " Those could be encouraging words for Michigan's freshman standouts, such as goalie Jack Ivankovic or forward Adam Valentini.