BOSTON — While most were expecting an offensive explosion in Thursday’s opening game of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four between Michigan and Denver, it is defense that has dominated thus far as Denver and Michigan are tied 1-1 through two periods.
It took Michigan 14:04 just to get its first shot of the game, nearly three minutes after Brett Stapley gave the Pioneers the lead at 11:22.
Stapley crashed the net to grab a loose rebound of Justin Lee’s blast from the point, tucking a backhander past Michigan goaltender Erik Portillo.
Early in the second, the Wolverines generated their best offensive chances of the game and, in doing so, drew even at 1-1.
Senior Jimmy Lambert found himself alone in the slot after his linemates drew the Denver defenders below the goal line. Nolan Moyle sent a backhander to the slot that Lambert lifted past Denver netminder Magnus Chrona at 4:03.
The goal woke up the Denver defense, however, as it allowed just one more Michigan shot over the final 15:57 of the second period.
The usually high-flying Michigan offense totaled just five shots in the period as Denver holds a 16-9 shot advantage through two periods.