LAS VEGAS — Johnny Hicks was under siege all night, and never broke.
The Denver goalie had 49 saves, including 21 in overtime, as Denver survivesd Michigan 4-3 in a double-OT thriller on Thursday night at the Frozen Four at T-Mobile Arena.
Outshot by a 2-1 ratio over 90 minutes, Denver needed every save Hicks turned away.
“Made) a lot of great saves,” Denver coach David Carle said. “Made the saves you’re supposed to. Made a lot that he wasn’t supposed to.”
The win kept Hicks, a freshman, undefeated in his college career (15-0-1), the only blemish on his record a 2-2 tie at Colorado College on Feb. 6, in which Hicks had 30 saves.
Hicks had 21 saves in overtime on Thursday. If he can add one more win to his unbeaten streak, it will culminate in the Pioneers winning their 11th NCAA championship and third since 2022 under Carle.
“It takes a village,” said Denver senior defenseman Kent Anderson, who scored the game winner at 12:35 of double overtime. “All four lines have contributed all year. Obviously Hickey has been unbelievable.”
Following a collision at the net in the third period with the game tied 2-2, Hicks appeared momentarily to be seriously injured, as he lay motionless on the ice on his back for about 15 seconds. He then sat up on his own power, and after getting to his feet and skating a few laps around the goal area, he was ready to play.
Hicks’s counterpart on the other side of the ice, Jack Ivankovic, turned in a night’s work himself. Ivankovic had 22 saves, including two crucial pad saves in overtime. One save was so quick, more than one Denver player appeared to raise his hands in celebration, thinking the Pioneers had scored.
“He’s been our rock all year,” said Michigan senior center T.J. Hughes. “Such a great goalie. So smart, so poised. Heartbeat of our team.Gave us a chance every night. He played unbelievable tonight, made so many big saves, kept us in it.”