SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Two late-period goals were all Denver needed for a thrilling 2-1 win over Cornell in the NCAA regional final on Saturday at the MassMutual Center.
Sam Harris redirected a power-play shot by Shai Buium between the pads of Big Red goalie Ian Shane (19 saves) with just 4.8 seconds remaining in the second period to break a 1-1 tie. Shane initially appeared to make the save with his pads, but the puck trickled through and no one from Cornell was there to scoop it to safety before it inched over the goal line.
It was Harris’ first goal of the tournament and 14th on the season.
NCHC champion Denver (30-9-3) advanced to the Frozen Four for the 19th time in program history, and first since 2022, when it won its ninth NCAA championship with a 5-1 win over Minnesota State. ECAC Hockey champion Cornell, looking for its first trip to the Frozen Four since 2003, saw its season end at 22-7-6.
Miko Matikka provided last-minute magic for the Pioneers in the first period, when his wrister from high in the slot got past Shane at 18:28, knotting the game at 1-1.
Nick DeSantis capitalized on a loose puck in front of Denver’s net at 6:44 of the first to put Cornell up 1-0.
Cornell pulled Shane for an extra skater with 2:38 to go in the third period but could not get the equalizer.
Denver goalie Matt Davis finished with 22 saves. The Pioneers will face either Boston University or Minnesota in the Frozen Four on April 11.
This story will be updated.
